Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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

Thursday - March 17, 2016

From: Elk Grove, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Abutilon or Podocarpus Toxic to Dogs?
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

Are either of these plants toxic to dogs? Flowering maple or the Podocarpus henkelii shrub.

ANSWER:

Although both of these plants are not natives to North America and not found in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centre database, Mr. Smarty Plants did do a search of the ASPCA toxic plants to dogs list and found that Podocarpus is toxic.  So be wary of that plant if your dogs like to chew on plants. The flowering maple (Abutilon sp.) is not on the list.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Lists of native plants in Rome, Italy area
November 27, 2005 - Do you know anywhere that I can find a list of native plants in Italy, especially in the Rome area.
view the full question and answer

Plants that will survive in Mammoth Lake, CA
June 25, 2009 - What fruit trees survive the Mammoth Lakes winter? What roses will grow in Mammoth? Please give me a list of all trees that grow in Crowley and Mammoth lakes?
view the full question and answer

Identification of Sphaegneticola trilobata as non-native invasive plant
January 24, 2007 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants, I have some wedelia growing but would like clarification on the type whether it is the texana or trilobata. Is the texana a bushy plant? Mine is more of the sprawling/tra...
view the full question and answer

Insect pest on non-native dwarf apply tree in Utica MI
June 02, 2011 - I have a dwarf apple tree that bears 5-6 different kinds of apples. I am having trouble with insects; what is a good choice for this and feeding it? Is there also a organic choice?
view the full question and answer

Non-native invasive Chocolate Mimosa in Gulfport MS
May 18, 2011 - Another Mimosa Question: I have a newly planted chocolate mimosa; it has a single, 7 ft spindly trunk with approximately a 3 ft canopy. I'm afraid that its girth will not withstand much in terms of...
view the full question and answer

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