Grass palm contains saponins, to protect the plant from pests. These saponins are toxic to pets. The plant is bitter tasting and not highly toxic; it is unlikely that a cat would ingest enough of the plant to cause severe toxicity. However, if they do sample the plant, cats may exhibit some symptoms of poisoning. If your cat ingests grass palm, as with any other toxic plant, you should seek veterinary care and advice immediately as individuals can experience severe symptoms.
Grass palm is an ornamental evergreen also used as an ornamental grass, grown in warm climates. Its scientific name is Cordyline australis, and it also goes by the common names giant dracaena and palm lily. When mature, it resembles a tree with several branches from a single trunk, producing heads of long grass like foliage and cream-colored flowers. The red sensation variety has long, bronzy-red foliage and is very popular for its ornamental qualities. Although primarily kept for ornamental purposes, it has been used for medicinal purposes in the past.