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)
Monday - October 26, 2009
From: San Diego, CA
Region: California
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Is hopseed bush poisonous to horses in San Diego
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I need to plant a hedge to block unwanted neighbors and shield the horse corral from the house. I love the hopseed bush for its growing habits and color, especially the purple hopseed. I need to know if it is poisonous to horses. ThanksANSWER:
Dodonaea viscosa (Florida hopbush), native to North America, is shown on the USDA Plant Profile for this plant as growing in one small area just north of San Diego County. You might want to read this University of Florida Coperative Extension Service webpage on Dodonaea viscosa to learn if you have the proper growing conditons. That site mentions the cultivar 'Purpurea', which is probably the one you are talking about. Below is a list of databases you can check to find out if a plant you are interested in is toxic to horses. Just because a plant is not on these lists does not guarantee it is not poisonous to horses, but you should feel fairly safe after checking them.
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Cornell University Plants Poisonous to Livestock University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System Toxic Plants: Horses from the ASPCA We checked all of these using the scientific name Dodonaea viscosa to search and found it in none of them. From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Remedy for sore finger scratched by an Agave plant
October 18, 2013 - I scratched my ring finger on a Agave plant this afternoon. It did bring blood to the surface and i washed it off. Where the scratch is, is very tender and it is swollen and tingles. Any suggestions f...
view the full question and answer
Non-native pothos ivy from Houston
May 30, 2013 - My pothos devils ivy is about 5 years old and grows outside. A couple of years ago its leaves became spectacularly large, like 12" wide and its stalk about 1 - 2" wide. A couple of years ago i gui...
view the full question and answer
Is Cerinthe major toxic to cats in Gresham, OR
March 14, 2013 - Hi,
I was wondering about whether a specific plant was poisonous or not specifically to cats.. I've done a lot of searching and can't find anything on whether or not this plant is considered toxi...
view the full question and answer
Drought-tolerant plants that are non-toxic to dogs
May 10, 2010 - I am looking for drought-tolerant native plants non-poisonious to dogs. We are putting gardens in an area the dog has access to, and she likes to sample the darndest things. South side of the house,...
view the full question and answer
Safety of Baccharis halimifolia (groundsel tree) for parrots
April 25, 2007 - Do you have any information on the possible toxicity of Baccharis halimifolia (Groundsel tree, sea myrtle) most especially the trunks/branches? We have it all over our property, and I'm curious if it...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |