AnonymousUpdate by edhat staff
The City Parks Department confirmed there are no Sago Palms in this area and the only palm tree is the Chilean Wine Palm which produces fruit/seeds that are non-toxic. Additionally, Sago Palms rarely produce seeds and they are only on female plants.
By an edhat reader
My dog ate a seed in the lawn area near the Santa Barbara Mission and I’m unsure if it’s toxic or not. It could be a regular palm tree seed or the toxic Sago palm seed, they both look similar.
Do edhat readers have any insight? Anything to cure this dog mom’s anxiety would be super helpful.
Never heard of palm coconuts being toxic to humans or dogs. We have a Queen palm that is busily pelting us (and the yard) with tiny palm “berries.” She’s been tossing these little oranges orbs down for over a decade now. It’s that time of year. The outside layer is kind of sticky/goopy/stringy and tastes like butterscotch. Inside there is a tiny bit of “cokernut,” also known as “pygmy cococut.” Very much like regular coconut. Edible. Our dogs haven’t had any reaction at all to chomping on these miniature coconuts, so it’s okay for you to stop worrying.
P.S. (Sago palm seed ingestion by a dog is another matter. Online info says not to wait to see any ill effects, but to see a Vet immediately. I sure hope your dog didn’t eat a Sago palm seed.)
Great idea, depending on where the tree is! His name is Tim Downey, he’s very nice and helpful. (805) 564-5592 TDowney@SantaBarbaraCA.gov