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
Are globe mallows (Sphaeralcea spp.) harmful to dogs
May 20, 2010 - My dogs eat the wild globe mallow plants in my yard. Could
that be harmful to them?
view the full question and answer
Non-toxic, non-invasive native flowers for horses
October 12, 2008 - Hi I have a couple areas in and bordering horse pastures that I would like to plant with native flowers. I can find lists of toxic flowers but not non toxic native ones. Id like
non -toxic non-invas...
view the full question and answer
Local native plant for grave marker in Washington
December 30, 2005 - Dear wildflower expert,
Our friend’s dog died, and is buried in western Washington, near the town of Monroe.
My wife is from central Texas, and thought a Texas perennial would be a nice marker.
...
view the full question and answer
Is Texas mountain laurel honey toxic?
May 25, 2015 - I have been told that honey produced from the flowers of my Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) would not be safe to consume. Is this correct? The only information I have been able to find is...
view the full question and answer
Poison ivy? vine in NJ
July 30, 2012 - I have a vine growing among some vegetation in my backyard. It has a leaf with 3 "points" with ridges along its edges. The smaller leaves are reddish which is why I thought poison ivy but definite...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |