Bird of Paradise Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 2,479 found this helpful

Caesalpinia gilliesii

The plant is confirmed toxic to cats and dogs, while toxicity risk for horses remains unconfirmed

Its suspected active toxic principle is hydrocyanic acid, per ASPCA research data

Ingestion can cause oral irritation, digestive distress, and fatalities have been documented in rabbits

FAQ

Is Bird of Paradise toxic to Humans?

No confirmed human toxicity symptoms are documented, but oral irritation and digestive upset are possible if ingested (Low)

Is Bird of Paradise toxic to Cats?

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination (Moderate)

Is Bird of Paradise toxic to Dogs?

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination (Moderate)

Is Bird of Paradise toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms are documented, exposure risk is currently unknown (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No confirmed human toxicity symptoms are documented, but oral irritation and digestive upset are possible if ingested

Cats

Moderate

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination

Dogs

Moderate

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination

Horses

Low

No confirmed toxicity symptoms are documented, exposure risk is currently unknown

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts are suspected toxic, with seeds and foliage posing the highest exposure risk

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary exposure route; direct contact with damaged plant tissue may cause mild oral or skin irritation

Toxic CompoundsHydrocyanic acid (suspected)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the exposed animal's mouth immediately, rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool clean water
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a licensed veterinarian or animal poison control expert
• Monitor the animal closely for onset of drooling, oral pain, vomiting, diarrhea or unusual behavioral changes

Contact Vet Immediately

• The animal has ingested any quantity of the plant, even if no symptoms are immediately visible
• Symptoms including excessive drooling, oral pain, vomiting, diarrhea or incoordination are observed
• The animal shows signs of difficulty breathing or swallowing after exposure

Prevention

• Keep Bird of Paradise plants out of reach of cats, dogs and other companion animals in both indoor and outdoor spaces
• Label all plants in your home and yard clearly to avoid accidental exposure to pets and young children
• Dispose of pruned plant clippings immediately in sealed containers to prevent unsupervised animal access

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarians will typically administer supportive care including fluid therapy to address dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea
• Oral protectants and pain medication may be prescribed to reduce oral irritation and associated discomfort
• Symptomatic treatment for incoordination or other neurological signs will be provided as needed for severe exposures

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCaesalpinia gilliesii

AliasesPeacock Flower、Barbados Pride、Poinciana、Pride of Barbados

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Oral mucous membranesGastrointestinal tractCentral nervous system (in severe exposure cases)

Mechanism of Action

• Suspected mechanism is exposure to hydrocyanic acid, which irritates mucosal membranes and may disrupt cellular oxygen uptake in severe exposures

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Rabbit: Fatalities following ingestion of Caesalpinia gilliesii have been officially reported per ASPCA data

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): Toxicity risk is unconfirmed, but exposure to plants with suspected hydrocyanic acid content is not recommended for grazing livestock

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Orange Bird of Paradise Strelitzia reginae

Both are commonly sold under the common name Bird of Paradise; key difference is Strelitzia reginae has large banana-like leaves and bright orange-blue flowers, while Caesalpinia gilliesii has fern-like foliage and pale yellow flowers with long red stamens

Dwarf Poinciana Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Both share overlapping aliases including Peacock Flower and Pride of Barbados; key difference is Caesalpinia pulcherrima has bright red-orange flowers, while Caesalpinia gilliesii has primarily yellow flowers

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Related Toxic Plants

Robinia pseudoacacia

High toxicity

Wild Lupine

Lupinus perennis

Moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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