Australian Ivy Palm
Brassaia actinophylla · Araliaceae
How it looks
Australian Ivy Palm (Schefflera) is a foliage plant with glossy deep-green leaves that spread from the end of a single stalk into 7-9 segments like the ribs of an umbrella, the leaflets gathered in a finger-like arrangement. It reaches about 3-10 ft (1-3 m) tall and is grown indoors like a palm.
Mild caution — stomach irritation
All parts of Australian Ivy Palm contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting and drooling if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Australian Ivy Palm rarely leads to serious trouble, but its insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and saponins can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Oral irritation, vomiting, drooling
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
Details
- Scientific name
- Brassaia actinophylla
- Common name
- Australian Ivy Palm
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, Saponins
- Onset
- Right away to within 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Oral irritation, vomiting, drooling
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Source
- ASPCA
Also known as
Related plants
Same plant family· Araliaceae
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