Plant ID / Safety help plz? photos inside

Hey all,

I am in the process of a major free-range build for my cham (https://www.chameleonforums.com/mega-self-standing-free-range-build-3x3x8-build-log-64531/) and I got these plants at the local nursery.

In terms of size / look they are perfect for what I am going for, but I almost forgot to check if they are toxic!!

The first one I think is a dracaena (sp?) and I believe it is safe.

The second one I just absolutely love that plant!! its a roughly 5 foot palm with 2 foot wide leaves! really fantastic for setting the jungle element in my build (i realize climbing may be an issue on these plants, they are for aesthetics mostly; he will have SEVERAL other things to climb on be assured!) however, i have NO clue what it is or what its called and most importantly if its safe for my ambilobe or not??

can anyone help me out?


EDIT: the second plant is called "ALOCASIA" on my invoice

the first one is a Dracaena fragrans and it is safe and the second plant looks like elephant ear and i have no clue if that is safe or not

first one is a corn plant, yes dracena family. and the second one is a california elephant ears, that is what my mom calls them lol. would not think the elephant ears would be toxic. just look it up if your not sure.

Maybe its a money tree?

according ot my invoice it is an "ALOCASIA" which I believe is an Aroid and some have said aroids are toxic?? although an over-generalization like that is hard to believe imo but I'm trying to be doubly cautious.


i'm quite sure it is NOT a money tree. it does seem to be an elephant ear plant ...now to just worry about toxicitiy :x

What you should do if you are worried about it being toxic I would bring them back and use flchams.com safe plant list they have it from a-z.just search for safe plant list.

in doubt? dont use it. its safer that way!

yes i'm aware of flchams list, but visual appeal is a very important factor and this plant is perfect, so I'd rather try to remove the doubt if possible


are any of the plants on the "known" safelist similar in look to this one ? I want a LARGE leafed tropical-esque plant that doesn't grow super tall 4-5' ish max

From what I've read, elephant ear can be at least somewhat toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. The most common effect on humans seems to be soreness of the throat and tongue. Other than that, I've also read that the plant is high in oxalates. If your cham were to eat much of the plant, even if the toxins don't have an effect, the oxalates will. They interfere with calcium absorption and can lead to MBD.

If it were me, I would either return the plant or keep it somewhere away from the cham and other pets.

As far as a similar-looking alternative... I'm sorry, but I'm not that good. xD

Maybe I can try to find something later, but I'm tired (and supposed to be writing an essay).

Info: http://www.pawsdogdaycare.com/Start-Up-Services/Plants-Poisonous-To-Pets-Elephant-Ears.htm

Liet said:

From what I've read, elephant ear can be at least somewhat toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. The most common effect on humans seems to be soreness of the throat and tongue. Other than that, I've also read that the plant is high in oxalates. If your cham were to eat much of the plant, even if the toxins don't have an effect, the oxalates will. They interfere with calcium absorption and can lead to MBD.

If it were me, I would either return the plant or keep it somewhere away from the cham and other pets.

As far as a similar-looking alternative... I'm sorry, but I'm not that good. xD

Maybe I can try to find something later, but I'm tired (and supposed to be writing an essay).

Info: http://www.pawsdogdaycare.com/Start-Up-Services/Plants-Poisonous-To-Pets-Elephant-Ears.htm

Click to expand...

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Liet said:

From what I've read, elephant ear can be at least somewhat toxic to humans, cats, and dogs. The most common effect on humans seems to be soreness of the throat and tongue. Other than that, I've also read that the plant is high in oxalates. If your cham were to eat much of the plant, even if the toxins don't have an effect, the oxalates will. They interfere with calcium absorption and can lead to MBD.

If it were me, I would either return the plant or keep it somewhere away from the cham and other pets.

As far as a similar-looking alternative... I'm sorry, but I'm not that good. xD

Maybe I can try to find something later, but I'm tired (and supposed to be writing an essay).

Info: http://www.pawsdogdaycare.com/Start-Up-Services/Plants-Poisonous-To-Pets-Elephant-Ears.htm

Click to expand...

In addition to the above information,
and yes all of the Alocasia species i know of are at least somewhat toxic to very toxic, i would not use it in your chameleons cage because they are highly susceptible to many pests including white-fly and aphids but are most prone to mites! And once they have them they are damn near impossible to get rid of. I believe as pretty as they are these large broad leaved "elephant ears" belong in the ground outside. I wouldn't return it if you have an outdoor place to put it?

Bah I was afraid of that....he never eats his leaves but its not worth the risk. They had a ficus that would work and was kinda ok, but visually these guys were just so much better :\

perhaps i'll keep them in my patio

I think ficus can be very nice especially if you get a large braided one. Variegated pathos with bright yellow and green contrasts are nice too. Especially if you have a way to hang a large one. REAL vines!

lol yes pothos is going to be used but that is about as simple of a plant as you can get. I am building a large display setup so "houseplants" are things I am trying to avoid...I want to find something you don't see everyday to induce that exotic feeling.

Ficus are all just so ....bland....

I agree with you on the REAL part! I only use live plants in all my enclosures...well I use some bio-vine too sometimes o

I was thinking it might be nice to try and find some native plants for your guys local. Especially if your using a large enough area for some "trees". I also love tillandsias in enclosures they look great and are useful for catching h2o drops to drink from.

split leaf philodendron looks similar and is safe if your going for visual appeal, i have one of those in my cage.

Yep I have a ton of tilladnsias.

@Derw V: thanks for the suggest on split leaf philo, i'll take a look at philos in general i guess thats what i have to settle for in place.

Drew V said:

split leaf philodendron looks similar and is safe if your going for visual appeal, i have one of those in my cage.

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Philodendron is toxic. I do love them, have many, would Not put one in a cage.

PeriTanz said:

Philodendron is toxic. I do love them, have many, would Not put one in a cage.

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its on FL chams safe list ... i have one so i hope its not toxic ...

SPLIT-LEAF PHILODENDRON also CUT-LEAF PHILODENDRON (Monstera deliciosa)

iv never really had a cham that loved to chow on his plants .. so idk could be. I do recall having read some if not most philodendron being toxic though, one that i really wanted to use =/ lol. But i think FL chams list is pretty trusted ..

I have heard conflicting reports on the philo's as well but I know they are very commonly used in dart frog setups, so I am under the impression that any toxicity that does exist is in terms of ingestion and not skin-contact.

My guy never munches on anything but his food so its a minor problem but I am still keeping an eye out on alternatives...