By Jeff Schalau
Javelina are omnivorous animals with poor eyesight and a keen sense of smell. They browse and eat roots of many plants. Their diet changes with food availability in their environment. They may also nibble on or dig up plants that they do not actually eat.
The plant names on this list represent plants less likely to be eaten by javelina, but there are no guarantees that they won’t touch them. The only certain method to prevent plant injury is through exclusion (a fence of other barrier). This list was complied from a technical report researched and written by Cindy Ticer of Arizona Game and Fish Department. Ticer studied urban javelina in the Prescott area in 1993 and utilized 300 homeowner interviews concerning javelina eating habits.
Common Name Botanical Name
Allysum Allysum .......................... Allysum spp.
Basil.................................................. Ocimum spp.
Butterfly Bush ................................ Buddleia spp.
Carnations...................................... Dianthus spp.
Chili Pepper............................ Capsicum annuum
Chrysanthemum ............... Chrysanthemum spp.
Cosmos .............................................. Cosmso spp.
Cottonwood Trees .......................... Populus spp.
Cucumbers ..................................Cucumis sativus
Daffodils ........................................ Narcissus spp.
Dahlias................................................ Dahlia spp
Daylily ...................................... Hemerocallis spp
Deerbrush .................................... Ceanothus spp.
Easter Lily ............................ Lillium longiflorum
Eggplant .................................. Solanum melogena
Fir Trees ................................................ Abies spp.
Geraniums .................................... Geranium spp.
Gladiola ..........................................Gladiolus spp.
Globe Amaranth ....................... Gomphrena spp.
Hen & Chicks .......................... Echeveria elegans
Hibiscus........................................... Hibiscus spp.
Ice Plant ....................... Mesembryanthemum spp.
Iris ............................................................. Iris spp.
Ivy .......................................................Hedera spp.
Juniper Shrubs ............................. Juniperus spp.
Juniper Trees................................. Juniperus spp.
Larkspur .....................................Delphinium spp.
Common Name Botanical Name
Lilac .................................................. Syringa spp.
Manzanita ............................. Arctostaphylos spp.
Maple Trees ......................................... Acer spp.
Marigolds .......................................... Tagetes spp.
Mountain Mahogany .............. Cercocarpus spp.
Oak Trees ........................................ Quercus spp.
Pampas Grass .........................Cortaderia selloana
Pansies ................................................... Viola spp.
Peonies ............................................. Paeonia spp.
Petunias ........................................ Petunia hybrida
Pine Trees ............................................. Pinus spp.
Portulaca ............................. Portulaca grandiflora
Red-Hot Poker .......................... Kniphofia uvaria
Rose bushes .......................................... Rosa spp.
Rosemary ......................... Rosemarinus officinalis
Sage .............................................. Salvia officinalis
Santolina ................................................ Santolina
Shrub Live Oak ...................... Quercus turbinella
Silktassel....................................... Garrya wrightii
Skunkbush ......................................Rhus trilobata
Snapdragons ..........................Antirrhinum majus
Spruce Trees.......................................... Picea spp.
Sweet William ....................... Dianthus barbatus
Vinca ..................................................... Vinca spp.
Violas ..................................................... Viola spp.
Zinnia ................................................. Zinnia spp.
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