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.

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

Monday - April 30, 2012

From: Phoenix, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants, Shrubs
Title: Cenizo safe for consumption by parrots from Phoenix AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Could you tell me if Cenizo, (Leucophyllum frutescens) branches and leaves can be fed to pets? (parrots)I read the leaves were often used for tea for humans, but can't find an information if safe for parrots.

ANSWER:

If Mr. Smarty Plants were Mr. Smarty Birds, we would probably have the answer to your question on the tip of our tongues. As it is, we know quite a lot about Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) and virtually zip about parrots.

We found an article from the World Parrot Trust on household substances poisonous to parrots, which included plants poisonous to parrots. You can search that list on scientific names and Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) did not appear. We found no indication anywhere that Cenizo has any poisonous parts.

This article, Safe Plants and Toxic Plants for Pet Birds by Eleanor Mc Caffrey, adds to the information, but still doesn't mention Cenizo, one way or another. If your parrots have a veterinarian, he/she might be able to help you also.

From the Image Gallery

Cenizo
Leucophyllum frutescens