Alpine Ragwort Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,886 found this helpful

Senecio alpinus (L.) Scop.

All plant parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that remain toxic in hay, silage, and are not destroyed by cooking

Pigs, horses, cattle, and chickens are the most sensitive species, with acute exposure often leading to fatal outcomes

No curative treatment for poisoning exists; immediate removal of contaminated feed is the only critical intervention

FAQ

Is Alpine Ragwort toxic to Humans?

No specific human symptom data documented; pyrrolizidine alkaloids are known to cause irreversible liver damage with repeated exposure (High)

Is Alpine Ragwort toxic to Cats?

No specific cat toxicity symptom data documented in available records (Moderate)

Is Alpine Ragwort toxic to Dogs?

No specific dog toxicity symptom data documented in available records (Moderate)

Is Alpine Ragwort toxic to Horses?

Acute poisoning leads to death within days; chronic seneciosis symptoms appear 3 days to 6 months post-ingestion, progressing to fatal terminal stage in days (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

High

No specific human symptom data documented; pyrrolizidine alkaloids are known to cause irreversible liver damage with repeated exposure

Cats

Moderate

No specific cat toxicity symptom data documented in available records

Dogs

Moderate

No specific dog toxicity symptom data documented in available records

Horses

Severe

Acute poisoning leads to death within days; chronic seneciosis symptoms appear 3 days to 6 months post-ingestion, progressing to fatal terminal stage in days

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant; young plants are most frequently grazed on pastures, flowers have the highest alkaloid concentration

Exposure RouteIngestion of fresh plant, contaminated dried hay, or contaminated silage

Toxic CompoundsJacobin; Jaconin; Jacodin; Senecionin; Retrorsin; Seneciphyllin; Senkirkin; Oxalates

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately stop feeding any feed suspected to be contaminated with this plant
• Collect remaining plant or feed samples for formal identification
• Monitor exposed animals for early signs of lethargy, digestive distress, or jaundice

Contact Vet Immediately

• If any animal is confirmed to have ingested quantities of this plant
• If animals show unexplained weight loss, jaundice, or neurological changes consistent with seneciosis
• If feed supplies are suspected to be contaminated with Senecio species

Prevention

• Inspect pastures regularly to remove all Senecio alpinus plants before grazing seasons
• Test hay and silage for pyrrolizidine alkaloids before feeding to high-risk livestock
• Avoid grazing pigs, horses, cattle, or chickens in pastures with known Senecio infestation

Treatment & Prognosis

• No curative treatment exists for Senecio alpinus poisoning
• Veterinarians may administer supportive care to reduce liver strain in affected animals
• Long-term low-protein diets may be recommended for surviving animals to reduce liver workload

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSenecio alpinus (L.) Scop.

AliasesSenecio cordatus W.D.J.Koch、Senecio cordifolius Clairv.

Toxicity Grade

HumansHigh

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

LiverGastrointestinal tractCentral nervous system (late stage)

Mechanism of Action

• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are metabolized in the liver to reactive intermediates that cause irreversible hepatocellular damage

• Toxins bioaccumulate with repeated low-level exposure, leading to progressive chronic disease over weeks to months

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Pig: Most sensitive species (toxicity index = 1), very high risk of fatal poisoning

Chicken: Highly sensitive (toxicity index = 5), severe poisoning risk

Cattle: Highly sensitive (toxicity index = 14), high risk of chronic and acute fatal poisoning

Rat: Moderate sensitivity (toxicity index = 50)

Mouse: Lower sensitivity (toxicity index = 150)

Sheep / Goat: Lowest documented sensitivity (toxicity index = 200), poisoning only occurs with very high exposure

Wild birds: Very severely toxic, high risk of fatal poisoning even with low exposure

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other ragwort species Other Senecio spp.

Morphologically highly similar to other Senecio species, nearly all of which carry equivalent pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity risks

St. John's Wort Hypericum spp.

Visually similar yellow-flowering herb, also toxic to animals via distinct phototoxic and neurotoxic compounds

Rough hawksbeard Crepis biennis

Visually matching leaf rosette and growth form, but this species is non-toxic to all livestock

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Related Toxic Plants

Common Ragwort

Jacobaea vulgaris

Severely toxic

Ageratina altissima

Severely 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.

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