Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - June 16, 2009
From: Independence, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are variegated ginger plants poisonous to cats?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Is a variegated ginger plant poisonous to cats?ANSWER:
Variegated ginger, Alpinia zerumbet is a native of India, and is widely used in the U.S. as an ornamental. None of the sources that I have found list variegated ginger as being toxic for cats.
I'm providing links for several database that you may also check. To search the lists, I recommend using scientific names (e.g. Alpinia zerumbet) since those names are generally standard, whereas the common names often vary in spelling and usage. You can also check the names of your other plants to see if they might be harmful to cats.
Please note that the absence of of a plant name from these lists does not guarantee that it is non-toxic to cats, but not finding it on the lists makes it less likely to be toxic.
Universtiy of Pennsylvania's Poisonous Plants Database
Cornell University's Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Precautions to take with Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum
September 13, 2009 - Are there precautions to take, such as wearing gloves while separating the seeds from the Jack In The Pulpit berries. The photos I have seen have gloved hands. I've read that the plant is toxic if in...
view the full question and answer
Palm tip wound in Sacramento CA
June 25, 2009 - My husband was stuck in his calf with a palm leaf, he is now complaining of stiffness where it went in, is there any kind of poison in it?
view the full question and answer
Using cattail fluff to stuff pillows
April 22, 2007 - Me and my children filled a pillow case with cattail feathers today and brought it home. My mother says that it is going to get or attract bugs. Are there any dangers in this little project?
Than...
view the full question and answer
Can hackberry twigs and leaves be safely used in compost?
March 05, 2009 - If Hackberry trees and leaves have growth inhibiting compounds, should they not be used in compost piles?
view the full question and answer
Is Chilopsis linearis poisonous to dogs in Midland, TX?
June 04, 2011 - Is any variety of Chilopsis linearis (particularly bubba bubba) poisonous to animals? I'm thinking about using it as a source of shade for multiple dog kennels in west Texas.
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
