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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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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.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Friday - March 09, 2007

From: Harlingen, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Native plants toxic to horses
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I would like to landscape with native plants (I live south of you in Harlingen, TX) but I am concerned some might be dangerous to my horses. Do you have a list of either safe native plants or native plants to avoid with horses? Thanks.

ANSWER:

There are several databases that address plants poisonous to humans and other animals. Here are three very good ones:

Cornell Poisonous Plants Informational Database
Indiana Plants Poisonous to Animals
Illinois Plants Toxic to Animals

There is also an excellent book, Toxic Plants of Texas: Integrated Management Strategies to Prevent Livestock Losses by Charles R. Hart and others, 2003, published by the Texas Cooperative Extension that gives plant descriptions and photographs, symptoms of poisoning by the plant, and management strategies for the plant.
 

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