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
Friday - October 30, 2009
From: Chandler, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are the seeds of Texas ebony poisonous to dogs from Chandler AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Please tell me if it is dangerous for my puppy to eat the seeds of a Texas ebony. She seems to be attracted to them.ANSWER:
We could find no indication in our research that Ebenopsis ebano (Texas ebony) has any parts toxic to animals. Here is more information on the plant from Arizona State University Texas Ebony. Also for future reference, we found this website from DogPack.com Plants Poisonous to Dogs.
Even with those reassurances, we would recommend not allowing your puppy to eat anything not specifically designed for her nutrition. We understand that dogs, and particularly puppies, will eat about anything or at least chew on it. Getting too much of a non-nutritive substance in her stomach could certainly upset that stomach, with undesirable results. Also, snacking on the seeds of the Texas ebony, which is a member of the Fabaceae, or pea, family, could keep her from having an appetite for the proper food you have prepared for her. Since the seed pod is about the only thing unattractive on the Texas ebony, you could simply nip off the seed pods when they appear, and dispose of them out of the puppy's reach, as well as raking up the seeds now on the ground.
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Poisonous plants of Texas Bays and Estuaries
February 24, 2011 - What is a poisonous native plants of the Bay and Estuary system in Southeast Texas?
view the full question and answer
Are banana plants poisonous to dogs in Metarie, LA?
May 25, 2011 - Can a dog die from eating a banana plant that I have growing in my yard?
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from San Marcos TX
June 07, 2014 - My dogs love to eat the leaves of a certain little orange wildflower. It might be Wedelia or Texas creeping oxeye. Have you ever heard of this?
view the full question and answer
Wisteria and Non-Poisonous Native Vines
February 15, 2012 - I'm from central Texas and I'm wanting to plant a native vine that will work well around the public, mainly kids. It's a mostly sunny trellis that makes an arch. I'd like to plant the native Wiste...
view the full question and answer
Beneficial characteristics of Phytolacca americana (Pokeweed)
May 21, 2013 - I have a surprise Polk weed plant growing in my back yard, does it have any beneficial uses,and if not, how best to eradicate it. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |