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 - 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.
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.
From all of this, I would conclude that Chilean mesquite beans are probably not toxic to dogs.
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
Will a barrier hedge of Agarita cause any problems for horses and cattle?
January 28, 2009 - Will planting a hedge of Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata) at the fence line in my blackland prairie pasture cause any problems for my horses and cattle. I am trying to create a sound and sight barrier ...
view the full question and answer
Are any cherry trees poisonous from Clovis CA?
April 30, 2011 - Are there some cherry trees that are poisonous? if so, how do you identify them?
view the full question and answer
Are Carolina Cherry Laurel seeds poisonous from Asheville NC
August 14, 2012 - I have a Carolina cherry laurel in my back yard that is dropping berries into my vegetable garden beds. May be a silly question, but will the berries poison the plants (and me) when I eat them?
view the full question and answer
Recommended plants for horse farm in Lansford PA
April 22, 2010 - Recently started a small horse farm in northeast Pennsylvania just east of the Pocono Mountain plateau. Located in a foggy valley adjacent to a lake. Snowy, cold winters; wet springs; dry summers; ni...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |