Cats
UncertainIdentity or evidence quality is not strong enough for a firm answer.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Sources
cat safety reference
Is Speckled Wood Lily safe for cats?
Clintonia umbellulata
Speckled Wood Lily is a woodland perennial known for its clusters of white, speckled flowers and broad, basal leaves. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Clintonia umbellulataDogberryWhite Clintonia
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Habit
- Clumping perennial
- Care
- Low
Safety status
What this means for your cat
Cats: ASPCA lists Speckled Wood Lily as non-toxic to cats. Despite the "lily" in the name, this is a Clintonia — a different genus from the true Lilium and Hemerocallis lilies that cause kidney failure in cats — and ASPCA records no toxic principle.
What to watch for
ASPCA reports no toxic principle, so no symptoms are expected from this plant. As with any plant nibble, a curious cat may have a one-off bout of vomiting or soft stool from chewing fibrous leaves.
Time window
Onset and duration are not documented because the plant is non-toxic. Incidental GI upset from plant fiber would typically resolve within 12–24 hours.
When to call the vet
Call your vet if vomiting persists past a single episode, if your cat is unusually lethargic, or if you can't be sure they didn't actually get into a true lily — that distinction is the whole reason to call.
Sources: ASPCA.
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.
Cats — concern 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
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
The Speckled Wood Lily is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
botanical · 94% reliability
Clintonia umbellulata is a native perennial herb found in the Appalachian region, characterized by its umbel of white flowers.
Questions about Speckled Wood Lily
Is Speckled Wood Lily toxic to cats?
Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata) is classified as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA — no toxic principle has been identified in this plant. That said, the classification is currently under curator review, so if your cat ate a significant amount, it's reasonable to monitor them closely.
What symptoms should I watch for if my cat chews on Speckled Wood Lily?
Because no toxic principle is documented, no specific symptoms are expected. At most, chewing the fibrous leaves may trigger a one-off bout of vomiting or soft stool from the plant material itself — this would typically resolve within 12–24 hours.
What should I do if my cat ate Speckled Wood Lily?
Monitor your cat for vomiting or lethargy. Call your vet if vomiting persists past a single episode, if your cat seems unusually lethargic, or — critically — if there's any chance they got into a true lily (such as Easter or Tiger lily) instead, since those are severely toxic to cats. For true lily ingestion concerns, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
How is Speckled Wood Lily different from the toxic lilies that are dangerous to cats?
Despite "lily" being in its common name, Clintonia umbellulata is a woodland perennial in the Melanthiaceae family, not a true lily of the genera Lilium or Hemerocallis — the groups that cause acute kidney failure in cats. The shared common name is the main hazard here: if you're not certain which plant your cat ate, treat it as a potential true lily exposure and call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Same cat verdict
Related plants for cats
St. Bernard's Lily
Anthericum liliago
St. Bernard's Lily is a hardy, grass-like perennial known for its elegant, star-shaped white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. It is considered safe for households with pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Blue-dicks
Dichelostemma pulchellum
Dichelostemma pulchellum is a cormous perennial wildflower native to western North America, known for its clusters of violet-blue, tubular flowers. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though its fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Creeping Rubus
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Creeping Rubus is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial groundcover known for its delicate foliage and trailing habit. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of fibrous plant material may cause mild digestive discomfort.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.
Dichelostemma
Dichelostemma species
Dichelostemma is a genus of flowering corms in the asparagus family known for their unique, tubular, cluster-forming blooms. They are considered non-toxic to pets, though their fibrous nature may cause minor digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
Uncertain for cats & dogs.