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AlpacaSafe

Protect Your Herd from Dangerous Plants & Foodstuffs

Alpacas possess delicate 3-chambered forestomachs and unique metabolic sensitivities. Explore our verified database of toxic shrubs, weeds, trees, and improper foodstuffs to keep your pasture safe.

10 Verified Toxic Hazards
Camelid Specific Toxicity Scores

Recent Scans

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Brassica (Seedlings)
8/5/2026 · 2 plants
No plants identified
8/5/2026 · 0 plants
No plants identified
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Severity:
Category:
Oleander
Critical Toxicity
Ornamental Plants

Oleander

Score: 10/10

Nerium oleander

Extremely toxic ornamental shrub. Even a single leaf can be fatal to an alpaca. The toxins cause severe cardiac arrest and gastrointestinal hemorrhaging.

Toxin: Cardiac glycosides (Oleandrin, Neriine)
Details
Red Maple & Maples (Acer)
High Toxicity
Trees & Leaves

Red Maple & Maples (Acer)

Score: 8.5/10

Acer rubrum

Official Alpaca Guild listing includes Acer species. Wilted or dried leaves (fallen in autumn or storm-broken branches) cause severe oxidation of red blood cells in camelids.

Toxin: Gallotanins and oxidant compounds
Details
Oak Leaves & Acorns
Medium Toxicity
Trees & Nuts

Oak Leaves & Acorns

Score: 6.5/10

Quercus spp.

Listed by Alpaca Guild. Eating large quantities of green acorns or spring oak buds causes tannin poisoning which damages the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract of alpacas.

Toxin: Tannins and Quercitrin
Details
Avocado
High Toxicity
Foodstuffs & Fruit Trees

Avocado

Score: 7.8/10

Persea americana

Listed on Alpaca Guild. Alpacas are exceptionally sensitive to persin found in Guatemalan avocado leaves and pits.

Toxin: Persin (fungicidal toxin)
Details
Brassica (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Brussels Sprouts)
Medium Toxicity
Foodstuffs & Vegetables

Brassica (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Brussels Sprouts)

Score: 5.5/10

Brassica oleracea spp.

Featured in Alpaca Guild official guide. Excessive feeding of cruciferous brassica crops causes metabolic disruption in camelids.

Toxin: Glucosinolates and S-methylcysteine sulfoxide
Details
Nightshade & Solanums
High Toxicity
Weeds & Garden Plants

Nightshade & Solanums

Score: 8.2/10

Solanum spp.

Featured in the official Alpaca Guild toxic plant directory. Unripe berries and green foliage contain neurotoxic glycoalkaloids.

Toxin: Solanine and Glycoalkaloids
Details
Rhododendron & Azalea
Critical Toxicity
Shrubs & Trees

Rhododendron & Azalea

Score: 9.5/10

Rhododendron spp.

Rhododendrons and azaleas contain grayanotoxins which disrupt sodium channels in cell membranes. Alpacas find them tempting in winter or early spring when forage is low. Ingestion can be rapidly fatal.

Toxin: Grayanotoxins (Andromedotoxin)
Details
Yew
Critical Toxicity
Evergreens

Yew

Score: 9.8/10

Taxus spp.

Yew poisoning is notoriously swift. Alpacas can die within 1-2 hours of ingestion due to cardiac arrest caused by taxine alkaloids inhibiting cardiac conduction.

Toxin: Taxine alkaloids A and B
Details
Bracken Fern
High Toxicity
Ferns & Weeds

Bracken Fern

Score: 8/10

Pteridium aquilinum

Bracken fern destroys thiamine in the alpaca's digestive system or introduces carcinogenic toxins. Dangerous when invading pastures or accidentally baled into grass hay.

Toxin: Ptaquiloside and Thiaminase (destroys Vitamin B1)
Details
Water Hemlock
Critical Toxicity
Wetland Weeds

Water Hemlock

Score: 10/10

Cicuta maculata

Official Alpaca Guild toxic listing. Alpacas grazing near creeks or swampy pastures may unearth the tuberous roots.

Toxin: Cicutoxin (violent neurotoxin)
Details