Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Could you give me some information on Hollyhock?
QUESTION:
I visited your web site to find out if the plant, Hollyhock, might be
toxic. My dogs sometimes get into the garden, and go for that plant. I
haven't had it in my garden before. They seem to have intestinal
problems after eating it.
I did not find it listed on your Poisonous Plants Web Pages. Might you
be able to give any information about Hollyhock?
ANSWER:
I can't tell you much more than you already know - it can cause skin
irritation and dermatitis in some people and GI irritation in animals
if eaten. It is in the same family as cotton and velvet leaf, so I
imagine if your dogs ate lots and lots of seeds that they could also be
poisoned by cyclopropanoids, but with luck their recent experience will
help them learn to back off a bit.