Billy Buttons Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 1,449 found this helpful

Craspedia glauca Spreng., Craspedia alpina Backh., Pycnosorus globosus Benth., Richea glauca Labill.

No published animal poisoning cases for this plant have been recorded in scientific literature as of 2022

While non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, this plant is not approved for use as animal feed

It can be confused with the toxic plant common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), so accurate identification is critical

FAQ

Is Billy Buttons toxic to Humans?

No documented poisoning symptoms in humans have been reported for this species to date (Non-toxic)

Is Billy Buttons toxic to Cats?

No documented feline poisoning symptoms have been reported for this species to date (Non-toxic)

Is Billy Buttons toxic to Dogs?

No documented canine poisoning symptoms have been reported for this species to date (Non-toxic)

Is Billy Buttons toxic to Horses?

No documented equine poisoning symptoms have been reported for this species to date (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No documented poisoning symptoms in humans have been reported for this species to date

Cats

Non-toxic

No documented feline poisoning symptoms have been reported for this species to date

Dogs

Non-toxic

No documented canine poisoning symptoms have been reported for this species to date

Horses

Non-toxic

No documented equine poisoning symptoms have been reported for this species to date

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic plant parts have been identified; no published records of toxic components in this species as of 2022

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only confirmed potential exposure route for this plant

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic compounds have been formally identified in this species in published research as of 2022

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse the mouth of the exposed human or animal thoroughly with clean water to remove remaining plant material
• Monitor for unusual gastrointestinal discomfort for 2 to 4 hours following suspected exposure
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant for formal identification if any symptoms develop

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your animal has ingested large quantities of the plant and shows signs of gastrointestinal distress
• You cannot confirm the plant is not the visually similar toxic species Tanacetum vulgare
• Your pet develops lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea after suspected exposure to the plant

Prevention

• Confirm full plant identification before allowing pets or livestock to graze in areas where this plant grows
• Do not intentionally feed this plant to any domestic animal, as it is not approved for feed use
• Remove confirmed toxic lookalike Tanacetum vulgare from areas accessible to pets and livestock

Treatment & Prognosis

• Provide supportive care including fluid therapy and gastrointestinal protectants if symptomatic after ingestion
• First confirm plant identification to rule out exposure to the toxic lookalike Tanacetum vulgare
• Monitor organ function as a precaution if very large quantities of the plant were ingested

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCraspedia glauca Spreng., Craspedia alpina Backh., Pycnosorus globosus Benth., Richea glauca Labill.

AliasesDrumsticks、Woollyheads、Kraspedia、Kugelblume、Craspédie globuleuse、Fiore bacchetta

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific organs are known to be targeted by this plant, as no toxic effects have been documented

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism has been identified for this species, as no poisoning events have been formally recorded

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No poisoning cases have been documented, but the plant is not approved for use as livestock feed

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): No documented toxicity cases, but intentional feeding of this plant is not advised

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Billy buttons species Other Craspedia spp.

Other Craspedia species are also non-toxic, visually similar, and share the same common name; no toxicity-related identification concerns exist between these species

Common Tansy Tanacetum vulgare

This toxic species has similar clusters of small yellow flowers; it is distinguished by its finely divided, fern-like leaves, unlike the broader, fuzzy leaves of Craspedia glauca

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Tansy

Tanacetum vulgare

Moderate toxicity

Common Ragwort

Jacobaea vulgaris

High toxicity

Pyrethrum

Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium

Low to moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

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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