Differences for “ Safe Plants ”

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<BR>
For those in a hurry, here is a "quick guide" to safe/toxic plants 
and trees:<BR>
[http://www.sugarglider.com/safe_plants.asp? GliderGossip Safe Plants Matrix]
  
  
  
==== <nowiki>WARNING:  MANY PLANTS ARE TOXIC, IN WHOLE OR IN PART.  THIS 
ARTICLE IS  INTENDED  TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND REFERENCES SO YOU CAN DETERMINE 
FOR YOURSELF WHAT IS SAFE AND WHAT IS NOT.</nowiki> ====
  
Before offering your sugar gliders any plant material  (other (other than common
fruits and vegetables) it's recommended that you research first.  Don't give
them anything unless you know that it's safe; for example, tomatoes, potatoes
and eggplant all belong to the nightshade family, and all plant parts are
poisonous except the fruit.
  
Don't rely on the common name.  There are three unrelated plants called Mock 
Orange; two are safe and one is toxic:  Prunus caroliana, also called Cherry 
Laurel or Carolina cherry laurel. This plant contains cyanogenic glycoside.  Do 
not give any part of it to your little ones.  
<Image("PrunuCa4.jpg,,,left,,default")/>
  
  
It's best, if possible, that you grow the plants yourself or know your 
supplier.  Be sure that there have been no chemicals used on or near the 
plants.  If you live in a city that commonly sprays for mosquitoes, then you 
can't grow safe plants; if your neighbor uses chemical fertilizers or 
pesticides, then you can't grow safe plants as the wind will bring those 
chemicals to your garden as well.  Never pick flowers or leaves from a public 
park, as all park systems use chemicals for many applications.
  
  
Don't give your gliders flowers purchased from a florist shop or the floral 
department of a grocery store.  Most commercial flowers have been treated with 
preservatives and fungicides to keep them looking fresh and pretty for a longer 
period of time.  Some groceries offer edible flowers in the produce section, 
with the fresh herbs.  Gliders will tear the flower to pieces going after the 
pollen and nectar at the base of the petals.  
  
With branches from trees, check first to be sure that there is no fungus.  
Interior fungi like those that cause spalting or brown-rot can be seen on the 
cut end of the branch.   Exterior fungi are usually very easily seen.  Spotted 
leaves generally indicate a fungus or bacterial problem.  Any infected branch 
should be discarded. 
  
Remember:  if you don't know what it is, don't give it to your gliders.
  
----
  
**Safe Plants**
  
  
Apple and crabapple:  Malus domestica.  The wood, blossoms and fruit are safe,  
seeds are toxic.
  
Bamboo:  Poaceae sp.  Over seven thousand varieties.  The shoots are edible, 
and should be boiled to remove the bitter taste.   Giant bamboo contains 
cyanide.
  
Bee balm:  Monarda didyma.  Leaves and flowers.  Very sweet.
  
Bottlebrush:  Callistemon citrinus.  This is an Australian native that grows 
well in the warmer climates of the United States.  All parts are safe.
  
Coreopsis:  Coreopsis lanceolata.  Leaves and flowers.
  
Dandelion:  Taraxacum officinale.  Leaves and flowers.  Leaves should be picked 
young; old dandelion leaves have a bitter taste.
  
Eucalyptus:  Eucalyptus globulus.  Wood, leaves and flowers.  The sap of the 
eucalyptus is a mainstay of the wild glider diet.  Also, wild gliders build 
their homes in eucalyptus trees, and so your gliders will want to nest with the 
leaves .  
  
Geranium:  Pelargonium sp.  Leaves and flowers.  There are many scented 
varieties available; one of my favorites is the rose geranium.
  
Hibiscus:  More than 200 species exist, native to all parts of the world.  They 
are tropical or sub-tropical and for the most part don't grow in colder 
climates.  Exceptions include the Hibiscus syriacus, or Rose of Sharon, and H. 
moscheutos, or Swamp Rose-mallow, which handle cold winters well.  There is 
some controversy about the leaves being toxic to dogs, so I would offer only 
the flowers.
  
Magnolia: Magnoliaofficinalis. Flowers only.  Bark used for herbal remedies and 
there is concern about alkaloid content. 
  
Magnolia, Southern: Magnolia grandiflora.  Flowers only. 
  
Mock Orange:  Philadelphus coronarius.  Non-toxic.  I recommend flowers only.
  
Mock Orange:  Pittosporum tobira.  Non-toxic.  I recommend flowers only.
  
Mulberry:  Morus rubra (red), Morus alba (white).  Native to Asia, Europe,  
Africa, the Americas.  Fruit only.  White mulberry sap is toxic to humans, but 
the wood is listed as safe for birds and chinchillas.  
  
Nasturtium:  Tropaeolum majus.  Leaves, flowers.
  
Pear:  Pyrus sp.   The wood, blossoms and fruit are safe,  seeds are toxic.  
Related to Apple.
  
Phlox:  Phlox peniculata.  Flowers.
  
Pot Marigold:  Calendula officinalis.  Flowers.  
  
Rose:  Rosa sp.  Too many species and cultivars to list.  Offer only the 
flowers.  DO NOT offer roses from a florist.
  
Squash and zucchini:  Cucurbita sp.  Flowers are edible and very tasty.
  
Violets:  Viola sp.  Includes common violet, pansy, johnny jump-up, and more.  
Flowers and leaves are edible.
  
Yucca:  Yucca sp.  Flowers.
  
References:
[http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/images/PrunuCa4.htm ]
[http://www.busybirds.net/Toxic.html ]
[http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ ]
[http://www.eucproducts.com/benefits.html ]
  
A "quick guide" to safe/toxic plants and trees:<BR>
[http://www.sugarglider.com/safe_plants.asp? GliderGossip Safe Plants Matrix]