Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - April 26, 2009

From: Maryville, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are dogwood trees poisonous to horses?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Are dogwood trees poisonous to horses?

ANSWER:

None of the Cornus species (Dogwood) are listed in Mr. Smarty Plants' favorite toxic plant databases (Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants, or Texas Toxic Plant Database).  Also, none of the dogwoods appear in the following databases dedicated to plants toxic to horses:  10 Most Poisonous Plants for Horses from EquiSearch.com, Poisonous Plants from Trailblazer Magazine, Toxic Plants:  Horses from the ASPCA, and Horse Nutrition:  Poisonous Plants from Ohio State University.  Given the widespread occurrence of dogwoods in planned landscapes as well as in natural settings and the fact that no dogwoods appear on any of the lists of toxic plants, I think we can conclude that your horses will be safe with dogwoods in their pasture.

By the way, you can see which Cornus species (Dogwood) occur in Tennessee by using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option at the top of the list and selecting 'Tennessee' from the Select State or Province option.  

 

More Poisonous Plants Questions

Juniperus Toxic to Pets?
October 15, 2013 - Are blue rug juniper plants toxic to dogs?
view the full question and answer

Non-toxic evergreen shrub around duck pen
September 10, 2015 - I live in Zone 6a, and am looking for a non-toxic evergreen shrub to use around our fence that pens in our ducks. It doesn't have to be native to our particular state. I have 74 feet of fence on th...
view the full question and answer

Foxglove safety from England
April 21, 2013 - Hi, regarding safety of foxgloves grown near edible plants - foxgloves are good companion plants for vegetables, in case of root vegetables they improve their storage life and quality. Foxgloves prote...
view the full question and answer

Identification of possible toxic plant in Austin, TX
June 20, 2014 - When we hike with our dogs along Turkey Creek in Austin, they seem to make a bee line to a small green leafy plant when they find it along the trail and eat a few leaves of it. We assume it's not dan...
view the full question and answer

Is Penstemon cobaea poisonous
May 12, 2009 - Is Penstemon cobaea Nutt or Wild foxglove poisonous like real fox glove? It is on a playground and Im concerned that it may not be safe for children.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.