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_22.gif)
Monday - June 15, 2009
From: san marcos, CA
Region: California
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Photinia toxicity to dogs
Answered by: Jackie OKeefe
QUESTION:
is the photinia bush toxic to dogs??ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center disseminates information about our native plants and seeks to encourage their use in their native habitats. Our range of expertise is limited to this arena.
There are multiple photinia varieties. The commonly used landscape plant is Red-Tipped Photinia, Photinia fraseri, a hybrid of Asian parentage. According to The Merck Veterinary Manual, it is toxic to horses and other ruminants (grazing animals), but there is no indication of toxicity to dogs.
Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon) , or Christmasberry, is a southern California native of the chapparal community which is a photinia relative. It is on a California list under the name Photinia arbutifolia as a plant which is poisonous to humans, but is not listed as toxic to dogs.
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Eliminating skunk cabbage in Troy, NY
May 19, 2009 - My yard is overgrown with skunk cabbage. My question is how do I get rid of it?
view the full question and answer
Toxicity of Texas Mountain Laurel seeds to livestock and dogs?
March 09, 2011 - Are the seeds of the Texas Mountain Laurel poisonous to livestock or dogs? Thanks
view the full question and answer
What to do if Mexican buckeye seeds are eaten
September 09, 2011 - What to do if seeds of the Mexican buckeye are eaten? I didn't know they were toxic.
Please let me know as soon as you can.
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Is Norfolk pine poisonous to cats?
December 11, 2009 - Is a northfork pine poisonous to cats?
view the full question and answer
Do prairie verbenas (Glandularia bipinnatifida) have toxic sap?
March 16, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Wimberley, TX and my 6 year old daughter picked wildflowers for her Mom over the weekend. I believe the species was Prairie Verbena but not 100% certain. Now, fo...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |