Rhododendron and azalea
Rhododendron spp.
- Plant type
- shrub
- Settings
- Landscaped and ornamental
- Risk
- High risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
Shrubs with simple alternate leaves and funnel-shaped flowers in clusters at branch tips (Merck).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Fence off.
- Remove clippings.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Grayanotoxins (andromedotoxins)
- Toxic parts
- All parts, including leaves and nectar
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. Langston: about a cupful of leaves can poison a grown goat, and goats that recover may eat it again. Merck gives a toxic dose of about 1 g per kg of body weight.
Signs in goats
Calling out, vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, staggering, death after several days (Langston).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
Leaves are available all year on evergreen kinds; clippings are a common cause (Langston, Merck).
Sources
Links last checked: 2026-10-31