Wayfaring tree Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,585 found this helpful

Unripe fruits, bark, and leaves are confirmed toxic, while ripe berry toxicity ranges from non-toxic to slightly mild per conflicting literature reports.

Ingestion of toxic plant parts typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms including excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Contact with leaf hairs of closely related Viburnum rhytidophyllum may trigger hives-like allergic skin reactions.

FAQ

Is Wayfaring tree toxic to Humans?

Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea; potential hives-like skin rash from contact with leaf hairs of related hairy-leaf Viburnum species (Moderate)

Is Wayfaring tree toxic to Cats?

Suspected symptoms after ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea; veterinary assessment is recommended for suspected exposure (Low)

Is Wayfaring tree toxic to Dogs?

Suspected symptoms after ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea; veterinary assessment is recommended for suspected exposure (Low)

Is Wayfaring tree toxic to Horses?

Suspected symptoms after ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea; veterinary assessment is recommended for suspected exposure (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea; potential hives-like skin rash from contact with leaf hairs of related hairy-leaf Viburnum species

Cats

Low

Suspected symptoms after ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea; veterinary assessment is recommended for suspected exposure

Dogs

Low

Suspected symptoms after ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea; veterinary assessment is recommended for suspected exposure

Horses

Low

Suspected symptoms after ingestion include excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea; veterinary assessment is recommended for suspected exposure

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsUnripe fruits, bark, leaves; ripe berry toxicity is unconfirmed, with reports ranging from non-toxic to slightly toxic

Exposure RouteIngestion of toxic plant parts; dermal contact with irritant leaf hairs of related Viburnum species

Toxic CompoundsArbutin (hydroquinone glycoside); Viburtinal (iridoid); α-Amyrin; β-Amyrin (triterpenes in bark); Apigenin; Luteolin (flavones); Quercetin; Rutin; Amentoflavon (flavonoids); Saponins; Tannins

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• For ingestion exposure, rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove remaining plant residue
• For dermal contact, wash affected skin immediately with mild soap and cool running water
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a medical or veterinary professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of dehydration following ingestion
• Large quantities of unripe fruit, bark, or leaves have been consumed
• Severe or persistent skin rash, itching, or swelling after dermal exposure

Prevention

• Avoid consuming any parts of the plant, especially unripe fruits, bark, and leaves
• Keep the plant out of reach of pets and young children to prevent accidental ingestion
• Wear protective gloves when handling hairy-leaf Viburnum species to avoid skin irritation

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform appropriate decontamination (e.g. activated charcoal for recent ingestion) as guided by a professional
• Provide symptomatic care including fluid replacement for dehydration and antihistamines for allergic skin reactions
• Monitor the exposed individual for 24 to 48 hours to rule out secondary complications

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameViburnum lantana L.

AliasesWooly Snowball、Small Meal Tree、Lantane Viburnum

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractSkin (dermal exposure)

Mechanism of Action

• Saponins and tannins irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, triggering typical digestive symptoms

• Arbutin is metabolized to hydroquinone, which contributes to tissue irritation when consumed in large enough quantities

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Suspected low to moderate toxicity, ingestion may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal distress

Sheep: Low documented toxicity, rare cases of mild diarrhea after consumption of plant foliage

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Leatherleaf Viburnum Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Closely related species with similar growth and berry structure; key difference is its heavily wrinkled, hairy leaves that can trigger hives on contact

Guelder Rose Viburnum opulus

Related Viburnum species with similar clustered berry growth; key difference is its distinctively lobed, maple-like leaves compared to the unlobed oval leaves of Wayfaring tree

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Related Toxic Plants

Leatherleaf Viburnum

Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Low to Moderate Toxicity

Moderate Toxicity (unripe fruits, leaves, bark)

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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.