Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

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
1 rating

Saturday - August 28, 2010

From: London, England
Region: Other
Topic: Edible Plants, Poisonous Plants
Title: Petals of flowers on cake from London
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Hi could you confirm that Gemini, Lisianthus and Lilies are non toxic if positioned onto a fresh cream cake (stem will be paced into a vial but the petals will come into contact with the cream). Thank you.

ANSWER:

This sounds like a lovely design, but is out of our expertise. We are committed to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native to North America. All of the plants you mentioned in your two questions are non-native to North America. Just on a guess, we would not recommend it. You have no way of knowing what pesticides or preservatives might have been sprayed on those flowers, or whether some tiny insects might still be hiding in them.
 

More Poisonous Plants Questions

Is cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum) poisonous?
March 18, 2009 - I have a Cataractarum (Cat) Palm and am wondering if it is poisonous. I have a Cockatiel who likes to play in it. Thank you!
view the full question and answer

Horses exposed to toxic plants in Charles Town WV
July 13, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Pants, I have a big problem on my hands! Four of my horses have gotten into something toxic, but I must find out what. I found an unusual plant that a mare chased her foal away from. It's ...
view the full question and answer

Are Viguiera dentate leaves toxic to dogs?
November 26, 2014 - Many dogs on the Turkey Creek Nature Trail in Emma Long Metropolitan Park love to snack on the leaves of the Viguiera Dentata plants. The leaves SEEM to be harmless. I am writing to request informat...
view the full question and answer

Is Viburnum dilatatum 'Henneke' (Cardinal Candy) toxic to horses?
July 01, 2014 - Is Viburnum-Cardinal Candy/Viburnum dilatatum 'Henneke' reported to be toxic or non-toxic to horses?
view the full question and answer

Is scarlet buckeye (Aesculus pavia) poisonous?
December 01, 2008 - Is a scarlet buckeye poisonous? Anna
view the full question and answer

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