Plants Toxic to Alpacas

Paddock Dangers

There are many plants growing in paddocks and gardens that are poisonous to alpacas and these must be removed, including from hedgerows if within alpaca reach. Obviously, prevention is better than cure - there are no antidotes for many of the toxic chemicals contained in these plants. Simple rules can be used to ensure your animals are safe from toxic plants:

  • Do not give your alpacas anything from your garden or any lawn clippings,
  • Be certain that all branches given as feed and trees surrounding your paddocks are safe to eat,
  • Spray out your paddocks with suitable herbicides, including up to one metre across fence lines,
  • If you cannot identify any plant growing in the paddock, remove it - including the roots.

The list of toxic plants is extensive but many of the dangerous species you will come across are shown below. Remember, this list is not exhaustive and many of the plants grown in gardens can be toxic if enough is eaten. Although this list is New Zealand-oriented, many of the plants shown or closely related species are found in similar climates around the world.
Click or tap on the image of the plant for a larger version of the picture. Click or tap on the title of the plant to be taken to an article with further information about the plant.

Important: The contents of this page and links from it are not veterinary advice. If you even suspect that your alpaca has eaten a toxic plant, you must seek veterinary help immediately.

The following plants shown with a red background are extremely toxic.


Image of Angel's Trumpet showing flowers and leaves
Angel's Trumpet
(Brugmansia suaveolens)
Image of an Azalea showing flowers and leaves
Azalea
(Rhododendron sp.)
Image of Box showing flowers and leaves
Box hedging
(Buxus sp.)
Image of Cestrum elegans (Red Cestrum) showing flowers and leaves
Cestrum
(Cestrum elegans)
Image of Datura showing flowers and leaves
Datura
(Datura stramonium)
Image of Hemlock showing leaves and flowers
Hemlock
(Conium maculatum)
Image of Jerusalem cherry showing the leaves and berries
Jerusalem cherry
(Solanum pseudocapsicum)
Image of Ngaio showing berries and leaves
Ngaio
(Myoporum laetum)
Image of Poroporo leaves and flower
Poroporo
(Solanum aviculare)
Image of Ragwort leaves and flowers
Ragwort
(Jacobaea vulgaris)
Image of Rhododendron flowers and leaves
Rhododendron
(Rhododendron sp.)
Image of Tutu showing flowers and leaves
Tutu
(Coriaria arborea)
Image of a Yew tree branch showing needles and berries
Yew
(Taxus baccata)


The following plants shown with a blue background are considered dangerous to the health of your alpacas.

Image of Bracken showing the fronds
Bracken
(Pteridium sp.)
Image of Comfrey showing the leaves and flowers
Comfrey
(Symphytum sp.)
Image of Elderberry showing leaves and flowers
Elderberry
(Sambucus nigra)
Image of the Field Horsetail showing the fronds
Field Horsetail
(Equisetum arvense)
Image of Foxglove showing leaves and flowers
Foxglove
(Digitalis purpurea)
Image of the Inkweed plant showing leaves and berries
Inkweed
(Phytolacca octandra)
Image of the Karaka plant showing leaves and berries
Karaka
(Corynocarpus laevigatus)
Image of Laurel leaves
Common Laurel
(Prunus laurocerasus)
Image of Macrocarpa showing cones and needles
Macrocarpa
(Cupressus macrocarpa)
Image of Pennyroyal showing leaves and flowers
Pennyroyal
(Mentha pulegium)
Image of Willow weed showing the leaves and flowers
Willow weed
(Persicaria persicaria)


The following plants shown with a green background are best removed as they are known to be toxic to some stock.

Image of Snowdrop flowers
Snowdrop
Galanthus sp.
Image of Daffodil plants showing the leaves and flowers
Daffodil
(Narcissus sp.)


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