Narrow-leaved ragwort / South African ragwort Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 4,783 found this helpful

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxins remain active after drying, ensiling, or cooking, and do not break down during standard feed processing

Pigs, horses, cattle, and chickens are the most sensitive species to its toxic effects, with acute poisoning almost always fatal

There is no curative treatment for confirmed poisoning from this plant, only supportive care is available

FAQ

Is Narrow-leaved ragwort / South African ragwort toxic to Humans?

No confirmed human poisoning cases are on record, but pyrrolizidine alkaloids are known to cause cumulative, irreversible liver damage in humans with repeated exposure (Unknown)

Is Narrow-leaved ragwort / South African ragwort toxic to Cats?

No specific feline toxicity or symptom data is available (Unknown)

Is Narrow-leaved ragwort / South African ragwort toxic to Dogs?

No specific canine toxicity or symptom data is available (Unknown)

Is Narrow-leaved ragwort / South African ragwort toxic to Horses?

Causes seneciosis (Schweinsberger disease); acute cases are fatal within days, while chronic symptoms develop 3 days to 6 months post-ingestion, progressing to death within days in the terminal stage (Severe)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Unknown

No confirmed human poisoning cases are on record, but pyrrolizidine alkaloids are known to cause cumulative, irreversible liver damage in humans with repeated exposure

Cats

Unknown

No specific feline toxicity or symptom data is available

Dogs

Unknown

No specific canine toxicity or symptom data is available

Horses

Severe

Causes seneciosis (Schweinsberger disease); acute cases are fatal within days, while chronic symptoms develop 3 days to 6 months post-ingestion, progressing to death within days in the terminal stage

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, with highest alkaloid concentrations in flowers; young plants are most frequently consumed on pastures, and toxins remain active in dried hay and silage

Exposure RouteIngestion of fresh plant material, or consumption of hay, silage, or processed feed contaminated with the plant

Toxic CompoundsJacobin; Jaconin; Jacodin; Senecionine; Retrorsine; Seneciphylline; Senkirkine; Oxalates

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove all access to the plant or any feed suspected to be contaminated with it
• Collect remaining plant or feed samples for formal species identification
• Monitor exposed animals closely for early signs of abnormal behavior or physical symptoms

Contact Vet Immediately

• Suspected ingestion by sensitive species including horses, cattle, pigs, or chickens
• Observation of symptoms including lethargy, jaundice, weight loss, or reduced appetite post-exposure
• Confirmed contamination of farm or commercial feed supplies with this plant

Prevention

• Regularly survey grazing pastures to identify and manually remove all Senecio inaequidens plants
• Test hay and silage supplies for alkaloid contamination if sourced from regions where this plant is endemic
• Train farm and animal care staff to correctly identify this plant to avoid accidental inclusion in feed

Treatment & Prognosis

• No curative treatment exists for confirmed pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning from this species
• Administer veterinarian-recommended supportive care to reduce liver strain and relieve visible symptoms
• Provide only high-quality, fully uncontaminated feed and water to affected animals for the duration of recovery

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSenecio inaequidens DC.

AliasesSenecio reclinatus auct.、Senecio harveianus auct.

Toxicity Grade

HumansUnknown

CatsUnknown

DogsUnknown

HorsesSevere

Target Organs

Liver

Mechanism of Action

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

• Toxins are heat-stable, so standard feed processing, drying, ensiling, or cooking does not reduce their toxicity

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Pig: Highest sensitivity, toxicity index = 1, ingestion causes seneciosis with high fatality rate

Chicken: High sensitivity, toxicity index = 5, ingestion causes seneciosis

Cattle: High sensitivity, toxicity index =14, ingestion causes seneciosis

Rat: Moderate sensitivity, toxicity index =50

Mouse: Low sensitivity, toxicity index =150

Sheep: Low sensitivity, toxicity index =200, can tolerate low levels of exposure

Goat: Low sensitivity, toxicity index =200, can tolerate low levels of exposure

Wild birds: Very severely toxic (+++ CliniTox grade), ingestion often leads to fatal poisoning

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other ragwort species Other Senecio spp.

Morphologically highly similar to closely related Senecio species, most of which also contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids

St. John's wort species Hypericum spp.

Visually similar growth and flower form, Hypericum species are also toxic to livestock

Meadow hawksbeard Crepis biennis

Similar leaf and flower morphology, but this species is non-toxic to animals

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Related Toxic Plants

Tansy ragwort

Jacobaea vulgaris

Severe

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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.