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.
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Thursday - March 17, 2016
From: Elk Grove, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Abutilon or Podocarpus Toxic to Dogs?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Are either of these plants toxic to dogs? Flowering maple or the Podocarpus henkelii shrub.ANSWER:
Although both of these plants are not natives to North America and not found in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centre database, Mr. Smarty Plants did do a search of the ASPCA toxic plants to dogs list and found that Podocarpus is toxic. So be wary of that plant if your dogs like to chew on plants. The flowering maple (Abutilon sp.) is not on the list.
More Non-Natives Questions
Plant ID from Woodcreek TX
January 27, 2012 - I would like to attach a photo of a weed in my lawn and have you identify it. How do I send a photo? I have been told it may be ground ivy. Please tell me how to kill it without damaging the lawn.
view the full question and answer
Pruning drought-stressed butterfly plants from Kerrville TX
August 22, 2011 - Due to the drought, our butterfly bushes have dead branches. Ordinarily we prune the dormant plants in winter, but can we cut back dead branches now?
view the full question and answer
Non-native Meyer lemon not bearing fruit in Austin
September 13, 2010 - I have had a meyer lemon for 9 years and it has never produced fruit. What do I do? It has beautiful leaves and thorns but no fruit.
Thank you,
Mr. Smarty Plants
view the full question and answer
Eliminating invasive, non-native chameleon plant from Omaha NE
April 11, 2011 - I have been attempting to eradicate the chameleon plant in my gardens for 3 years. I have sprayed Round Up and covered with newspaper then mulch and it is coming back again this year! I am wondering...
view the full question and answer
Best for Austin-non-native loquat or kumquat?
May 04, 2010 - I was wondering which tree is suited better in the Austin,TX, area, the Loquat or the Kumquat, do they lose their leaves in the winter and do they bear fruits?
view the full question and answer
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