The Top Ten Toxic Plants
Highly Toxic Plants
He eliminado dosis no verificadas, tratamientos caseros, la supuesta “resistencia” a la atropina y los síntomas presentados falsamente como específicos de conejos. Esta versión está lista para publicar como guía preventiva.
Spotted Arum
Arum maculatum
Also known as lords-and-ladies or cuckoo-pint.
Typical habitat:
Deciduous woodland, hedgerows, ditches and shaded ground beneath trees and shrubs.
Growth form:
Tuberous herbaceous perennial.
Identification:
Spotted arum usually has glossy, arrow-shaped leaves. Some leaves have dark spots, although completely unspotted leaves also occur. A hood-shaped flower structure appears in spring, followed later by a conspicuous spike of orange-red berries.
Risk of confusion:
Young leaves may be confused with wild garlic or other broad-leaved woodland plants. Wild garlic normally has a distinct leaf stalk and produces a garlic smell when crushed. Smell alone is not a reliable identification method, and wild garlic should not be fed to rabbits either.
Risk to rabbits:
Spotted arum is toxic if eaten and is specifically included in rabbit poisonous-plant guidance.
Safety rule:
Keep rabbits away from the leaves, flowers, berries and underground tubers. (RHS)
Black Henbane
Hyoscyamus niger
Black henbane is uncommon in many areas, but it must be treated as highly dangerous.
Typical habitat:
Disturbed soil, waste ground, rubble sites, roadsides and field margins.
Growth form:
Annual or biennial herbaceous plant.
Identification:
The plant has hairy, sticky-looking leaves. Its pale yellow or cream flowers are marked by a distinctive network of dark purple veins.
Risk to rabbits:
Henbane contains powerful tropane alkaloids that affect the nervous system and other essential body functions. Rabbit-welfare guidance specifically lists henbane as poisonous.
Claims that some rabbits may metabolise atropine differently must never be interpreted as protection from henbane, deadly nightshade, thorn apple or angel’s trumpet.
Safety rule:
Never feed any part of the plant, including its leaves, flowers, roots or seeds. (RHS)
European Yew
Taxus baccata
Yew is an evergreen tree or shrub commonly planted in gardens, parks, cemeteries and hedges.
Typical habitat:
Woodland, gardens, parks, hedges and ornamental plantings.
Growth form:
Evergreen tree, shrub or clipped hedge.
Identification:
Yew has flat, narrow, dark-green needles, usually arranged in two rows along the shoots. Female plants produce red, fleshy arils surrounding a single seed.
Risk of confusion:
Yew may be confused with fir, spruce and other conifers.
Risk to rabbits:
The bark, leaves, needles and seeds are poisonous. The red fleshy aril itself is not considered poisonous, but the enclosed seed is toxic, so the fruit must not be treated as safe. Yew poisoning can affect the heart and may cause rapid collapse or death.
Safety rule:
Prevent access to the entire plant, including fallen needles, berries, twigs and hedge clippings. (RHS)
Monkshood or Wolfsbane
Aconitum napellus and other Aconitum species
Other dangerous species include variegated monkshood and yellow wolfsbane.
Typical habitat:
Ornamental gardens, woodland edges, mountain meadows and moist, partially shaded ground.
Growth form:
Herbaceous perennial.
Identification:
Monkshood has deeply divided leaves and upright spikes of hood-shaped or helmet-shaped flowers. The flowers are commonly blue or purple, although other colours occur.
Risk of confusion:
The foliage may be confused with delphinium, cranesbill and other members of the buttercup family, particularly before flowering.
Risk to rabbits:
Monkshood contains highly toxic alkaloids that can affect the nervous system, muscles and heart. It is specifically listed as poisonous to rabbits.
Safety rule:
Avoid the whole plant. Wear gloves when removing it and ensure that no cut material falls into rabbit-accessible areas. (RHS)
Angel’s Trumpet
Brugmansia species
Angel’s trumpet is a tropical ornamental shrub or small tree.
Typical habitat:
Gardens, patios, conservatories and large containers.
Growth form:
Woody shrub or small tree.
Identification:
The plant produces very large, trumpet-shaped flowers that hang downwards from its branches. The flowers are often strongly scented.
Risk of confusion:
Angel’s trumpet is frequently confused with thorn apple, Datura. Angel’s trumpet usually has hanging flowers and woody stems, while thorn apple generally has upright flowers and remains herbaceous.
Risk to rabbits:
All parts of the plant are highly poisonous. They contain tropane alkaloids capable of disrupting the nervous system, heart and other vital functions.
Safety rule:
Do not keep angel’s trumpet within reach of rabbits. Remove fallen leaves, flowers and pruned branches immediately. (RHS)
Common Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Other foxglove species should also be regarded as poisonous.
Typical habitat:
Woodland clearings, hedgerows, roadsides, partially shaded ground and ornamental gardens.
Growth form:
Biennial or short-lived perennial.
Identification:
Before flowering, foxglove forms a rosette of softly hairy, toothed leaves. Flowering plants produce tall spikes of tubular, thimble-shaped flowers.
Risk of confusion:
Young leaves may be confused with comfrey or borage. Comfrey should not be treated as safe routine forage for rabbits.
Risk to rabbits:
Every part of foxglove contains cardiac glycosides. These compounds can interfere with normal heart function. Rabbit-specific RSPCA guidance states that possible signs include diarrhoea, dehydration, abdominal pain, weakness and an irregular heart rhythm. Severe poisoning may cause tremors or seizures.
Safety rule:
Avoid all fresh and dried material. Contaminated hay must not be fed. (RHS)
Laburnum or Golden Chain
Laburnum species
Laburnum is a popular ornamental shrub or small tree.
Typical habitat:
Gardens, parks, hedges and ornamental plantings.
Growth form:
Deciduous shrub or small tree.
Identification:
Laburnum has leaves consisting of three leaflets. In spring or early summer, it produces long, hanging clusters of bright-yellow, pea-shaped flowers. Flat seed pods develop later.
Risk to rabbits:
The entire plant contains toxic alkaloids. Seeds and seed pods are a particular concern, but leaves, flowers, bark and branches must also be avoided.
Safety rule:
Do not allow rabbits to reach the tree or fallen material. Never place laburnum prunings or hedge clippings in a rabbit enclosure. (RHS)
Autumn Crocus or Meadow Saffron
Colchicum autumnale
Despite its common name, autumn crocus is not a true crocus.
Typical habitat:
Meadows, grassland and moist, sunny or partially shaded ground.
Growth form:
Corm-forming perennial.
Identification:
Pink or purple crocus-like flowers usually emerge in autumn without visible leaves. Broad, thick leaves appear separately in spring.
Risk of confusion:
The spring leaves may be confused with wild garlic or lily of the valley. Autumn-crocus leaves are broad and usually emerge closely together from the ground.
Risk to rabbits:
All parts contain colchicine and are toxic if eaten. Dried plant material may remain dangerous, so contamination of hay is a serious concern.
Safety rule:
Never feed autumn crocus fresh or dried. Discard hay containing suspicious broad leaves or unidentified plant fragments. (RHS)
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Typical habitat:
Shaded woodland, parks, gardens and ground beneath trees or shrubs.
Growth form:
Rhizomatous, mat-forming perennial.
Identification:
The plant produces broad, upright leaves and an arching stem carrying small, fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers. Red berries may appear later.
Risk of confusion:
Young leaves may be confused with wild garlic. Lily-of-the-valley leaves do not smell of garlic and commonly emerge in pairs or small groups from the same shoot.
Risk to rabbits:
Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides and is toxic if eaten. It is specifically identified as a rabbit poison by both the RSPCA and rabbit-welfare guidance.
Safety rule:
Keep rabbits away from the leaves, flowers, berries and underground rhizomes. (RHS)
Black Nightshade
Solanum nigrum
Typical habitat:
Disturbed soil, gardens, field margins, roadsides and waste ground.
Growth form:
Annual or short-lived herbaceous plant.
Identification:
Black nightshade has small, white, star-shaped flowers with yellow centres. The berries usually change from green to black as they ripen.
Risk to rabbits:
The plant contains variable levels of glycoalkaloids. Toxicity can vary according to the subspecies, plant part and stage of growth. Because identification and toxicity are variable, no part should be offered to rabbits.
Safety rule:
Do not attempt to distinguish allegedly less-toxic or edible forms. Treat unidentified black-nightshade plants as unsafe. (RHS)
Bittersweet or Woody Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
Typical habitat:
Hedgerows, woodland edges, riverbanks, damp ground and field margins.
Growth form:
Scrambling or climbing perennial.
Identification:
Bittersweet has purple, star-shaped flowers with prominent yellow centres. Its oval berries change from green through yellow and orange to red.
Risk to rabbits:
The plant contains toxic glycoalkaloids and is harmful if eaten. Nightshades are specifically included in rabbit poisonous-plant guidance.
Safety rule:
Avoid the leaves, stems, flowers and berries at every stage of ripeness. (RHS)
Oleander
Nerium oleander
Oleander is a highly poisonous ornamental shrub.
Typical habitat:
Gardens, patios, conservatories and containers.
Growth form:
Evergreen woody shrub.
Identification:
Oleander has long, narrow, leathery leaves with a prominent central vein. Its flowers may be pink, red, white, cream or yellow.
Risk of confusion:
Young plants may resemble other narrow-leaved shrubs. Oleander leaves are usually arranged in opposite pairs or groups of three.
Risk to rabbits:
All parts contain powerful cardiac glycosides. Fresh and dried plant material remains dangerous. Cardiac-glycoside poisoning can cause digestive disturbance, weakness and potentially fatal heart-rhythm abnormalities.
Smoke produced by burning oleander is also considered harmful.
Safety rule:
Keep the plant and all clippings completely away from rabbits. Do not burn oleander near animals. (RHS)
Delphinium or Larkspur
Typical habitat:
Gardens and parks as ornamental plants.
Growth form:
Herbaceous annual, biennial or perennial, depending on the species.
Identification:
Delphiniums have divided or palmately lobed leaves and tall flower spikes. The flowers are commonly blue, purple, pink or white and often have a backward-pointing spur.
Risk of confusion:
The leaves may resemble those of monkshood, cranesbill and other members of the buttercup family.
Risk to rabbits:
Delphiniums contain alkaloids capable of disrupting normal nerve and muscle function. They are harmful if eaten and are specifically listed as poisonous to rabbits.
Safety rule:
Do not allow rabbits into garden beds containing delphiniums. Remove fallen flowers, leaves and cut stems. (RHS)
Poison Hemlock
Conium maculatum
Poison hemlock belongs to the carrot family and must not be confused with water hemlock.
Typical habitat:
Roadsides, field margins, riverbanks, ditches, waste ground and disturbed soil.
Growth form:
Tall biennial herb.
Identification:
Mature plants have smooth, hollow stems that are commonly marked with reddish-purple spots or blotches. The finely divided leaves and small white flowers resemble those of other members of the carrot family.
Risk of confusion:
Poison hemlock can be confused with cow parsley, wild chervil and other forage plants. Smell is not a safe identification method.
Risk to rabbits:
Poison hemlock is specifically listed as poisonous to rabbits. Its toxins interfere with nerve and muscle function and may cause progressive paralysis.
Safety rule:
Do not collect any white-flowered member of the carrot family unless its identity is completely certain. (RHS)
Water Hemlock or Cowbane
Cicuta virosa
Water hemlock is a different plant from poison hemlock, although both belong to the carrot family.
Typical habitat:
Wet meadows, marshes, ditches, pond edges, riverbanks and waterlogged ground.
Growth form:
Tall herbaceous perennial.
Identification:
The plant has divided leaves and umbrella-shaped clusters of small white flowers. Identification can be difficult because it resembles other members of the carrot family.
Risk to rabbits:
Water hemlock contains a powerful neurotoxin. In animals, poisoning may produce muscle tremors, violent seizures, collapse and rapid death.
Safety rule:
Avoid collecting members of the carrot family from wet areas unless they have been identified by a genuinely knowledgeable person. (RHS)
Thorn Apple or Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
Typical habitat:
Disturbed ground, roadsides, waste areas, rubble sites and occasionally gardens.
Growth form:
Annual herbaceous plant.
Identification:
Thorn apple has large, coarsely toothed leaves, upright trumpet-shaped flowers and egg-shaped seed capsules covered in spines.
Risk of confusion:
The flowers resemble those of angel’s trumpet. Thorn-apple flowers generally point upwards, whereas angel’s-trumpet flowers hang downwards.
Risk to rabbits:
All parts of the plant are poisonous. The seeds are a particular concern. The plant contains tropane alkaloids that can severely disrupt the nervous system and heart.
Safety rule:
Avoid every part of the plant, especially its seeds and seed capsules. Wear gloves when removing it. (RHS)
Deadly Nightshade or Belladonna
Atropa belladonna
Typical habitat:
Woodland edges, open woodland, rocky scrub and partially shaded ground.
Growth form:
Bushy herbaceous perennial.
Identification:
Deadly nightshade has dull-green leaves, brownish-purple bell-shaped flowers and shiny black berries surrounded by a green, star-shaped calyx.
Risk of confusion:
The black berries may be mistaken for edible fruits such as bilberries. Fruit colour alone must never be used to identify a plant.
Risk to rabbits:
Every part of deadly nightshade is poisonous. It contains tropane alkaloids that can affect the nervous system, heart, eyes and digestive system. It is specifically listed as poisonous to rabbits.
Safety rule:
Keep rabbits away from the whole plant and remove any fallen berries from accessible areas. (RHS)
Castor Oil Plant or Castor Bean
Ricinus communis
Typical habitat:
Gardens, flower beds and ornamental containers.
Growth form:
Fast-growing shrub, often cultivated as a large annual in cooler climates.
Identification:
The plant has large, palmately lobed leaves and clusters of prickly seed capsules. The foliage may be green, bronze, red or purple.
Risk of confusion:
Its leaves may superficially resemble those of certain climbing plants. Castor oil plant grows upright and produces distinctive spiny seed capsules.
Risk to rabbits:
The plant is poisonous. Ricin occurs throughout the plant, with the seeds being especially dangerous. Crushing or chewing a seed can release the toxin.
Safety rule:
Do not grow castor oil plants where rabbits have access. Remove all seeds and seed capsules from the surrounding area. (RHS)
Essential Foraging Rules
Only feed a wild or garden plant when:
- its identity is completely certain;
- it is known to be suitable for rabbits;
- it has not been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals;
- it has not been collected beside a busy road or from contaminated ground;
- it is free from mould, rot and animal contamination.
Never rely solely on:
- colour;
- smell;
- a mobile plant-identification application;
- a single photograph;
- the fact that another animal has eaten the plant;
- the belief that rabbits instinctively avoid poisonous plants.
Garden clippings, hedge trimmings, unidentified weeds and unknown houseplants must never be placed in a rabbit enclosure. When in doubt, leave the plant where it is. (RSPCA)
Final Warning
This list is not exhaustive. There are many additional garden, wild and household plants that may be harmful to rabbits.
A plant that is absent from this guide is not necessarily safe. Consult a reliable rabbit-foraging reference or a qualified veterinarian before offering any unfamiliar plant.
