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.

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?

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

Monday - July 12, 2010

From: Rio Verde, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Are Chilean Mesquite pods poisonous to dogs?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Are chilean Mesquite tree pods poisonous to dogs?

ANSWER:

When we get questions about plants toxic to animals, there are several databases listed below that we regularly consult.

Toxic Plants of Texas

Poisonous Plants of North Carolina

Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock

University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants

Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System

The ASPCA has a list specific to dogs; Toxic and Non-toxic Plant List—Dogs.

Checking these databases reveals no record of the genus Prosopis being toxic to dogs. The Chilean mesquite, Prosopis chilensis, however is a non-native species, so it may not be listed in the sources above. On the other hand, mesquite beans have been harvested and ground for flour for human consumption for years. In addition, tucked away in this article "Mesquite Trees in Arizona" is the factoid that in the late summer and fall, 80% of a coyote's diet may consist of mesquite beans.