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
Tuesday - May 26, 2009
From: Oceanside, CA
Region: California
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are berries from the Carrot Wood Tree toxic to animals?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Hello, I am trying to find out if the berries on the carrot wood tree are toxic to animals - dog?ANSWER:
Carrot Wood Tree, Cupaniopsis anacardioides , is a native of Australia where it is called Tuckeroo (see images). It is considered an invasive species in the United States. Since the mission of the Lady Bird Johndon Wildflower Center os to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants, and landscapes, two things that Mr. Smarty Plants doesn't care much for are invasive, non-native plants. See these two links for more information: California, and Texas.
However, for the safety of your dog, I've done some looking around and found some sources regarding toxicity of Cupaniopsis anacardiodes.
The Hunter Botanic Gardens lists the berries as a food used by aboriginal people in Australia.
The Australian Botanic Gardens doesn't list it as a toxic plant.
The Merck Veterinary Manual also doesn't list it as a toxic plant.
The links below are for databases in the US that you may want to check out as well.
Universtiy of Pennsylvania's Poisonous Plants Database
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Cornell University's Plants Poisonous to Livestock and other Animals
To search the lists, I recommend using the scientific name since those names are generally standard, whereas the common names often vary in spelling and usage.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Trees poisonous to horses from Landrum SC
April 15, 2012 - Please tell me if the following trees are poisonous to horses:
hickory, beech, poplar, and redbud.
Thank you very much.
view the full question and answer
poisonous landscaping plants in New Mexico
November 21, 2011 - Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been given the task of finding non poisonous plants and shrubbery to add to our new children's playground. This is a Head Start playground so I have to make sure anything w...
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
Western Poison Oak Sap Transfer
January 26, 2016 - My partner is a park ranger and constantly exposed to poison oak. He gets infected sometimes but mostly seems to tolerate it pretty well. I, on the other hand, keep getting reinfected with it, all ove...
view the full question and answer
What tree berries causes blisters in PA?
July 22, 2009 - This summer my family was playing with some berries picked from a tree in our backyard. They would place them in their mouths and shoot them through homemade pea-shooters. Shortly after everyone beg...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |