Angular Solomon's seal Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 3,092 found this helpful

All plant parts are toxic, with the highest concentration of toxins found in the berries

Ingestion leads to gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal colic

Berries are easily confused with non-toxic blueberries due to overlapping ripening periods

FAQ

Is Angular Solomon's seal toxic to Humans?

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal colic after ingestion of any plant part, especially berries (Moderate)

Is Angular Solomon's seal toxic to Cats?

Expected gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, limited documented cases available (Moderate)

Is Angular Solomon's seal toxic to Dogs?

Confirmed vomiting, diarrhea and colic in reported veterinary poisoning cases (Moderate)

Is Angular Solomon's seal toxic to Horses?

Expected gastrointestinal distress including diarrhea and colic if significant quantities are ingested (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal colic after ingestion of any plant part, especially berries

Cats

Moderate

Expected gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, limited documented cases available

Dogs

Moderate

Confirmed vomiting, diarrhea and colic in reported veterinary poisoning cases

Horses

Moderate

Expected gastrointestinal distress including diarrhea and colic if significant quantities are ingested

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, particularly the berries

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

Toxic CompoundsSteroid saponins

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting only if ingestion occurred within 2 hours and the affected individual is fully alert and conscious
• Rinse the mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove remaining plant residue
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant to enable accurate identification for medical/vet staff

Contact Vet Immediately

• If any symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy) develop after ingestion
• If a child, pet or grazing animal ingested any part of the plant, especially berries
• If the affected individual shows signs of dehydration or difficulty breathing after exposure

Prevention

• Train foragers to distinguish its berries from blueberries prior to consuming wild foraged fruit
• Keep potted or garden-planted specimens out of reach of young children and pets
• Avoid planting this species in pastures or grazing areas accessible to horses, cattle or sheep

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer activated charcoal to absorb unprocessed toxins as directed by a healthcare or veterinary provider
• Provide symptomatic care including anti-emetics, anti-diarrheals and fluid therapy to manage gastrointestinal distress
• Monitor electrolyte levels and hydration status for 24 to 48 hours after severe vomiting or diarrhea

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NamePolygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, Polygonatum officinale All.

AliasesScented Solomon's seal、Echtes Salomonssiegel (German)、Sceau de Salomon odorant (French)、Sigillo di Salomone comune (Italian)

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractDigestive system

Mechanism of Action

• Steroid saponins irritate the gastrointestinal mucosal lining, causing inflammation, cramping and excess fluid secretion

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Ingestion of large quantities is expected to cause severe gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea and colic

Sheep: Low risk of severe poisoning, but small quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset including loose stools

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Common blueberry Vaccinium myrtillus

Berries ripen at the same time as Angular Solomon's seal berries; blueberries are non-toxic while Solomon's seal berries are toxic. Solomon's seal berries grow on hanging herbaceous stalks, while blueberries grow on woody shrub branches.

Other Polygonatum species Polygonatum spp.

Other species in the Polygonatum genus share nearly identical foliage and berry appearance, and most have comparable moderate toxicity profiles.

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Related Toxic Plants

Lily of the valley

Convallaria majalis

Highly toxic

Asparagus fern

Asparagus setaceus

Moderately toxic

Common yucca

Yucca filamentosa

Moderately toxic

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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.