Speckled Wood Lily — (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay
Photo by (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. PapayiNaturalistCC BY
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

Cats

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.

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.

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.

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

The Speckled Wood Lily is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Clintonia umbellulata is a native perennial herb found in the Appalachian region, characterized by its umbel of white flowers.

Cats & dogs pagedogs page

Same cat verdict

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