Fireweed — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
dog safety reference

Is Fireweed safe for dogs?

Epilobium angustifolium

Blooming Sally is a hardy perennial wildflower known for its tall spikes of vibrant pink-purple flowers. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though large ingestions of fibrous plant material may occasionally cause mild digestive upset.

Blooming SallyEpilobium angustifoliumFireweedGreat Willowherb
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Habit
Upright, rhizomatous perennial
Care
Low

Safety status

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.

What this means for your dog

Dogs are not at risk from fireweed. The ASPCA lists Epilobium angustifolium as non-toxic to dogs, with no toxic principle on file. As with any plant, eating large amounts of fibrous stems or leaves could cause minor stomach upset, but the species itself is not considered poisonous.

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.

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

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted scientific classification and distribution data for Epilobium angustifolium.

Cats & dogs pagecats page

Questions about Fireweed

Is fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) safe for dogs?

Fireweed's safety for dogs is currently uncertain. The classification on record has been flagged as a likely labeler error and is pending curator verification as of the ASPCA/provenance audit on May 6, 2026, so a definitive safety verdict cannot be given at this time.

What symptoms might a dog show after eating fireweed?

Specific symptom data for fireweed ingestion in dogs is not available — the existing record is under review due to a suspected classification error. If your dog has eaten fireweed, watch for general signs of GI upset such as vomiting or lethargy and contact your vet.

What should I do if my dog ate fireweed?

Because fireweed's toxicity classification for dogs is unresolved, treat any ingestion with caution: note how much your dog ate, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian for guidance.

Why does fireweed show up as 'uncertain' rather than safe or toxic for dogs?

The original classification for fireweed was flagged as a probable labeling error during an ASPCA provenance audit on May 6, 2026, and has not yet been verified by a curator. Until that review is complete, the classification carries a low confidence score of 0.4 and should not be relied upon in either direction.

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