Mountain Camellia — (c) Evan M. Raskin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Evan M. Raskin
Photo by (c) Evan M. Raskin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Evan M. RaskiniNaturalistCC BY
Pet safety reference

Mountain Camellia

Stewartia ovata

Mountain Camellia is a deciduous flowering shrub or small tree known for its beautiful white blossoms and exfoliating bark. It is considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Mountain StewartiaStewartia ovata
Light
Partial shade to full sun
Habit
Shrub or small tree
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Cats & Dogs

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

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 expected from normal interaction; potential mild vomiting or diarrhea if large quantities of fibrous leaves are consumed.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your cat consumes a significant amount of plant material and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

None expected from normal interaction; potential mild vomiting or diarrhea if large quantities of fibrous leaves are consumed.

Escalation note

Generally considered safe. If your dog consumes a significant amount of plant material and shows signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.

Bring it home

Mountain Camelliais generally pet-safe in ordinary household exposure. If you’d like one for your space, here’s a starting point.

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Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Mountain Camellia is listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Stewartia ovata

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

A deciduous shrub or small tree in the Theaceae family, native to the southeastern United States.

cats safety pagedogs safety page

Same safety verdict

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