Iron Tree Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,116 found this helpful

ASPCA classifies Ixora coccinea as non-toxic to cats and dogs, with no identified toxic principles.

No animal poisoning cases from this plant are documented in peer-reviewed published literature.

The plant is not suitable for use as feed for any companion or livestock animals.

FAQ

Is Iron Tree toxic to Humans?

No reported human poisoning cases; toxicity to humans is unconfirmed (Unknown)

Is Iron Tree toxic to Cats?

No reported adverse symptoms, plant is confirmed non-toxic to cats (Non-toxic)

Is Iron Tree toxic to Dogs?

No reported adverse symptoms, plant is confirmed non-toxic to dogs (Non-toxic)

Is Iron Tree toxic to Horses?

No documented symptoms, toxicity to horses is currently unstudied (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Unknown

No reported human poisoning cases; toxicity to humans is unconfirmed

Cats

Non-toxic

No reported adverse symptoms, plant is confirmed non-toxic to cats

Dogs

Non-toxic

No reported adverse symptoms, plant is confirmed non-toxic to dogs

Horses

Unknown

No documented symptoms, toxicity to horses is currently unstudied

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic parts identified; no animal poisoning cases are described in published literature (source: Brickell C., 1989 Encyclopedia of Garden and House Plants, Orbis Verlag). The plant is not suitable for use as animal feed.

Exposure RouteIngestion is the only potential exposure route; no adverse effects from casual skin contact are reported.

Toxic CompoundsNo known toxic compounds, classified non-toxic by ASPCA

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• If your pet ingests small quantities, monitor for unusual behavior as a precaution
• Remove any remaining plant material from the animal's mouth if easily accessible
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a veterinarian

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet shows persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after large ingestion
• If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is Ixora coccinea and suspect it may be a toxic lookalike
• If a horse ingests large volumes of the plant, as equine toxicity is unstudied

Prevention

• Do not use Ixora coccinea as a feed source for any companion or livestock animals
• Learn to distinguish Ixora coccinea from its toxic lookalike Hydrangea macrophylla to avoid accidental exposure
• Keep confirmed toxic plants in the Rubiaceae family out of reach of pets and livestock

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care only if minor transient symptoms occur after large ingestion
• Treat for exposure to toxic lookalikes if the ingested plant is confirmed to be a different species
• No specific antidote is required as no toxic compounds have been identified in this plant

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameIxora coccinea

AliasesMaui Sunset、Flame of the Woods

Toxicity Grade

HumansUnknown

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

No target organs identified, no recorded adverse effects on organ function from ingestion

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism identified, as the plant is classified non-toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA data

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): Toxicity unstudied; plant is not suitable for feed, no poisoning cases reported to date

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Toxicity unconfirmed; avoid feeding to small mammals as a precautionary measure

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Ixora species Ixora spp. (excluding Ixora coccinea)

May be confused with Ixora coccinea due to shared genus morphological traits; toxicity of other Ixora species varies and is not fully documented.

Garden Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla

Visually similar due to clustered bright blooms; key difference is garden hydrangea has larger, broader flower clusters and is low-toxicity to pets.

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Related Toxic Plants

Quinine Tree

Cinchona officinalis

Moderate toxicity, can cause cardiac arrhythmia and severe digestive upset in humans and animals

Chacruna

Psychotria viridis

High toxicity, contains hallucinogenic tryptamine compounds that cause severe neurological symptoms in humans and animals

Common Gardenia

Gardenia jasminoides

Low toxicity, can cause mild vomiting, diarrhea and hives if ingested by cats and dogs

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

2. 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.