Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - July 27, 2014

From: Albuquerque, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Looking for seeds for Carex texensis and Horse Herb
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I am looking for either plants or seeds of Carex texensis and horseherb with no success. I live in the Albuquerque,NM mountain region (at ~6800ft, zone 6). I need something that is very dought resistant and loves shade, especially beneath old beautiful pinon trees. Am I looking in the right direction with these plants and if so, where can I find some? If not, any other ideas? Thanks!

ANSWER:

Carex texensis Carex texensis (Texas sedge) is one of the most common sedges in central Texas, but the USDA distribution map doesn’t show it occurring in New Mexico. This link to Native Seed Network  indicates that the seed are not commercially available. It’s NPIN page indicates that it can be propagated by means of root division.

Horse Herb Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy) is another shade-tolerant ground cover, but its distribution does not include Bernalillo County.

My recommendation is that you contact the New Mexico Native Plant Society and hopefully you can find some one who has these plants who will give you transplants.

 

 

From the Image Gallery


Texas sedge
Carex texensis

Texas sedge
Carex texensis

Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Plants for a sunny, sandy site in Central Texas
January 22, 2015 - I live between La Grange and Schulenburg, Texas. My soil is sandy. Full sun, no trees. I am a senior citizen with limited funds who is allergic to Rye and Bermuda grass. I tried planting a lawn of...
view the full question and answer

Source of Pectis angustifolia from Georgetown TX
December 26, 2012 - You answered an earlier question about Limoncillo (Pectis angustifolia) by saying you had found a source for these seeds in Santa Fe, but the hyperlink was inoperable. I'd like to try to propogate t...
view the full question and answer

Plants indigenous to Sedona, AZ
July 07, 2010 - I live in Sedona AZ and I want to plant indigenous plants in my garden. Is there a list of AZ native plants shrubs and trees that are indigenous to Sedona? If there is no list that is specific f...
view the full question and answer

South Austin Groundcovers for Oak Shade
March 29, 2013 - Hi! I live in S. Austin now but used to work at the Wildflower Center! My backyard is shady with several oak mots. Do you have any suggestions as to what if any ground cover will grow in all that sha...
view the full question and answer

Plant identification from Springfield MA
July 19, 2009 - We have a house next to us that is vacant. The lawn has not been mowed in months. a tall flower has grown amongst the grass and weeds. It is about 3 to 4 feet tall green stem and the flower is about 2...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.