Lantana Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 3,933 found this helpful

All plant parts except fully ripe berries are toxic; red-flowering variants are far more toxic than pink-flowering types

The plant is confirmed poisonous to cats, dogs, horses, and multiple livestock species including cattle, sheep, and goats

Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress, weakness, liver failure, and photosensitization depending on consumed quantity

FAQ

Is Lantana toxic to Humans?

No specific human poisoning symptoms documented in provided datasets; avoid ingestion and prolonged skin contact as a precaution (Low)

Is Lantana toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, potential liver damage with large ingestions (Moderate)

Is Lantana toxic to Dogs?

Apathy, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, weakness, potential liver injury with significant exposure (Moderate)

Is Lantana toxic to Horses?

Vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, elevated liver failure risk, and photosensitization (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No specific human poisoning symptoms documented in provided datasets; avoid ingestion and prolonged skin contact as a precaution

Cats

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, potential liver damage with large ingestions

Dogs

Moderate

Apathy, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, weakness, potential liver injury with significant exposure

Horses

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, elevated liver failure risk, and photosensitization

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll parts of the plant, with the exception of fully ripe berries

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary toxic exposure route; prolonged skin contact may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsPentacyclic triterpenoids; Lantadene A (Rehmannic acid); Lantadene B; Lantadene D; Oleanolic acids; Icterogenin; Lantanoic acid

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed individual or animal
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a medical or veterinary professional
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant to confirm identification for treatment providers

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your cat, dog, horse, or other livestock has ingested any part of Lantana camara (other than a tiny amount of fully ripe berry)
• If any symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or facial swelling appear after exposure
• If you are unsure of the quantity of plant material ingested by your pet or livestock

Prevention

• Keep Lantana camara plants out of reach of pets, horses, and grazing livestock
• Avoid planting high-toxicity red-flowering Lantana camara variants in areas accessible to animals
• Wear protective gloves when handling the plant to reduce risk of skin irritation

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer repeated doses of activated charcoal for decontamination as directed by a veterinarian
• Provide sufficient hydration as part of supportive care for affected animals
• Keep exposed animals out of direct sunlight to reduce photosensitization complications
• Provide additional symptomatic care tailored to the individual's presenting symptoms

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameLantana camara

AliasesShrub Verbena、Yellow Sage、Red Sage

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

LiverGastrointestinal tractSkin

Mechanism of Action

• Pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds (primarily lantadenes) cause hepatocellular damage, impairing normal liver function

• Toxins interfere with breakdown of photodynamic compounds in the body, leading to photosensitization in affected animals

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Symptoms include weakness, anorexia, severe depression, impaired rumen motility, constipation or black loose stools, jaundice, and photosensitization

Sheep and Goats: At risk of liver damage, jaundice, and photosensitization following ingestion of toxic Lantana camara variants

Kangaroos: Documented poisoning cases reported, with liver injury and photosensitization as primary presenting symptoms

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Lantana species Lantana spp.

Other Lantana species are visually similar to Lantana camara, but are significantly less toxic; red-flowering L. camara var. aculeata is the highest toxicity variant

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Related Toxic Plants

Trailing Lantana

Lantana montevidensis

Low to moderate toxicity, with significantly lower poisoning risk than Lantana camara

Common Vervain

Verbena officinalis

Low toxicity; large ingestions may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets and livestock

Purple Top Vervain

Verbena bonariensis

Low toxicity; ingestion may cause mild digestive distress in sensitive animals

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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.