Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - December 18, 2011
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Edible Plants
Title: Ground cover plant that tastes like cucumbers
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
It is a native ground cover plant that is edible and tastes like cucumbers. Found in the Edwards Plateau. What is the name?ANSWER:
I think most probably you are talking about Parietaria pensylvanica (Pennsylvania cucumber plant). You can see its distribution in Texas on the USDA Plants Database map. Here is more information and photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network and still more photos. Delena Tull in Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest says:
"Try a nibble of the small leaves and juicy stems of Parietaria. Though not related to the cucumber, the flavor of this tiny herb comes close to that of the garden cucumber. The herb provides a refreshing addition to salads."
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Identifying
September 01, 2007 - i have a tree that i cannot identify. the leaf looks like a "pot plant"(yes, cannabis!!), but the leaf does not have serrated edges. it has a long bloom of numerous small white flowers that form a s...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
February 20, 2014 - I'm not sure of county of origin. It was given to me by someone I no longer have contact with. When I initially received it I thought it was just a small potted vine of some type. I've had it a yea...
view the full question and answer
Identity of tree in South Carolina
August 18, 2015 - I don't know if this is native as I'm new to South Carolina. This is a tree about 40' tall. The leaves are trilobal, 10" to a foot across/long and are trilobal, not glossy and have big veins. T...
view the full question and answer
Mystery plant in VA
May 06, 2011 - We bought a new house with an established garden bed last fall. We have a tall single stemmed plant with long slightly twisted leaves that looks like a tall tulip plant. However, it is just starting...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification, possibly Datura
September 07, 2007 - I have a wide green-leafed plant that has white flowers.
This plant also has some thorny fruits in the shape of mines that float on the ocean. At the moment it is 2 feet high.
I'm beginning to wo...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |