Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Wednesday - November 26, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Medicinal Plants, Poisonous Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Are Viguiera dentate leaves toxic to dogs?
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
Many dogs on the Turkey Creek Nature Trail in Emma Long Metropolitan Park love to snack on the leaves of the Viguiera Dentata plants. The leaves SEEM to be harmless. I am writing to request information regarding the toxicity, if any, of these plants that make my dogs very happy! Perhaps these plants could be herbally helpful if they are not harmful.ANSWER:
Authorities do not agree on why dogs eat vegetation from time to time. Some experts think that it is just a frolicsome thing to snap at leaves as they pass. Others feel that a dog somehow knows that leaves of a certain plant species can satisfy a need. A dog that eat grass or other green leaves often throws up the contents of its stomach shortly after, suggesting that the vegetable matter facilitates the vomiting up of material that may be upsetting the animal's stomach.
Two of my dogs once developed a habit of eating one or two leaves of a particular Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana) plant. I was very concerned because Lantana leaves are extremely toxic, especially if eaten in sizeable numbers. But each time I caught a dog nibbling this plant (and never another species) and restrained him, I noticed that he often vomited but behaved perfectly normally afterwards.
Experiences like these make me wonder if animals recognize plants that can remedy physical problems. Viguiera dentata (Sunflower goldeneye) could be one of these plants. Infusions of V. dentata are used as a folk medicine in Mexico to treat baby rash. Recent chemical analyses have shown the presence in V. dentata of several terpenoid compounds which have antibacterial activity. But nothing particularly toxic was found.
It is therefore unlikely that V. dentata is especially toxic. Whether eating it is herbally helplful has to be anybody's guess at the present time.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Are Carolina Cherry Laurel seeds poisonous from Asheville NC
August 14, 2012 - I have a Carolina cherry laurel in my back yard that is dropping berries into my vegetable garden beds. May be a silly question, but will the berries poison the plants (and me) when I eat them?
view the full question and answer
Is Bushy Knotweed carcinogenic from West Grove PA
September 06, 2012 - Is the invasive Bushy Knotweed / PORA3 / Polygonum ramosissimum toxic to the extent that the spores are carcinogenic?
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification
August 07, 2015 - I live in southeastern Michigan. I found a plant growing in the backyard that caught my eye. I chalked it off as a weed, but it's unique. It is shaped like a bushing type plant, has red stem, each cl...
view the full question and answer
Tropical looking plants for pool area in California
November 14, 2008 - I am looking for small tropical looking plants, groundcover, and 2-small trees for around my pool. They have to be non-toxic to dogs,cats, and people. They can't attract bees/wasps, or have a root ...
view the full question and answer
Poisonous weeds in Bedford County, PA
June 21, 2010 - I am battling my second bad round of poison in a month, this time on my face and in my left eye. It's awful. Problem is, I have looked and looked for poison ivy, oak and sumac around my neighborhoo...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |