Erect clematis Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 2,587 found this helpful
Clematis recta L.
1

All fresh parts of erect clematis contain toxic protoanemonin, while fully dried plant material is non-toxic

2

Birds face severe, life-threatening toxicity risk from ingesting even small amounts of fresh plant material

3

Exposure symptoms include gastroenteritis, blood in urine, potential seizures and paralysis

FAQ

Is Erect clematis toxic to Humans?

Gastroenteritis, hematuria (blood in urine), possible seizures and paralysis (Moderate)

Is Erect clematis toxic to Cats?

No specific clinical data available; expected to cause gastrointestinal irritation, urinary symptoms and potential neurological effects consistent with protoanemonin exposure (Low)

Is Erect clematis toxic to Dogs?

No specific clinical data available; expected to cause gastrointestinal irritation, urinary symptoms and potential neurological effects consistent with protoanemonin exposure (Low)

Is Erect clematis toxic to Horses?

No specific clinical data available; expected to cause gastrointestinal irritation, urinary symptoms and potential neurological effects consistent with protoanemonin exposure (Low)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans
Moderate

Gastroenteritis, hematuria (blood in urine), possible seizures and paralysis

Cats
Low

No specific clinical data available; expected to cause gastrointestinal irritation, urinary symptoms and potential neurological effects consistent with protoanemonin exposure

Dogs
Low

No specific clinical data available; expected to cause gastrointestinal irritation, urinary symptoms and potential neurological effects consistent with protoanemonin exposure

Horses
Low

No specific clinical data available; expected to cause gastrointestinal irritation, urinary symptoms and potential neurological effects consistent with protoanemonin exposure

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll fresh parts of the plant; fully dried plant material is non-toxic
Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary exposure route; contact with fresh plant sap may cause mild skin irritation
Toxic CompoundsProtoanemonin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • Remove any remaining fresh plant material from the mouth of the exposed individual immediately
  • • Rinse the mouth and any sap-exposed skin with clean, cool water
  • • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or veterinarian
  • • Document the amount ingested and time of exposure to share with medical providers

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • Confirmed ingestion of fresh plant material by pets, livestock or young children
  • • Appearance of symptoms including vomiting, blood in urine, seizures or muscle weakness
  • • Ingestion of large quantities of unidentified clematis plant material

Prevention

  • • Keep fresh erect clematis plants out of reach of pets, children and livestock
  • • Never feed fresh cuttings of this plant to any animal, especially birds
  • • Confirm full identification of foraged plant material before use to avoid accidental ingestion

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Administer decontamination measures such as activated charcoal as directed by a medical provider
  • • Provide targeted symptomatic and supportive care for presenting symptoms
  • • Monitor urinary and neurological function for 24-48 hours post-exposure
Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameClematis recta L.
AliasesGround virginsbower
Toxicity Grade
HumansModerate
CatsLow
DogsLow
HorsesLow
Target Organs
Gastrointestinal tractKidneys/urinary tractNervous system
Mechanism of Action

• Protoanemonin causes direct irritation to the mucosal membranes of the gastrointestinal tract upon ingestion

• Systemic absorption of the compound leads to damage of the urinary tract and disruption of nervous system function

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Birds: Severe (+++) toxicity; ingestion of even small quantities of fresh plant material can cause life-threatening symptoms rapidly
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other clematis species Clematis spp.
Most other Clematis species have very similar leaf and flower morphology, and most also contain toxic protoanemonin, making visual differentiation difficult for non-experts
Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

Download on the App Store

Data Sources

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

View Full Plant Wiki
PlantFun

PlantFun

⭐ 4.9 rating · AI toxicity check

Get App