Black Calla — (c) sjajuga, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by sjajuga
Photo by (c) sjajuga, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by sjajugaiNaturalistCC BY
dog safety reference

Is Black Calla safe for dogs?

Arum palestinum

Arum palestinum is a tuberous perennial known for its striking, dark purple-black spathe. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation upon contact with mucous membranes.

Arum palaestinumArum palestinumBlack CallaSolomon's Lily
Light
Bright indirect light
Habit
Tuberous perennial
Care
Moderate

Safety status

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.

What this means for your dog

Dogs — toxic. Black Calla's insoluble calcium oxalate crystals release on chewing and immediately sting a dog's mouth, tongue, and throat. Dogs are more likely than cats to take a large bite before backing off, so a single chew can produce a dramatic foaming-and-pawing reaction even though serious systemic toxicity is uncommon.

What to watch for

Most common: foaming at the mouth, pawing or rubbing the muzzle on the floor, vocalizing in pain, and vomiting. Watch for swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty swallowing, and refusal of food or water. Rarely, upper-airway swelling can compromise breathing.

Time window

Oral burning starts within minutes of the bite, since damage is from physical crystal injury rather than absorbed toxin. Most dogs recover within 24 hours with supportive care; visible oral swelling can take 1–2 days to settle.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or the ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) right away if drooling is persistent, your dog is retching, the mouth or tongue looks swollen, or breathing changes. Severe oral swelling or any breathing trouble means call now, not later.

First aid at home

Per Pet Poison Helpline, do not induce vomiting at home and do not give hydrogen peroxide without first speaking to a poison control specialist or veterinarian. Wipe any loose plant material from the mouth if you can do so safely, and bring a piece of the plant for identification.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

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.

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 typically results in immediate discomfort due to the release of 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

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Black Calla

Same dog verdict

Related plants for dogs