Which plant is known to cause stomatitis in goats when ingested?

• A. Diffenbachia
• B. Aloe vera
• C. Peace lily
• D. Tulip

Answer: (A)

Stomatitis from ingestion occurs when a plant’s tissues injure or irritate the mouth. Dieffenbachia contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that physically abrade the oral mucosa and release irritants as the plant is chewed. This causes immediate mouth pain, swelling of the lips and tongue, drooling, and reluctance to eat—classic signs of stomatitis in goats. Among the listed plants, this one is most reliably linked to mouth inflammation when eaten, making it the best answer. The others can cause discomfort or GI upset if ingested, but they are not as consistently associated with oral mucosal inflammation in goats.