Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Wednesday - April 25, 2007
From: Venus, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Safety of Baccharis halimifolia (groundsel tree) for parrots
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Do you have any information on the possible toxicity of Baccharis halimifolia (Groundsel tree, sea myrtle) most especially the trunks/branches? We have it all over our property, and I'm curious if it would be safe to give to my parrots because they love to destroy wood, etc.ANSWER:
You can find several databases online that have lists of both safe plants and toxic plants for birds. Here are three:Baccharis halimifolia (eastern baccharis) doesn't appear on either the "safe" or the "toxic" lists on the databases listed above. You can Google the phrase "toxic plants birds" and find more lists. However, I think your best bet would be to pick something from one of "safe" lists to give your parrots rather than experiment with B. halimifolia.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Safety of hyrbrid and non-native trees for dogs and horses from Lawton OK
March 25, 2013 - Are Arrowwood Viburnum tree, Sargent Crabapple tree & the Washington Hawthorn tree safe for dogs & horses?
view the full question and answer
Plants to replace poison ivy and brush
June 23, 2008 - I am right next to a highway in Paradise, CA 95969. I am having brush and poison oak removed in that area and want to plant something fast growing and draught resistant. I am thinking about Oleander...
view the full question and answer
Is non-native Ixora poisonous to horses?
June 26, 2013 - My horse was eating an ixora bush at a park in south florida. Is the Ixora shrub poisonous to horses?
view the full question and answer
Hardy plants for a narrow yard in Illinois
July 28, 2008 - I have an area in my yard that is approx 35 feet by 5 feet that is shaded on the east by a 4 ft fence and on the west by the house and above by trees. It slopes off to the neighbors yard (so doesn't ...
view the full question and answer
Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses?
March 28, 2010 - Are Chanticleer flowering pears toxic to horses?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |