The Bird of Paradise plant, known scientifically as Strelitzia reginae, is a member of the Strelitziaceae family. From a botanical perspective, it is important to distinguish this common ornamental plant from another, more toxic plant also sometimes called "Bird of Paradise," Caesalpinia gilliesii. Our focus is on Strelitzia reginae. This plant contains specific compounds as a defense mechanism against herbivores. The primary toxic principles identified are hydrocyanic acid (prussic acid) and tannins. These compounds are not present uniformly throughout the plant but are typically concentrated in specific parts, such as the seeds and seed pods, with lower concentrations found in the leaves and flowers.
When ingested by cats or dogs, the compounds within the Bird of Paradise plant can cause a range of adverse physiological effects. Hydrocyanic acid is a potent cytotoxic agent that interferes with cellular respiration. It prevents cells from utilizing oxygen, effectively causing internal suffocation at a cellular level, though significant poisoning requires ingestion of a large quantity of plant material. The tannins present are gastrointestinal irritants. They can cause localized inflammation and irritation to the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines, leading to the primary clinical signs observed in pets.
The ingestion of Strelitzia reginae typically results in mild to moderate toxicity. The most common symptoms are related to gastrointestinal distress due to the irritating nature of the plant's sap and tannins. In cats and dogs, pet owners may observe signs such as drooling (hypersalivation), pawing at the mouth (indicating oral irritation), vomiting, and diarrhea. Lethargy is also a common symptom as the animal's body reacts to the irritant. While the hydrocyanic acid content is a concern, it is generally not present in high enough quantities in a typical household plant to cause severe cyanide poisoning unless a very large amount, particularly seeds, is consumed.
From a horticultural and toxicological standpoint, the Bird of Paradise plant is considered to have a lower toxicity risk compared to many other common houseplants. For instance, plants like lilies (Lilium spp.), which can cause acute kidney failure in cats from minimal ingestion, or Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta), which causes severe liver failure, pose a far greater and more immediate threat. The toxicity of Strelitzia reginae is often classified as mild. However, "mild" does not mean "safe." Any plant material ingested can cause gastrointestinal upset or potentially an obstruction, and individual animal reactions can vary.
The concentration of irritants and toxic compounds is not consistent across all parts of the Bird of Paradise plant. The seeds and seed pods contain the highest concentration of hydrocyanic acid and therefore represent the greatest risk if consumed. The leaves and bright orange and blue flowers contain lower levels of these compounds but still contain enough irritants to cause significant gastrointestinal discomfort. It is prudent for pet owners to be most cautious with plants that are producing seeds and to prevent access to any fallen leaves or flowers that a curious pet might chew on.
