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

Sunday - June 26, 2011

From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Is hummingbird vine poisonous to parrots?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Is hummingbird vine poisonous to parrots? I am setting up vines and plants around the aviary and would like to use this vine if it's not poisonous.

ANSWER:

I could find two vines that are called "hummingbird vine"—one native vine, Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) and the non-native, Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine).  I found several lists for birds for toxic and non-toxic plants from:

Unfortunately, only the last two lists have scientific names for the plants, the most reliable name by which to identify them.  I also checked several other toxic plant databases that are not specific to birds:

Since trumpet vine appears on two different lists, it would be my advice not to use it.  Although cypress vine does not appear on any of the lists, I would advice you not to use it either.   Just because a plant isn't on the list, it doesn't automatically mean it isn't toxic.  I think I would pick something from the lists of "safe" plants to put in the aviary.  The Bird Channel lists honeysuckle as safe.   Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) is a Central Texas evergreen native that has beautiful red flowers.  Cockatiel Cottage, Hot Spot for Birds and Animal and Pet Adventures list passion flower vines as safe.  Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower), Passiflora affinis (Bracted passionflower) and Passiflora lutea (Yellow passion vine) are native to Central Texas.

 

From the Image Gallery


Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans



Bracted passionflower
Passiflora affinis

Yellow passionflower
Passiflora lutea

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens

More Vines Questions

Need some information about wild native grapes in Gatlinburg, TN.
August 13, 2010 - We have some wild grapevines growing on a southern exposure eroded bank. They are providing assistance in reducing erosion with rapid growth. Do these plants develop ground contact as they grow? In...
view the full question and answer

Flowering vine with yellow flowers in Nevada
August 10, 2014 - A flowering vine started growing in our Henderson back yard about 2 months ago. It has variegated green leaves & yellow flowers. We decided not to pull it out & now it's spreading. I've looked on v...
view the full question and answer

Should grape vines be covered in winter from San Antonio
February 07, 2011 - Do I need to cover grape vines in winter?
view the full question and answer

Huckleberries and blueberries from Vancouver WA
April 14, 2013 - Can you plant a blueberry next to a huckleberry?
view the full question and answer

Non-flowering deciduous vine for Phoenix AZ
March 27, 2011 - Are there any non-flowering deciduous vines native to the Southwest? I'd like to plant them to shade our windows in the hot Phoenix summers. If only perennials are available, can I cut it back each w...
view the full question and answer

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