Yellow water-lily Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 2,547 found this helpful

All plant parts contain toxic nuphar alkaloids that disrupt cardiovascular regulation

Exposure may trigger tachycardia and either elevated or reduced blood pressure

Clinical management relies on prompt decontamination and targeted symptomatic care

FAQ

Is Yellow water-lily toxic to Humans?

Tachycardia, abnormally elevated or reduced blood pressure (Moderate)

Is Yellow water-lily toxic to Cats?

No species-specific toxicity data documented; monitor for cardiovascular irregularities if ingestion occurs (Unknown)

Is Yellow water-lily toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific toxicity data documented; monitor for cardiovascular irregularities if ingestion occurs (Unknown)

Is Yellow water-lily toxic to Horses?

No species-specific toxicity data documented; monitor for cardiovascular irregularities if ingestion occurs (Unknown)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

Tachycardia, abnormally elevated or reduced blood pressure

Cats

Unknown

No species-specific toxicity data documented; monitor for cardiovascular irregularities if ingestion occurs

Dogs

Unknown

No species-specific toxicity data documented; monitor for cardiovascular irregularities if ingestion occurs

Horses

Unknown

No species-specific toxicity data documented; monitor for cardiovascular irregularities if ingestion occurs

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts are toxic

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary confirmed high-risk exposure route; skin contact with damaged plant tissue may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsNupharin; β-Nupharidin; Desoxynupharidin (α-Nupharidin)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water immediately after ingestion
• Collect any remaining plant material for formal identification
• Avoid inducing vomiting unless explicitly directed by a medical/veterinary professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed or suspected ingestion by pets or grazing livestock
• Observation of abnormal heart rate, dizziness, or weakness after exposure
• Persistent adverse symptoms that do not resolve after initial first aid

Prevention

• Avoid planting this species in ponds accessible to unsupervised children, pets, or grazing livestock
• Train foragers to distinguish this toxic lily from edible aquatic plant species
• Wear protective gloves when handling cut or damaged plant material

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer gastrointestinal decontamination (activated charcoal, gastric lavage) as clinically appropriate
• Provide targeted supportive care to stabilize heart rate and normalize blood pressure
• Monitor cardiovascular function continuously for 24 to 48 hours post-exposure to detect delayed effects

Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameNuphar lutea (L.) Sm. (synonym: Nymphaea lutea L.)

AliasesBrandy-Bottle、Great pond lily、Yellow pond lily

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsUnknown

DogsUnknown

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

HeartCardiovascular systemBlood vessels

Mechanism of Action

• Nuphar alkaloids interact with cardiovascular regulatory pathways, disrupting normal control of heart rate and vascular tension

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: No confirmed toxicity cases on record, but ingestion of large quantities is expected to trigger similar cardiovascular adverse effects as seen in humans

Sheep and goats: Smaller body size increases risk of severe cardiovascular effects even with low to moderate ingestion volumes

Small pet mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): Very low ingestion amounts may lead to life-threatening heart rate and blood pressure abnormalities

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Nuphar species Nuphar spp.

Closely related aquatic lilies in the same genus with very similar visual characteristics, many also contain toxic nuphar alkaloids; definitive differentiation requires detailed morphological analysis

Nymphaea hybrid water lilies Nymphaea spp. hybrids

Common ornamental pond lilies grown in the same habitat range, many also have toxic profiles; distinguished by narrower petal shapes and wider range of flower color variants

Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Blue Egyptian water lily

Nymphaea caerulea

Moderate toxicity

White water lily

Nymphaea alba

Low to moderate toxicity

American spatterdock

Nuphar advena

Low toxicity

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

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.