Sea Squill Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 1,657 found this helpful

All parts of sea squill are highly toxic, with cardiac glycoside concentrations up to 4% in bulb tissue

Ingestion can trigger life-threatening arrhythmias, seizures, and often fatal outcomes even in small doses

It is frequently confused with edible onions, raising the risk of accidental poisoning for foragers

FAQ

Is Sea Squill toxic to Humans?

Anorexia, apathy, ataxia, irregular heart arrhythmias, central nervous system seizures; poisoning often has a fatal outcome (Severe)

Is Sea Squill toxic to Cats?

No species-specific data available; expected symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, arrhythmia, seizures, and potential fatality consistent with cardiac glycoside toxicity (Severe)

Is Sea Squill toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific data available; expected symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, arrhythmia, seizures, and potential fatality consistent with cardiac glycoside toxicity (Severe)

Is Sea Squill toxic to Horses?

No species-specific data available; expected symptoms include lethargy, ataxia, arrhythmia, seizures, and potential fatality consistent with cardiac glycoside toxicity (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Severe

Anorexia, apathy, ataxia, irregular heart arrhythmias, central nervous system seizures; poisoning often has a fatal outcome

Cats

Severe

No species-specific data available; expected symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, arrhythmia, seizures, and potential fatality consistent with cardiac glycoside toxicity

Dogs

Severe

No species-specific data available; expected symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, arrhythmia, seizures, and potential fatality consistent with cardiac glycoside toxicity

Horses

Severe

No species-specific data available; expected symptoms include lethargy, ataxia, arrhythmia, seizures, and potential fatality consistent with cardiac glycoside toxicity

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsWhole plant (all above-ground and below-ground parts, including bulbs)

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure via ingestion; dermal contact with sap may cause mild localized irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsCardiac-active steroid glycosides; Scillaren A; Proscillaridin A

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• If ingestion occurred within 15 minutes and the exposed individual is conscious, induce vomiting safely
• Administer activated charcoal as soon as possible to absorb unprocessed toxins
• Collect a full sample of the ingested plant for accurate identification by medical/vet staff
• Avoid giving any food, drink, or home remedies unless explicitly directed by a professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• Immediately call a medical provider/vet if any amount of the plant is ingested by humans or animals
• Seek urgent care if symptoms including arrhythmia, seizures, loss of coordination, or lethargy appear
• Contact a medical professional if skin irritation lasts more than 10 minutes after washing the affected area

Prevention

• Keep sea squill plants out of reach of children and pets if grown ornamentally
• Never consume wild bulbs resembling onions unless you have 100% certain identification
• Label cultivated sea squill plants clearly to prevent accidental ingestion as edible produce

Treatment & Prognosis

• Prompt gastrointestinal decontamination including emesis, activated charcoal, or gastric lavage if clinically indicated
• Continuous cardiac monitoring and anti-arrhythmic medications to manage heart function abnormalities
• Symptomatic supportive care including anti-seizure medications and fluid therapy as required

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameDrimia maritima (L.) Stearn (synonyms: Scilla maritima L., Urginea maritima (L.) Baker)

AliasesSea onion、Maritime squill、Red squill、European squill、White sea squill、Officinal squill

Toxicity Grade

HumansSevere

CatsSevere

DogsSevere

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

HeartCentral nervous systemGastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• Cardiac steroid glycosides inhibit the Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme in heart muscle cells, leading to life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms

• Toxins also act on the central nervous system, triggering seizures and neurological dysfunction

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): Severe toxicity expected; ingestion of bulbs or foliage can cause sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Highly toxic; ingestion may cause rapid onset of heart irregularities and death within hours

Birds: High toxicity expected; even small doses can trigger acute cardiac failure and rapid death

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Drimia species Drimia spp.

Closely related species have nearly identical bulb morphology; all carry similar severe toxic profiles to sea squill

Common onion Allium cepa

Bulbs are visually almost identical to sea squill; common onions are edible for humans in small amounts, while sea squill is toxic to all species

Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum umbellatum

Bulb and leaf shape closely matches sea squill; it is also toxic but has a lower overall toxicity grade than sea squill

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Related Toxic Plants

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Severe

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus setaceus

Moderate

Common Hyacinth

Hyacinthus orientalis

Moderate

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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.