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.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, depression
- Onset (typical course)
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
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.
The name "poinciana" is used for more than this species — it also covers Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Barbados Pride, PLANT 181) and royal poinciana (Delonix regia, PLANT 591). Everything on this page refers to Caesalpinia gilliesii; if the botanical name differs, check that plant's own page.
If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
Details
- Scientific name
- Caesalpinia gilliesii
- Common name
- Poinciana
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Toxic parts
- Seeds, All parts
- Compounds
- Alkaloids, Lectins
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Same plant family· Fabaceae
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