Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_21.gif)
Sunday - August 10, 2008
From: Asheville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are leaves of banana trees poisonous?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
are the leaves of banana trees poisonous? the tree will be in a preschool classroom How do i care for the tree?ANSWER:
The edible banana (Musa spp.) is a native of the Indo-Malaysian region. What we're all about here at the Wildflower Center is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes" (that is, natives of North America), but we're happy to point you in the right direction to find out about banana plants. You can read about Banana Plant growing instructions and care from The Banana Tree.Neither the leaves, nor any other part of the banana plant, appear to be poisonous. None of the following toxic plant databases have listed it:
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Database or Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Is Texas ragwort (Senecio ampullaceus) toxic to livestock?
May 05, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a question related to Texas Ragwort (Senecio ampullaceus):
I am concerned about toxicity to livestock as well as interested in natural control methods.
I was recentl...
view the full question and answer
Controlling Cnidoscolus texanus (Texas bullnettle)
July 18, 2013 - Hello,I need your help to control some nasty weeds in my yard/pasture. I am an old timer and do not have a picture to include—haven't figured out that part of the camera/phone yet. This weed is a pri...
view the full question and answer
New house plant in pot in Chevy Chase MD
May 07, 2010 - Is it possible for one house plant to eventually die in the pot while a completely different plant grows in its place? The new plant looks similar to the potted plant next to it but it is not quite t...
view the full question and answer
Bugbane Leaf Blotch
January 24, 2013 - My bugbanes (Cimicifuga/Actaea) seem to suffer from black blotches on the leaves in the summer. This happens even when they have adequate moisture. I also see it on the ones growing wild. Is this a fu...
view the full question and answer
Removing poison ivy around live oak in Hockley TX
July 02, 2009 - We have a large live oak in our backyard, estimated to be over 100 years old. I am working on clearing out the brush that is under the tree. Can I spray commercially available poison ivy killer in t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |