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.
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.
rate this answer
Tuesday - May 07, 2013
From: England, Other
Region: Other
Topic: Non-Natives, Problem Plants, Cacti and Succulents
Title: Cat eating yucca stalks in England
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Is it safe for my cat to eat yucca as she is being sick and its hard to stop herANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants is ordinarily constrained to matters dealing with plants native to North America. So, yuccas are native to North America but not to England. However, we can probably help you with your cat problem. Another member of the Mr. Smarty Plants Team shared this information in an effort to help you:
"My cat would eat the long skinny green fronds on my little palm tree and then throw up. I took her to the vet and she told me that the palm itself was not toxic, but just that the plant fiber was indigestible and that's why she threw up. I moved the palm outside and no more problems. Of course, my cat is an indoor cat and I don't know where this person's cat lives. If the yucca is inside, maybe she could move it outside. The Vet said that some cats like to chew on long skinny vegetation."
Bottom line: You need to separate the cat and the yucca. If the yucca can't survive outdoors, it will probably have to be sacrificed. Hope the kitty is all right.
From the Image Gallery
More Problem Plants Questions
Pruning Roughleaf dogwood
November 28, 2013 - We put 5 rough-leaf dogwoods along our side deck; having been told (by the local, natural plant seller) that they would reach a maximum height of 6 feet. They have grown taller than that (despite som...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating evasive Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet)
July 21, 2013 - I have Oriental Bittersweet growing pervasively in my shrub garden, strangling my shrubs and growing into my beautiful Victorian porch. I can't keep up with it! What can I do?
view the full question and answer
Bulletproof plants from Burleson TX
April 18, 2013 - I recently wrote you a question concerning planting a privacy plant consisting of wax leaf ligustrum on my country property. Your answer was immediate (thank you-I am impressed). I like the wax leaf ...
view the full question and answer
Protecting storm-damaged pecan and black walnut trees in TX
June 29, 2015 - Several trees on our property in northeast Texas were uprooted by a tornado. A pecan tree with a circumference greater than 93 inches was carried to the ground. Although it is completely horizontal,...
view the full question and answer
Germination of Sophora seeds, and Dodder identification in Kingsland, TX.
May 02, 2012 - Our Mt. Laurel has just produced seeds. Can those be scarified and planted now or do they have to dry out.
Also what is the stringy orange substance that gets on bluebonnets and other wildflowers ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |