Paintbrush Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 2,445 found this helpful

All parts of the plant are toxic, containing multiple harmful alkaloids including lycorine and tazettine

Ingestion triggers vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, tremors, and low blood pressure

Skin contact may cause allergic dermatitis, with a documented reaction case reported in dogs

FAQ

Is Paintbrush toxic to Humans?

Vomiting, diarrhea, colic, cardiac arrhythmia, ataxia, seizures, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension, potential allergic contact dermatitis (High)

Is Paintbrush toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, potential neurological and cardiac abnormalities (no species-specific data available, extrapolated from known toxic effects) (Moderate)

Is Paintbrush toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, diarrhea, colic, cardiac arrhythmia, ataxia, seizures, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension, documented allergic dermatitis with redness, papules, pustules, hair loss and skin thickening (Moderate)

Is Paintbrush toxic to Horses?

Abdominal distension, colic, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, ataxia, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension (no species-specific data available, extrapolated from known toxic effects) (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

High

Vomiting, diarrhea, colic, cardiac arrhythmia, ataxia, seizures, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension, potential allergic contact dermatitis

Cats

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, potential neurological and cardiac abnormalities (no species-specific data available, extrapolated from known toxic effects)

Dogs

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, colic, cardiac arrhythmia, ataxia, seizures, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension, documented allergic dermatitis with redness, papules, pustules, hair loss and skin thickening

Horses

Moderate

Abdominal distension, colic, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmia, ataxia, tremors, bradycardia, hypotension (no species-specific data available, extrapolated from known toxic effects)

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant (all tissues are toxic)

Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part, direct skin contact with plant sap or damaged plant tissues

Toxic CompoundsLycorine; Tazettine; Haemanthamine; Hippeastrine; Galanthamine; Montanine; Hippacine; Pancracine; Narciclasine

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water if ingested, remove all remaining plant material from the oral cavity
• Wash affected skin with soap and cool water for 10-15 minutes immediately after skin contact
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or veterinarian
• Collect remaining plant material for formal identification to guide targeted treatment

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of the plant by children, pets or livestock
• Onset of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, skin rash, abnormal heart rate or difficulty breathing
• Signs of neurological impairment such as uncoordinated movement, seizures or sudden lethargy after exposure

Prevention

• Keep the plant out of reach of children, pets and grazing livestock
• Wear disposable gloves when handling the plant to avoid direct contact with sap
• Do not consume any part of the plant, even in small quantities

Treatment & Prognosis

• Decontamination including activated charcoal administration for recent ingestion, gastric lavage if clinically indicated
• Symptomatic supportive care including fluid therapy to correct dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea
• Administer atropine to treat clinically significant bradycardia as prescribed by a clinician
• Treat allergic contact dermatitis with topical or systemic antihistamines or corticosteroids as indicated

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameHaemanthus albiflos Jacq., Haemanthus albomaculatus Baker

AliasesElefantenohr

Toxicity Grade

HumansHigh

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractCardiovascular systemNervous systemSkin

Mechanism of Action

• Alkaloid components irritate gastrointestinal mucosa, causing vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain

• Cardiotoxic alkaloids disrupt cardiac ion channel function, leading to bradycardia, hypotension and arrhythmia

• Neurotoxic alkaloids affect central nervous system function, triggering tremors, ataxia and seizures

• Allergenic components can trigger type IV hypersensitivity reactions leading to contact dermatitis

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Dog: One documented case of allergic contact dermatitis with erythema, papules, pustules, alopecia and lichenification, with positive allergy test result for related Hippeastrum species

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Haemanthus species Haemanthus spp.

Closely related Haemanthus species have nearly identical morphological features, and all carry comparable toxicity risks, leading to frequent misidentification

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Related Toxic Plants

Daffodil

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Moderate to high 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.