Explore Plants

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
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - July 22, 2010

From: Hempstead, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for Orbexilum from Hempstead TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am looking for a source of plants or seed for a Texas native plant: Mountain Pea, orbexilum sp. (nova). Thank you,

ANSWER:

The only species of the genus orbexilum found in our Native Plant Database is Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's snakeroot). It is a member of the Fabaceae (pea) family, and we saw it referred to in another source as "mountain pea," although most of the sources call it "Sampson's snakeroot." 

From a website called Sagebud, we extracted the following information about this plant:

"Orbexilum Pedunculatum, or more commonly known as Sampson’s Snakeroot, is a forb/herb (a forb/herb is a non-woody plant that is not a grass) of the genus Orbexilum. It’s duration is perennial which means it will grow year after year. Orbexilum Pedunculatum or Sampson’s Snakeroot‘s floral region is North America US Lower 48, specifically in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia."

According to our page on this plant Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's snakeroot), this plant is commercially available. So, we tried our usual go-to mail order seed supplier for natives of this area, Native American Seed. No luck. Next, we went to our National Supplier's Directory and put Hempstead TX into the "Enter Search Location" box, which gave us a number of native seed companies and nurseries in your general area. All have information and contacts; if the specific businesses you get in touch with do not have the seeds for this plant, they may be able to give you information on how to find it. Apparently, this plant is native to East Texas, it is probably growing in your fields somewhere in Waller County. We would also suggest you contact the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Office for Waller County.  They may know a locale where it is growing and you could gather seeds. 

Images of Orbexilum pedunculatum (Sampson's snakeroot) from Google

 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Smarty Plants on seed sources
February 03, 2004 - I'm trying to find a source to buy seed or plants of rose gentian (Sabatia angularis). Do you know a source for seed or plants?
view the full question and answer

Source for Dryopteris Filix-max Rhizomes in East Hanover NJ
June 15, 2009 - We are in search for 100kg Dryopteris Filix-mas (Male Fern) Rhizomes to extract oil Kindly send your offer
view the full question and answer

Where to find Yarrow for sale in the area of Ft. Worth TX?
May 05, 2011 - I'm very fond of the native plant called "Yarrow." Where might I find this in the Fort Worth area, and what are the tips for growing it. Seems like I saw it in one of the gardens at the LBJ Wildf...
view the full question and answer

Need to find a place to buy Western Soapberry in Paris, TX.
May 05, 2012 - Where is the closest place to purchase a Western Soapberry tree?
view the full question and answer

Source of seeds for helianthus salicifolius (Willowleaf sunflower)
February 27, 2008 - Where can I purchase seeds for helianthus salicifolius?
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.