American Linden Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 3,078 found this helpful

Tilia americana is confirmed non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per official ASPCA assessments

No harmful toxic principles have been identified in any part of this plant species

Incidental ingestion of leaves, flowers, or bark does not cause adverse health effects in common domestic animals

FAQ

Is American Linden toxic to Humans?

No expected adverse effects from casual ingestion; extremely large consumption may rarely cause mild, self-limiting gastrointestinal upset (Non-toxic)

Is American Linden toxic to Cats?

No toxic symptoms associated with ingestion of this plant (Non-toxic)

Is American Linden toxic to Dogs?

No toxic symptoms associated with ingestion of this plant (Non-toxic)

Is American Linden toxic to Horses?

No toxic symptoms associated with ingestion of this plant (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No expected adverse effects from casual ingestion; extremely large consumption may rarely cause mild, self-limiting gastrointestinal upset

Cats

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms associated with ingestion of this plant

Dogs

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms associated with ingestion of this plant

Horses

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms associated with ingestion of this plant

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo parts of this plant are considered toxic to humans or common domestic/livestock animals

Exposure RouteNo toxic exposure routes identified for this non-toxic species

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic principles identified per ASPCA toxicology evaluations

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Monitor for rare mild gastrointestinal discomfort if very large quantities are ingested
• Offer small amounts of fresh water if mild throat or stomach irritation is suspected
• No emergency intervention is required for typical small-volume ingestion

Contact Vet Immediately

• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy lasting longer than 24 hours after ingesting large amounts
• Unusual behavioral changes that cannot be linked to other known causes post-consumption

Prevention

• No specific prevention measures required for this non-toxic plant
• Limit access to all plant matter for young pets/livestock to avoid overconsumption-related mild digestive upset

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care only if mild gastrointestinal symptoms appear
• No targeted antidote is needed as no toxic compounds are present

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameTilia americana

AliasesAmerican Basswood、Basswood、White Linden

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No organs are at risk of damage from exposure to this plant

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism identified, as the plant contains no harmful compounds for assessed species

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: No known toxicity; very large consumption may cause mild, transient bloat in rare cases

Sheep: No identified toxic effects from consumption of any part of Tilia americana

Poultry: No adverse effects reported from incidental ingestion of leaves or flowers

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

European Linden Tilia platyphyllos

Visually nearly identical to American Linden with overlapping cultivation ranges; key difference is European Linden has larger, hair-covered leaf undersides, and is also non-toxic

White Basswood Tilia heterophylla

Often misidentified as Tilia americana due to matching leaf shape and flower clusters; key difference is silvery-white leaf undersides, and it is also non-toxic

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Related Toxic Plants

Cotton

Gossypium hirsutum

Moderate toxicity (gossypol in seeds causes organ damage in livestock and pets)

Portia Tree

Thespesia populnea

Low to Moderate toxicity (toxic sap and seeds cause gastrointestinal and skin irritation)

Flannel Weed

Sida cordifolia

Moderate toxicity (contains ephedrine-like alkaloids that cause cardiac and nervous system harm)

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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.