Mezereon Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 1,395 found this helpful

All plant parts are toxic, with seeds and bark having the highest toxin concentration; toxins are not inactivated by drying

Ingestion can cause severe symptoms including internal bleeding, paralysis, shock, and potential death in humans and all tested animal species

Immediate medical or veterinary care is mandatory if any amount of the plant is ingested

FAQ

Is Mezereon toxic to Humans?

Fever, vomiting, salivation, difficulty swallowing, cramps, bloody diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, paralysis, hyperthermia, bloody urine, shock, circulatory collapse (Severe)

Is Mezereon toxic to Cats?

Species-specific symptoms not formally documented; expected to align with general mammalian toxicity including vomiting, bloody stool, lethargy, and organ damage (Severe)

Is Mezereon toxic to Dogs?

Species-specific symptoms not formally documented; expected to align with general mammalian toxicity including vomiting, bloody stool, seizures, and circulatory issues (Severe)

Is Mezereon toxic to Horses?

Loss of appetite, colic, movement incoordination, difficulty breathing, fever, diarrhea, potential death in severe cases (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

Fever, vomiting, salivation, difficulty swallowing, cramps, bloody diarrhea, unexplained bleeding, paralysis, hyperthermia, bloody urine, shock, circulatory collapse

Cats

Severe

Species-specific symptoms not formally documented; expected to align with general mammalian toxicity including vomiting, bloody stool, lethargy, and organ damage

Dogs

Severe

Species-specific symptoms not formally documented; expected to align with general mammalian toxicity including vomiting, bloody stool, seizures, and circulatory issues

Horses

Severe

Loss of appetite, colic, movement incoordination, difficulty breathing, fever, diarrhea, potential death in severe cases

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, especially seeds and bark

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure is via ingestion; skin contact with bark or sap may cause local mucosal or skin irritation

Toxic CompoundsMezerein (diterpene ester, concentrated in seeds); Daphnetoxin (concentrated in bark); Resins; Essential oils; Daphnin (coumarin glycoside)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed human/animal immediately
• Rinse skin thoroughly with cool water if exposed to plant sap or bark
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a medical/veterinary professional
• Collect a full sample of the ingested plant to share with care providers for accurate identification

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of any part of the plant, even in small quantities
• Appearance of symptoms including vomiting, bloody stool, difficulty breathing, or uncoordinated movement after exposure
• Exposure to the plant by high-risk groups including children, pets, grazing livestock, or immunocompromised individuals

Prevention

• Avoid planting this species in areas accessible to children, pets, or grazing livestock
• Wear thick protective gloves when handling the plant to avoid contact with toxic sap or bark
• Educate all household members and caregivers about the extreme toxicity of this plant to prevent accidental ingestion

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer gastrointestinal decontamination (e.g. activated charcoal) as directed by a care provider if ingestion occurred recently
• Provide supportive symptomatic care including fluid therapy, bleeding control, seizure management, and shock treatment as needed
• Monitor vital signs and organ function continuously until full recovery is confirmed

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameDaphne mezereum L.

AliasesFebruary daphne、Spurge olive、Spurge flax、Dwarf bay、Wild pepper、Gemeiner Seidelbast、Gemeiner Kellerhals、Beissbeere、Deutscher Pfeffer、Mézeréon、Bois gentil、Dafne mezereo、Camelia

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractCirculatory systemNervous systemKidneysMucous membranesRespiratory system

Mechanism of Action

• Diterpene esters and daphnane toxins cause severe irritation to mucosal membranes and disrupt core cellular function

• Coumarin glycoside daphnin has anticoagulant properties that increase risk of internal and external bleeding

• Toxins are not degraded by drying, so dried plant material remains as toxic as fresh material

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Piglet: Ingestion causes immediate vomiting, with potential rapid death even from small doses

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Common Lilac Syringa vulgaris

Visually similar due to clustered pink/purple spring blooms; key difference is mezereon is a much smaller shrub with toxic red berries, while lilac is non-toxic and produces dry seed capsules

Winter Daphne Daphne odora

Similar fragrant early spring blooms; key difference is D. mezereum has bright red highly toxic berries, while D. odora has less brightly colored, moderately toxic berries

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Related Toxic Plants

Winter Daphne

Daphne odora

Moderately Toxic

Chinese Stellera

Stellera chamaejasme

Severely Toxic

Indian Stringbush

Wikstroemia indica

Moderately Toxic

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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.