Brazilwood Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,908 found this helpful

Poinciana gilliesii

Toxic to cats and dogs, while horse toxicity status remains unknown

Contains gastrointestinal irritants that trigger oral and digestive tract inflammation post-ingestion

Fatalities have been officially documented in rabbits that consumed this plant

FAQ

Is Brazilwood toxic to Humans?

No formal human toxicity data exists, but ingestion is expected to cause mild oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea (Low)

Is Brazilwood toxic to Cats?

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth/tongue/lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination (Moderate)

Is Brazilwood toxic to Dogs?

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth/tongue/lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination (Moderate)

Is Brazilwood toxic to Horses?

No clinical symptoms reported to date; toxicity status is unconfirmed, exposure is not recommended as a precaution (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No formal human toxicity data exists, but ingestion is expected to cause mild oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea

Cats

Moderate

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth/tongue/lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination

Dogs

Moderate

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth/tongue/lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, possible incoordination

Horses

Unknown

No clinical symptoms reported to date; toxicity status is unconfirmed, exposure is not recommended as a precaution

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts are suspected toxic, with highest irritant concentrations noted in leaves and immature seeds

Exposure RoutePrimary exposure via ingestion of plant material; direct sap contact may cause mild local skin irritation

Toxic CompoundsUncharacterized gastrointestinal irritant compounds

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining plant material from the exposed individual's mouth immediately
• Rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool, clean water to reduce local irritation
• Monitor closely for onset of drooling, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing in the first 30 minutes post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• A cat or dog has ingested any amount of the plant
• Severe symptoms like persistent vomiting, incoordination, or respiratory distress develop
• Small herbivores (e.g. rabbits, guinea pigs) have ingested any plant material

Prevention

• Keep potted Brazilwood out of reach of companion animals and small children
• Avoid planting this species in yards accessible to unsupervised pets or livestock
• Educate household members to recognize the plant and avoid feeding it to any animals

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinary administration of oral protectants to soothe irritated digestive tract lining
• Supportive care including fluid therapy to address dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea
• Symptomatic management of severe adverse effects like incoordination if they occur

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NamePoinciana gilliesii

AliasesBird of Paradise、Poinciana、Barbados Pride

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

Oral cavityEsophagusStomachSmall intestineLarge intestine

Mechanism of Action

• Plant GI irritant compounds trigger inflammation of the oral cavity, esophagus, and gastrointestinal mucosal lining following ingestion

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Rabbit: High toxicity; confirmed fatalities have been reported following ingestion of plant material

Small pet herbivores (guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas): Suspected high toxicity; exposure should be completely avoided due to documented rabbit fatalities

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Bird of Paradise Strelitzia reginae

Confused due to shared 'Bird of Paradise' common name; Strelitzia reginae has large orange-blue crane-like flowers, while Brazilwood has yellow flowers with long red stamens

Dwarf Poinciana Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Visually similar due to shared Poinciana naming and feathery foliage; Dwarf Poinciana has bright orange-red flowers, unlike Brazilwood's yellow blooms

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Related Toxic Plants

Robinia pseudoacacia

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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