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 - September 02, 2008
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Curing plant rash
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I went walking in the woods a few weeks ago, and my leg swiped some kind of cactus or something. It scratched me up and I had to remove little white spines with tweezers. I developed an intensely itchy rash that three weeks later is just as bad as when it first happened. It is not poison ivy or anything.. I have no idea what it is and it is not getting any better. I tried using Tea Tree oil and Shea oil.. it helps a little but has not cured the problem. I don't want to take any pharmaceutical drugs. Do you know how I can resolve this naturally?ANSWER:
We don't think we can answer your question since giving medical advice is not really in our province, but it seems that after three weeks you might want to consult with a medical doctor. However, we may be able to help you identify the cause. If the offending plant was a cactus, it was likely Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Christmas cactus), also known as Pencil cactus or Tasajillo. Other possible offenders include Urtica chamaedryoides (heartleaf nettle), Cnidoscolus texanus (Texas bullnettle), and Tragia spp, (Noseburn). A less likely candidate (because it's not native to that area but occurs not too far away) is Cevallia sinuata (stinging serpent), Finally, any number of insects with stining hairs, including saddleback caterpillars and stinging asps may have assaulted you.
From the Image Gallery
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Plants repellant to snakes
October 20, 2007 - Is there anything a gardener can plant to keep snakes away, especially poisonous snakes? Are there plants that attract snakes (Our dog was bitten by a cottonmouth right near our back porch a couple of...
view the full question and answer
Identification of plant with red berries toxic to dogs
August 29, 2011 - I recently retrieved my poor doggy from the Vet. He had eaten a berry from an invasive-commonly seen brushy plant growing along my neighbors fence line. We try to keep our side clear-but the small lar...
view the full question and answer
Petals of flowers on cake from London
August 28, 2010 - Hi could you confirm that Gemini, Lisianthus and Lilies are non toxic if positioned onto a fresh cream cake (stem will be paced into a vial but the petals will come into contact with the cream). Thank...
view the full question and answer
Tough, Non-toxic Vine to Cover Fence in Washington
February 16, 2014 - I have about 150 feet of 6-foot high chain link fence that I would like to cover with a vine for privacy. I really want an evergreen or semi-evergreen plant that requires very little care. I also don...
view the full question and answer
Are seeds of Tecoma stans (yellow bells) toxic to birds
June 22, 2008 - We have several Tacoma Stans in our yard and several pets (dogs & a Cockatoo). My Too is very interested in the beans of this plant. Are the beans poisonous to birds? Dogs?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |