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
2 ratings

Sunday - May 25, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Propagation of Arisaema dracontium
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We are fortunate enough to own an 8-acre drainage next to Bull Creek preserve, and it has several stands of Green Dragon (Arisaema Dracontium) growing in it. How can we propagate this plant and share it with our friends that have similar native habitats in the area?

ANSWER:

The webpage on Arisaema dracontium (green dragon) has propagation instructions, down toward the bottom of the page. This plant is considered rare in Texas, but we could not find it on any endangered or threatened plant species lists. Please note the warning on that page that all parts of this plant are toxic. Not only should you wear gloves when you are retrieving the seeds, but you should make sure children are warned and watched, as the bright red seeds/berries are very appetizing looking. And pass this warning on, also, to anyone with whom you share the plant.

In the propagation instructions, you are told you may do so by either seeds or tuber division. The instructions are pretty clear on the seeds, but here are some instructions from the University of Florida Extension on Propagation by division.


Arisaema dracontium

Arisaema dracontium

Arisaema dracontium

Arisaema dracontium

 

 

More Propagation Questions

Propagation of native Ohio buckeye from seed
September 25, 2008 - My granddaughter has collected "buck eyes"; can we plant them to start our own tree? If so, how do we go about it!
view the full question and answer

Lookink for bulbs of German Blue Bells in Weatherford, TX.
July 09, 2012 - I am searching for a plant that is called "German Blue Bells". They are tubular as seed. Like tiny iris only bands around the tubular. The flower looks like a morning glory with an off set bloom....
view the full question and answer

Student wants pointers to increase germination rate of Salvia farinacea in Lubbock, Texas
October 06, 2010 - I am a student at Texas Tech, studying environmental horticulture. I have been doing research on Salvia farinacea as well as a number of other natives. I've just been assigned a project to increase t...
view the full question and answer

Age before blooming of a Fendler rupicola from Elmendorf TX
April 06, 2014 - How old does a Fendlera rupicola plant have to be before it will bloom?
view the full question and answer

Will horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) survive planting in July
July 14, 2008 - I live in Southwest Austin and I am planting horseherb groundcover in my back yard that is part-shade. Can I plant this right now (July) or is it too hot to plant?
view the full question and answer

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