Great spearwort Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 4,607 found this helpful

Ranunculus lingua L.

Toxicity arises when the plant is wilted or damaged, as inactive ranunculin converts to the irritant compound protoanemonin.

Dried hay containing the plant is non-toxic, as protoanemonin breaks down to harmless anemonin; silage becomes safe after 2 months of storage.

Ingestion of large quantities (e.g. 2kg for horses) can cause severe symptoms including seizures, paralysis, and rare death from respiratory failure.

FAQ

Is Great spearwort toxic to Humans?

Not explicitly documented, but expected to cause oral irritation, blistering, gastrointestinal upset, and more severe effects if large amounts are ingested. (Low)

Is Great spearwort toxic to Cats?

No species-specific data available; likely causes oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. (Low)

Is Great spearwort toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific data available; likely causes oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. (Low)

Is Great spearwort toxic to Horses?

Mouth/lip blistering, redness and swelling with salivation; gastrointestinal irritation leading to vomiting, diarrhea and colic; weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis; rare death from respiratory paralysis; udder inflammation with reddish, bitter milk in lactating mares. (High)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Not explicitly documented, but expected to cause oral irritation, blistering, gastrointestinal upset, and more severe effects if large amounts are ingested.

Cats

Low

No species-specific data available; likely causes oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested.

Dogs

Low

No species-specific data available; likely causes oral irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested.

Horses

High

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, though its sharp, acrid taste usually limits ingestion to small amounts.

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary exposure route; direct contact may cause mild skin or mucous membrane irritation.

Toxic CompoundsProtoanemonin; Ranunculin (non-toxic precursor); Anemonin (non-toxic protoanemonin dimer)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the affected person/animal's mouth immediately.
• Rinse the oral cavity thoroughly with clean water or milk to reduce mucous membrane irritation.
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a medical or veterinary professional.

Contact Vet Immediately

• If ingestion of more than a small amount of the plant is confirmed.
• If severe symptoms including blistering, persistent vomiting/diarrhea, tremors or seizures appear.
• If the affected animal is a horse that may have eaten 1kg or more of the plant.

Prevention

• Avoid grazing horses or livestock in areas where Great spearwort grows in high density.
• Ensure silage is stored for a minimum of 2 months before use to eliminate toxicity risk.
• Keep the plant out of reach of domestic pets and small children to avoid accidental ingestion.

Treatment & Prognosis

• Decontamination procedures appropriate for the ingested quantity.
• Symptomatic therapy including mucosal protectants to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.
• Antihistamines may be administered if clinically indicated.
• Supportive care for severe symptoms including seizures or respiratory distress.

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameRanunculus lingua L.

AliasesGreater spearwort、Tongue-leaved buttercup

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesHigh

Target Organs

Oral mucous membranesGastrointestinal tractKidneysNervous systemRespiratory systemMammary glands (lactating animals)

Mechanism of Action

• Inactive ranunculin is converted to toxic protoanemonin via enzymatic cleavage when the plant is wilted, crushed or damaged.

• Protoanemonin is a strong irritant that damages mucous membranes of the digestive tract and other organ systems.

• Protoanemonin naturally dimerizes over time to non-toxic anemonin, eliminating toxicity in dried or properly stored forage.

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Similar symptoms to horses; ingestion of large amounts causes oral irritation, gastrointestinal distress, and udder inflammation with discolored, bitter milk in lactating cows.

Sheep and goats: Less susceptible than horses, but may develop mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation if large quantities of the plant are consumed.

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens

Member of the same Ranunculus genus with similar bright yellow flowers; distinguished by its smaller, deeply lobed leaves compared to the long, spear-shaped leaves of Great spearwort.

Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris

Same genus with shared yellow flower structure; differentiated by its divided, palmate leaves versus the entire, lanceolate leaves of Great spearwort.

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Related Toxic Plants

Monkshood

Aconitum napellus

Severe toxicity, potentially fatal even in very small ingested quantities.

Delphinium

Delphinium elatum

High toxicity, particularly dangerous to grazing cattle and horses.

Christmas rose

Helleborus niger

Moderate to high toxicity, can cause severe gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms.

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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.

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