Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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.

 

More Shrubs Questions

Plants for red clay in Hattiesburg, MS
May 16, 2011 - Looking for plants and flowers to plant in red clay?
view the full question and answer

Shrub for Shady Austin, Texas Backyard
July 11, 2016 - I am looking for a colorful shrub or bush for my drab backyard in Austin. It won't get much sun and I want something native that detracts bugs if possible.
view the full question and answer

Native NW Pennsylvania Plants for Soap
November 06, 2014 - Are there any plants in northwest Pennsylvania that can be used as soap?
view the full question and answer

Are Desert Willow Leaves Fragrant?
June 11, 2015 - I have a pink Desert Willow and have noticed that the leaves are fragrant; no flowers are yet present. I cannot find any sites that agree with this finding? Is this unusual?
view the full question and answer

Shade tolerant low shrub for Houston
September 28, 2013 - Please suggest a shade loving shrub that doesn't get more than 3' tall for a foundation planting along a front porch in Houston, TX. I prefer native, drought resistant if possible. No nursery person...
view the full question and answer

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