Alocasia
Alocasia spp. · Araceae
How it looks
Alocasia is a foliage plant with thick, large arrowhead-shaped leaves marked by bold, prominent white veins. The leaves point upward and are glossy, making it popular for interiors. It stands 20 in–5 ft (50 cm–1.5 m) tall, with leaves 8–31 in (20–80 cm) in size.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
All parts of Alocasia contain irritating compounds that can cause drooling if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Alocasia rarely leads to serious trouble, but its insoluble calcium oxalate crystals can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, drooling
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Alocasia spp.
- Common name
- Alocasia
- Family
- Araceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, drooling
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
