Is Carolina Jessamine Toxic to Dogs?

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a popular yellow-flowering vine on Texas fences and arbors, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant database lists it as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic alkaloids (gelsemine, gelseminine) are present in every part of the plant, including the nectar. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that even small amounts can cause neurological symptoms.

Symptoms of Carolina Jessamine ingestion: vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, and seizures. Symptoms can begin within an hour. There is documented evidence of dogs being poisoned simply from chewing the flowers, not just the leaves or stems. If your dog has any contact with this plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Carolina Jessamine is the state flower of South Carolina and is sold widely in Texas garden centers as an early-spring flowering vine. It can be confused with native Crossvine because both have trumpet-shaped flowers and bloom in early spring. They are not the same plant, and only Crossvine is dog-safe.

Safe native alternative: Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata). Native to East Texas, blooms trumpet-shaped orange-red flowers in early spring, attracts hummingbirds, and is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list. If you currently have Carolina Jessamine on a fence or arbor in a yard with dogs, the safest move is removal and replacement. Children and pets can chew on flowers that drop within reach.