Lords-and-Ladies — (c) Grzegorz Grzejszczak, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Grzegorz Grzejszczak
Photo by (c) Grzegorz Grzejszczak, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Grzegorz GrzejszczakiNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Lords-and-Ladies

Arum maculatum

Arum maculatum is a tuberous perennial plant known for its distinct hooded spathe and bright red berries. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate irritation upon contact with tissues.

Adam-and-EveArum maculatumCuckoo-pintLords-and-LadiesWake Robin
Light
Partial shade to full shade
Habit
Tuberous perennial
Care
Low

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Catsconcern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

The presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals causes immediate mechanical irritation. If your cat has ingested any part of this plant, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Escalation note

Ingestion leads to immediate tissue irritation due to calcium oxalate crystals. Please consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has chewed or ingested this plant.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Arum maculatum is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs due to the presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific name and taxonomic classification for Arum maculatum L.

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Often compared with

Same safety verdict

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