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
Sunday - June 26, 2011
From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Is hummingbird vine poisonous to parrots?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Is hummingbird vine poisonous to parrots? I am setting up vines and plants around the aviary and would like to use this vine if it's not poisonous.ANSWER:
I could find two vines that are called "hummingbird vine"—one native vine, Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) and the non-native, Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine). I found several lists for birds for toxic and non-toxic plants from:
- Planned Parrothood
- Cockatiel Cottage has Trumpet Vines listed under "Toxic Plants".
- Avian Web
- Hot Spot for Birds has a list of plants that are safe for birds.
- BirdsnWays lists toxic, unsafe plants
- Bird Channel
- Animal and Pet Adventures
Unfortunately, only the last two lists have scientific names for the plants, the most reliable name by which to identify them. I also checked several other toxic plant databases that are not specific to birds:
- Cornell University's Plants Poisonous to Livestock
- Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System
- University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants
- Toxic Plants of Texas
- Poisonous Plants of North Carolina lists Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) as mildly toxic if eaten.
Since trumpet vine appears on two different lists, it would be my advice not to use it. Although cypress vine does not appear on any of the lists, I would advice you not to use it either. Just because a plant isn't on the list, it doesn't automatically mean it isn't toxic. I think I would pick something from the lists of "safe" plants to put in the aviary. The Bird Channel lists honeysuckle as safe. Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) is a Central Texas evergreen native that has beautiful red flowers. Cockatiel Cottage, Hot Spot for Birds and Animal and Pet Adventures list passion flower vines as safe. Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower), Passiflora affinis (Bracted passionflower) and Passiflora lutea (Yellow passion vine) are native to Central Texas.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Evergreen vine for wall and long-blooming shrubs in San Antonio TX
May 04, 2014 - What is a good native vine that stays green all year to plant along a rock courtyard wall? Also what are native bushes that flower for the longest period of time? Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing, non-poisonous evergreen vine for California
March 14, 2013 - Hi, I am in the north bay area of California, north of San Francisco, need a quick growing vine to cover a very long section of chain link fence that is not poisonous (back yard backs up to school pla...
view the full question and answer
Fruit crops to grow in Tennessee mountains
May 27, 2013 - My property has a lot of rock formations throughout it and has hundreds of cedars where it is not pasture. I am wanting to grow fruit trees and berry bushes but don't know what can grow in this e...
view the full question and answer
Trumpet vines on wall in Longmont CO
May 18, 2010 - I purchased three trumpet vines to plant on the NW wall of my house back in 2002. Although the leaves are a beautiful healthy dark green, none of them have ever bloomed despite regular fertilizing pe...
view the full question and answer
White sticky stuff on muscadine grape vines from Chappells SC
August 17, 2013 - Muscadine vine has white sticky substance on leaves and vines, what is it?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |