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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.

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Monday - October 22, 2007

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native Gingko biloba in Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Does a Ginkgo biloba tree grow easily in the Austin area? Does it take extra care to keep it alive?

ANSWER:

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is focused on the care and propagation of plants native to North America. The Ginkgo biloba is about as non-native as you can get. In fact, it is considered a living fossil. It was actually thought to be extinct, but was found in China, where it is believed monks may have kept it going for hundreds of years. Click on the link for a site that has all the information you could ever want about this unique plant.
 

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