Two Types of Umbrella Plants:: BEWARE

[MarieMc44]

A buddy of mine just got an umbrella plant and unfortunately, it's the Schefflera Actinophylla (the toxic one, opposed to Eriogonum Umbrellum which is the safe kind). Please make sure you are getting the correct variation... I know Chamies don't usually eat plants, but just as a precaution I suggested he get rid of it... Right move??

MAKE SURE YOU'RE READING THE SCIENTIFIC NAMES!!

 

[Lathis]

Do you mean Schefflera arboricola? Eriogonum umbrellum is not what is typically marketed as an "umbrella plant". Both arboricola and actinophylla are listed on several websites as "potentially dangerous" to house pets. Honestly, most of the "safe" plants we use have the potential to be dangerous if ingested in quantity or they have irritating sap: most of the ficus family, all of the Scheffleras, pothos (Epipremnum aureum), crotons etc.

Obviously, if you do have a cham who nibbles on the plants, you want to be extra careful about what you put in his cage. It's always good to be educated on the potential toxicity of plants if you have pets or kids in the house.

 

[sapphira80]

So Schefflera arboricola it's dangerous for chameleons?? I've seen it listed on several sites as safe and I've been looking for one for my Jackson's enclosure. I haven't been able to find one, which is the only reason one isn't in there now.



Thank you for bringing this to attention.

 

[JlaPinska]

my veiled chomps on all of his plants, on top of eating spring mix (variations of greens) from a bowl. 1 ficus, 2 aboricolas, and 4 pothos. i am just lucky the umbrellas and pothos grow faster than he can eat it. hasn't bothered him at he's almost 11 months old now

 

[Lathis]

Jackson's are much less likely to munch on plants than veileds or panthers. In three years of having a Jacksons with umbrellas plants (arbicolas) and pothos, my Jackson cham has eaten exactly one plant: a tiny piece of raspberry.

Schleffera arbicola could be dangerous if ingested in a large quantity. What I would do is monitor my chameleon and see if he nibbles on plants. If so, I would offer him veggies and greens. If he continued to eat plants, I would remove anything dangerous.

 

[Lathis]

Hibiscus has been discussed as a safe plant that chams can eat. If you have a cham who likes of eat his plants, a hibiscus might be a good option.