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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - June 15, 2009
From: san marcos, CA
Region: California
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Photinia toxicity to dogs
Answered by: Jackie OKeefe
QUESTION:
is the photinia bush toxic to dogs??ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center disseminates information about our native plants and seeks to encourage their use in their native habitats. Our range of expertise is limited to this arena.
There are multiple photinia varieties. The commonly used landscape plant is Red-Tipped Photinia, Photinia fraseri, a hybrid of Asian parentage. According to The Merck Veterinary Manual, it is toxic to horses and other ruminants (grazing animals), but there is no indication of toxicity to dogs.
Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon) , or Christmasberry, is a southern California native of the chapparal community which is a photinia relative. It is on a California list under the name Photinia arbutifolia as a plant which is poisonous to humans, but is not listed as toxic to dogs.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Vines for a backyard pergola not toxic to dogs and cats
April 26, 2015 - We have just built a pergola in out backyard and are wanting a vine to grow up and around the posts. We have 3 dogs and also have a cat that loves to go outside. We are really looking for something th...
view the full question and answer
Non-Toxic Hedge for Wisconsin
December 17, 2015 - What would be a good non-toxic for dogs, privacy hedge about 3-6 feet tall for Wisconsin climate zone 4b?
view the full question and answer
Rash resulting from cutting trees in NC.
May 08, 2012 - My boyfriend was cutting some trees yesterday. He had thorns in his hands after he was done, and today he has a rash on his legs, a fever and he feels like throwing up. Can you tell me if its symptoms...
view the full question and answer
Plants referred to as Hummingbird plants
August 22, 2008 - We have a a plant that is sometimes called a Hummingbird Plant, sometimes a Firecracker plant. I have also seen the name lonicera sempervirens. Are they poisonous? This is a plant, not a vine.
T...
view the full question and answer
Non-poisonous Hedge for Southern California
November 27, 2010 - What is a non-poisonous (to dogs), fast-growing, evergreen plant that I can grow as a tall screening hedge for privacy? I find differing opinions on Carolina Cherry and Podocarpus gracilior. Thank you...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |