Poinciana
Caesalpinia gilliesii · Fabaceae
How it looks
Poinciana is a legume-family shrub with fine, feather-like small leaves and red-orange flowers borne in large clusters at the branch tips. Long red stamens project well beyond the flowers. It grows 3-13 ft (1-4 m) tall and is common as a tropical garden shrub.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
The seeds and all other parts of Poinciana contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression 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 Poinciana rarely leads to serious trouble, but its alkaloids and lectins 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
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, depression
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Caesalpinia gilliesii
- Common name
- Poinciana
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Toxic parts
- Seeds, All parts
- Compounds
- Alkaloids, Lectins
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, depression
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Fabaceae
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