Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
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:
- Planned Parrothood
- Cockatiel Cottage has Trumpet Vines listed under "Toxic Plants".
- Avian Web
- Hot Spot for Birds has a list of plants that are safe for birds.
- BirdsnWays lists toxic, unsafe plants
- Bird Channel
- Animal and Pet Adventures
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:
- Cornell University's Plants Poisonous to Livestock
- Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System
- University of Pennsylvania Poisonous Plants
- Toxic Plants of Texas
- Poisonous Plants of North Carolina lists Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) as mildly toxic if eaten.
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
More Vines Questions
Vine for pergola in Belton TX
February 06, 2013 - Hello,
I would like to know what vine would be best to cover a rather large pergola. It will be in full sun in caliche soil. :( The area has access to a water hose and I would like to have something...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating non-native Asian Jasmine in Austin
December 02, 2010 - I have a large bed in front of the house full of jasmine that was planted by the builder 25 years ago. What suggestions do you have to eliminate it and prepare the bed to plant native flowers and pl...
view the full question and answer
Native vine for privacy fence in Tennessee
September 29, 2008 - I am looking for a vine for privacy that grows in width not up; thru a standard 4' chain link fence. Colorfull. Can you help?
view the full question and answer
Propagation of trumpet vines from Dallas
August 19, 2010 - Can you tell me about trumpet vines, can they be rooted in water? I heard they reseed at the end of their growing season.
view the full question and answer
Identification of shrub looking like honeysuckle in Odessa TX
October 02, 2011 - Bought a shrub in Pecos, TX yesterday. It looks like honeysuckle but the brightest flat orange I have ever seen. Flower and greenery looked like honeysuckle but when I looked on the Internet under or...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
