Woodland crocus Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 2,665 found this helpful

All parts of Crocus tommasinianus are toxic, with safranal identified as the primary toxic compound.

Ingestion causes cerebral symptoms and gastrointestinal distress in small mammals, plus uterine stimulation in cats and guinea pigs.

It is easily confused with the severely toxic Colchicum autumnale, which poses life-threatening poisoning risk if misidentified.

FAQ

Is Woodland crocus toxic to Humans?

No specific human toxicity data documented; potential gastrointestinal upset, dizziness if large quantities are ingested (Moderate)

Is Woodland crocus toxic to Cats?

Uterine excitation if ingested, plus expected gastrointestinal irritation including vomiting and diarrhea (Moderate)

Is Woodland crocus toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific data documented; expected mild gastrointestinal distress if ingested (Low)

Is Woodland crocus toxic to Horses?

No species-specific data documented; expected gastrointestinal irritation and abdominal pain if ingested in large quantities (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

No specific human toxicity data documented; potential gastrointestinal upset, dizziness if large quantities are ingested

Cats

Moderate

Uterine excitation if ingested, plus expected gastrointestinal irritation including vomiting and diarrhea

Dogs

Low

No species-specific data documented; expected mild gastrointestinal distress if ingested

Horses

Low

No species-specific data documented; expected gastrointestinal irritation and abdominal pain if ingested in large quantities

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsWhole plant

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure route is ingestion of any plant part; skin contact may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsCrocin (carotenoid glycoside pigment); Picrocrocin (terpene glycoside saffron bitter compound); Safranal (terpene aldehyde, primary toxic agent); Saponin (concentrated in plant corms)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining plant material after ingestion
• Induce vomiting only if explicitly advised by a medical or veterinary professional within 1 hour of ingestion
• Collect remaining plant material for formal identification to guide appropriate treatment

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet, especially a pregnant cat, has ingested any amount of this plant
• If you observe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, unusual excitement, or abdominal pain after exposure
• If you suspect the ingested plant may have been misidentified as the highly toxic Colchicum autumnale

Prevention

• Keep this and other Crocus species out of reach of pets, particularly pregnant female animals
• Learn to distinguish this species from the highly toxic autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) to avoid accidental exposure
• Do not consume any part of wild Crocus species unless positively identified as safe by a botanical expert

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform decontamination (e.g. activated charcoal administration) as appropriate for the exposure timeline
• Provide symptomatic and supportive care, including administration of extra fluids to prevent dehydration
• Monitor for cerebral, gastrointestinal, or reproductive symptoms and treat adverse effects as they arise

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCrocus tommasinianus Herb.

AliasesTommasini's crocus、Early crocus、Tommasinis Krokus (German common name)、Crocus de Tommasini (French common name)、Croco di Tommasini (Italian common name)

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsModerate

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractCentral nervous systemReproductive system (uterus)

Mechanism of Action

• Safranal, a terpene aldehyde formed by hydrolysis of picrocrocin, is the primary driver of toxic effects

• Saponins in the plant corms contribute to gastrointestinal tract irritation

• Toxic compounds stimulate contraction of uterine muscle tissue in sensitive species including cats and guinea pigs

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Mouse: Cerebral symptoms and gastrointestinal distress after ingestion

Guinea pig: Uterine stimulation if ingested

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Crocus species Crocus spp.

Visually very similar flowers; toxicity levels vary widely across Crocus species, so all wild Crocus should be treated as potentially toxic unless confirmed safe

Autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale

Highly visually similar to Crocus species; Colchicum autumnale is severely toxic, posing life-threatening poisoning risk if misidentified as an edible or low-toxicity Crocus

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Related Toxic Plants

Saffron crocus

Crocus sativus

Low to Moderate toxicity

Iris

Iris spp.

Moderate to High toxicity

Gladiolus

Gladiolus spp.

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.