Queen's Cup — (c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Photo by (c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA
Pet safety reference

Queen's Cup

Clintonia uniflora

Clintonia uniflora is a perennial wildflower native to western North America, known for its single white, star-shaped flower and glossy, basal leaves. It is generally considered a non-toxic plant, though ingestion of any non-food plant material can cause minor digestive discomfort in pets.

Bluebead LilyBride's BonnetClintonia unifloraQueen's Cup
Light
Partial shade to full shade
Habit
Rhizomatous perennial
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

None specifically documented for this species.

Escalation note

There is no specific veterinary data regarding the toxicity of this plant for cats. While it is not listed as toxic, any large ingestion of plant fiber may cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Contact your veterinarian if you observe unusual behavior.

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

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 and Non-Toxic Plants List

veterinary · 99% reliability

Open source

The ASPCA lists Clintonia uniflora as non-toxic to dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific classification and distribution data for Clintonia uniflora.

cats safety pagedogs safety page

Questions about Queen's Cup

Is Queen's Cup (Clintonia uniflora) toxic to cats?

Queen's Cup is classified as uncertain — it is not listed as a toxic plant, but there is no specific veterinary data confirming it is safe for cats either. The honest answer is that its toxicity profile has not been well studied, so treat it with caution and keep cats away from it.

What symptoms should I watch for if my cat ate Queen's Cup?

No symptoms are specifically documented for this species. Based on general guidance for non-food plant ingestion, watch for mild vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, especially if your cat ate a large amount of plant material.

What should I do if my cat chewed on or ate a Queen's Cup plant?

Remove your cat's access to the plant and monitor for any signs of GI upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms appear or your cat ate a significant amount, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.

Why is there so little information about Queen's Cup and cat safety?

Queen's Cup (Clintonia uniflora) is a native wildflower that rarely appears in indoor or cultivated settings, so it has not been formally evaluated for pet toxicity by organizations like the ASPCA. Without documented cases or studies, its safety for cats remains uncertain rather than confirmed non-toxic.

Is Queen's Cup safe for dogs?

Queen's Cup (Clintonia uniflora) has an uncertain safety status for dogs — the plant's classification is currently under review and has not been verified by a definitive source. Until its status is confirmed, treat it as potentially problematic and keep dogs away from it.

What happens if a dog eats Queen's Cup?

Specific symptoms for Queen's Cup ingestion in dogs are not documented at this time — the classification is flagged as pending curator verification. As a general precaution, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy after any ingestion of non-food plant material.

What should I do if my dog ate Queen's Cup?

Because Queen's Cup's toxicity for dogs has not been confirmed, err on the side of caution: call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Have the plant name (Clintonia uniflora) ready and note how much your dog may have eaten.

Is Queen's Cup the same as any plants known to be toxic to dogs?

Queen's Cup (Clintonia uniflora) is a distinct western North American wildflower and should not be confused with other lily-family plants. Its toxicity classification is currently under review and unverified, so no reliable comparison to known toxic or non-toxic plants can be made at this time.

Often compared with

Same genus

More from the Clintonia genus

Same safety verdict

Other plants with the same verdict