Explore Plants
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.
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
Thursday - October 27, 2011
From: Jasper, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Shrubs
Title: Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) in Jasper TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Carolina allspice (calycanthus floridus) grows in my yard in East Texas. It is native to the eastern U.S., but I notice there is a variety whose distribution extends through Louisiana. Since I live in Jasper County, is it possible that this plant's range has extended into eastern Texas? I did not plant it but live in an old neighborhood where I first noticed it growing up in a large azalea.ANSWER:
You are right that Calycanthus floridus (Eastern sweetshrub) is native to the eastern United States. The USDA Plants Database distribution map shows that the nearest occurrence to Texas is Louisiana for the variety, Calycanthus floridus var. glaucus. The highlighted parish where it has been reported is West Feliciana. If you click on the highlighted parish, it will show the names of all the Louisiana parishes. Jasper County, Texas is probably far enough from West Feliciana Parish for the plant not to have moved over from its Louisiana neighbor without a little help. The most likely explanation for its occurrence in your neighborhood is that someone liked it and transplanted it there. It is certainly recommended as a landscape plant and is available in many nurseries. The environment in Jasper wouldn't be very different from that of West Feliciana Parish so it should thrive there.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant Identification
July 06, 2008 - I am trying to identify a small tree or large plant here in Indiana. I have seen it from 6 ft to as tall as 15 to 20. It is a green leaf with pink cone shaped growth at the ends of a branch. The co...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification, possibly Actaea rubra, red baneberry
August 06, 2008 - I came across a plant that has leaves similar to the astillbe shrub, stands about 3 feet high, and instead of a flower spire, has a chunk of bright red berries the size of medium-sized pearls atop its...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
July 28, 2010 - I am trying to identify a plant that was given as a gift.It is growing outside in a pot, it is about 20 inches tall. Has green leaves on top, purple underneath and lovely purple flowers. Seems to lik...
view the full question and answer
Identity of vine growing in New Jersey
July 03, 2012 - Hello!
I am hoping you may be able to help me out in identifying a vine plant that has started to grow from under my deck, through the lattice and up the outside of my deck. I bought the house 2 y...
view the full question and answer
Is Tagetes lemmonii a Texas native?
July 15, 2008 - Is the Copper Canyon Daisy (Tagetes lemmonii) a native Texas plant?
view the full question and answer
 |
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. |
