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
Saturday - September 03, 2011
From: Nipomo, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives, Poisonous Plants
Title: Is Purple Hopseed poisonous to dogs?
Answered by: Anne Ruggles
QUESTION:
Is the Purple Hopseed plant safe for dogs? We would like to plant a hedge of the purple hopseed at my parents home. They are elderly and have a small (8lb.) dog that they just love so much..I would hate to plant anything that could be bad for the little dog. Thanks for any help.ANSWER:
The Purple Hopseed (Dodonaea viscosa, var. Purpurea) is a shrub in the soapberry family – the Sapindaceae. There are about 50 species of shrubs and small trees in the genus Dodonnaea. They are native to tropics around the world, most notably in Australia. The Purple Hopseed is highly variable and occurs over a large range. The variety, 'Purpurea' is the most widely cultivated and is native to New Zealand. It is an evergreen with bronzy green leaves that turn deep purple red in the fall.
There are a number of sites to check for toxicity of plants to pets (see below). None lists this plant.
- ASPCA
- Cornell University Dept. of Animal Science
- Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service
- Univ. of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Library
- Univ. of Penn. School of Veterinary Medicine
- California Poison Control Center
- California LIst of Toxic Plants
More Non-Natives Questions
Smarty Plants on Pittosporum
August 05, 2005 - Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion.
Than...
view the full question and answer
Growing Avocados in South Texas
April 24, 2015 - What types of avocados can be grown in South Texas?
view the full question and answer
Growing non-native grapefruit from seeds from Austin
April 30, 2013 - Can you grow ruby red grapefruit trees from seeds?
view the full question and answer
Information on non-native Erythrinia crista-galli
April 30, 2008 - I am trying to find out some more information on a plant called firemen caps.. How to grow and sun or shade or both..
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native St. Augustine lawn from Austin
October 06, 2013 - We have St. Augustine in our front lawn. There are some patches where the grass has entirely died but mixed in with the dead areas are little clumps of living grass. It seems to be spreading througho...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |