Perilla frutescens is toxic to horses. The reported severity is moderate. Also known as Beefsteak Plant and Shiso.
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.
Difficulty Breathing Oral Irritation
The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.
Perilla frutescens, known as zisu in China, as Silam in Nepal, as deulkkae or Korean perilla in Korea, and as egoma in Japan, is a species of Perilla in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is an annual plant native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands, and is traditionally grown in the Korean peninsula, southern China, Vietnam, Japan and India as a crop. A variety of this plant, P. frutescens var. crispa known as "shiso", is widely grown in Japan.
Although perilla is widely cultivated as an edible plant for humans, it is toxic to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. In grazing cattle, plant ketones cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, also called "panting disease". Contact dermatitis may occur in people handling the leaves or oil. Consumption of large amounts of seeds has resulted in anaphylaxis.
Also recorded as Beefsteak, Beefsteak Mint, Beefsteakplant, Chinese Basil, Korean Perilla and Perilla.
More from the Lamiaceae family:
Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.