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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - October 26, 2010
From: Lake City, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Is Loropetalum poisonous to horses in Lake City FL?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Is loropetalum poisonous to horses? I know it is a member of the witch hazel family but cannot find a definitive answer about loropetalum itself. Thank you!ANSWER:
Whenever we get questions about poisonous plants, we usually go to the databases listed below.
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock
University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants
Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System
Toxic Plants: Horses from the ASPCA
Poisonous Range Plants of Temperate North America
I've looked through these databases and do not find the genus Loropetalum listed. There are at least two possible reasons for this: one is that it may not be a poisonous plant. The other could be that since it is a non-native (introduced from Japan and Southern China ), the databases don't list it. I did find this link from Justanswer.com, but like you said, it is not very definitive. I'm including two links from Floridata for your information; one on Loropetalum, and the other on Witch hazel.
I'm going to suggest that you contact the folks at the Columbia County Office of UF/IFAS Extension for some help closer to home.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Getting rid of poison ivy
May 08, 2009 - Dear Mr Smarty Plants, Likewise I also have a shady area in my yard with overgrowth of poison ivy. It borders a small duck pond and we have a Golden Retriever. I too would like to plant soon afterward...
view the full question and answer
Toxicity of catalpa wood?
June 05, 2012 - Is the sawdust from cutting up a catalpa tree or the smoke from burning the wood toxic?
Thank you,
view the full question and answer
What caused bump after walk in woods from Ontario
July 25, 2011 - I recently went for a walk in the woods near a stream. When I got to the river my leg had a little bump. It wasn't itching. I got home, it swelled even bigger. Can you tell me what plant I bumped int...
view the full question and answer
Privacy shrubs and trees that are safe for horses in California
June 16, 2012 - What type of privacy shrubs/trees can I plant that are safe around horses? I live in the central valley in CA. Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Plants referred to as Hummingbird plants
August 22, 2008 - We have a a plant that is sometimes called a Hummingbird Plant, sometimes a Firecracker plant. I have also seen the name lonicera sempervirens. Are they poisonous? This is a plant, not a vine.
T...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |