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?

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

Friday - March 25, 2011

From: Midland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Is non-native palm tree poisonous from Midland TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Are palm trees poisonous? My husband is a landscaper and was trimming palm trees at work and when he was cutting them down it fell on him and he has scratches on his arm and one got caught on his arm and it cut him kinda bad, he's not feeling too good now. And we were told they were poisonous is this true? Should he get checked out by a doctor?

ANSWER:

Yes, go to a doctor now or, better yet, yesterday when the injury happened. See this previous article from Mr. Smarty Plants on the same subject.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Propagation of non-native, poisonous oleanders
November 11, 2005 - How do I propagate oleanders? Can the cuttings be rooted in water? Or is it better to use rooting hormone and stick the cuttings in the soil?
view the full question and answer

Accompanying plant for non-native dianthus in Arden NC
April 23, 2011 - Hi,I have dianthus and need a small plant-full sun to go with it down both sides of our driveway-thanks
view the full question and answer

Non-blooming crape myrtle in Italy, TX
June 25, 2008 - It's Italy, TX, again! Thanks for the advice and links, and I'll study those..but here's where I'm stumped on crape myrtle. I have two (almost) trees because they've been planted over 15 years ...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native African violets in Des Moines
January 08, 2010 - My violets have stopped blooming after years and have developed a growth in the middle of the plant. Can I save these plants and how can I revive them. Thank you, I am desperate to salvage them as the...
view the full question and answer

Green fruit dropping from non-native navel orange tree
September 17, 2008 - Hi, I have a seedless navel orange tree that is dropping the green fruit as of late and when I find the oranges laying there they have a large split in them that exposes the fruit. I don't think the...
view the full question and answer

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