Hoary Alyssum — (c) Anders Hastings, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Anders Hastings
Photo by (c) Anders Hastings, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Anders HastingsiNaturalistCC BY
Pet safety reference

Hoary Alyssum

Berteroa incana

Hoary Alyssum is a hardy, herbaceous plant often found in fields and roadsides, known for its small white flowers. It is generally considered safe for pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Berteroa incanaFalse AlyssumHoary Alyssum
Light
Full sun
Habit
Upright herbaceous
Care
Low

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Uncertain

Identity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.

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

Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.

Escalation note

Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.

Escalation note

Under review — original classification flagged as a likely labeler error pending curator verification.

Safer alternatives

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

The ASPCA lists Hoary Alyssum (Berteroa incana) as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online: Berteroa incana

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Provides the accepted botanical nomenclature and distribution for Berteroa incana.

cats safety pagedogs safety page

Questions about Hoary Alyssum

Is Hoary Alyssum safe for cats?

The safety of Hoary Alyssum (Berteroa incana) for cats is currently uncertain. The classification is under review following a provenance audit in May 2026, which flagged the original labeling as a likely error; a confident verdict is not available at this time.

What symptoms might a cat show after eating Hoary Alyssum?

Specific symptoms for cats are not documented for Hoary Alyssum at this time — the classification data is under curator review and the original symptom record has been flagged as unreliable. If your cat has eaten this plant, watch for general signs of GI upset such as vomiting, drooling, or lethargy and contact your vet.

What should I do if my cat ate Hoary Alyssum?

Because the toxicity status of Hoary Alyssum for cats is currently unresolved, treat any ingestion with caution: remove your cat's access to the plant, note the amount eaten, and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian for guidance tailored to your cat's size and the quantity consumed.

Why doesn't Hoary Alyssum have a clear toxicity rating for cats?

As of a May 2026 ASPCA provenance audit, the original classification for Hoary Alyssum and cats was flagged as a likely labeler error and is pending curator verification. Until that review is complete, no confident safety verdict — toxic or non-toxic — can be assigned to this plant.

Is Hoary Alyssum safe for dogs?

The safety of Hoary Alyssum for dogs is currently uncertain. Its classification is under review due to a likely labeling error, and no verified symptom or toxicity data is available as of the last audit (May 2026). Until this is resolved, treat the plant as unverified and keep dogs away from it.

What happens if my dog eats Hoary Alyssum?

Specific symptoms are not documented for this plant — the existing data is flagged as unreliable pending curator review. If your dog has eaten Hoary Alyssum, watch for common signs of GI upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, and contact your vet if any symptoms appear.

What should I do if my dog ate Hoary Alyssum?

Because Hoary Alyssum's toxicity status is currently unverified, err on the side of caution: note how much your dog ate, monitor closely for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or lethargy, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.

Why is there conflicting information about Hoary Alyssum and dog safety?

The plant's classification was flagged during a provenance audit on May 6, 2026 as a likely labeler error, meaning the original safety label may not have been based on reliable data. Until a curator verifies the correct classification, no confident safety verdict can be given.

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