Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
5 ratings

Monday - August 09, 2010

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Is non-native Japanese Blueberry tree fruit poisonous to cats and dogs from Houston
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Are Japanese Blueberry Tree fruit poisonous? I have dogs and cats and I was concerned if they ate them. I also live in the Houston, TX area.

ANSWER:

Elaeocarpus deciphens, Japanese Blueberry Tree, is native to New Zealand, and therefore out of the range of expertise of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Because we are committed to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native to North America, we have no information on this plant. We will give you a list of websites that list some plants poisonous to small animals, and you can search on those. You should be warned that, especially for a non-native plant, the fact that it is not on one of these lists does not guarantee that it is not toxic.

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Pawprints and Purrs Plants and Pets Toxic Listing

Petfinder.com Things Poisonous to Pets

ASCPA Poison Control Center

Suite 101.com Toxic Plants and Pets

Here an article from Gardening Central Japanese Blueberry Tree. Usually, if a plant has severely poisonous parts, articles about them will mention that but, again, no guarantees.


 

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Non-native invasive creeping fig on oak tree
August 15, 2007 - I have a creeping fig in a pot that sits next to an oak tree. It took to the tree as a trellis and looks beautiful. My question is: is it doing the tree any harm?
view the full question and answer

Identification of tree in California
May 02, 2012 - A medium-size tree with shiny green leaves toward the bottom and garnet red ones toward the top of the tree. The leaves are narrow with saw-toothed edges. There are clustered small white flowers with ...
view the full question and answer

Care of non-native Mandevilla
July 01, 2006 - I have purchased 2 Red Riding Hood Mandevilla's. The tag on it says it blooms spring to frost, full sun, ave size is 8 feet tall & spreading. I live in the Tampa FL area. Does this plant grow as a sh...
view the full question and answer

Non-native lilacs for Salt Lake City, UT
April 15, 2012 - Is the weather in Salt Lake City UT good enough to plant a lilac bush root? If not, how long should I wait?
view the full question and answer

Native replacement for bamboo from Houston
May 21, 2013 - I've read one reply where you do not advise using Bamboo as a privacy fence plant. What do you suggest in its place? The suggestions on the one I read will not work for me. Your suggestions were My...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.