Delphinium spp. is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The reported severity is critical. Also known as Larkspurs, Larkspurs and Monkshoods and Upland Larkspur.
This plant is known to be potentially deadly!
If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.
Colic Drooling Tremors Stiffness Weakness Recumbency Seizures Cardiac Failure Respiratory Paralysis Death Paralysis Bloat Incoordination Cardiovascular Collapse
The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.
Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus.
All parts of these plants are considered toxic to humans, especially the younger parts, causing severe digestive discomfort if ingested, and skin irritation. Larkspur, especially tall larkspur, is a significant cause of cattle poisoning on rangelands in the western United States. Larkspur is more common in high-elevation areas, and many ranchers delay moving cattle onto such ranges until late summer when the toxicity of the plants is reduced. Death is through cardiotoxic and neuromuscular blocking effects, and can occur within a few hours of ingestion. All parts of the plant contain various diterpenoid alkaloids, typified by methyllycaconitine, and are very poisonous.
Also recorded as Delphinium and larkspur.
More from the Ranunculaceae family:
Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.