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
Wednesday - June 06, 2012
From: Elmendorf, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Rare or Endangered Plants, Propagation, Trees
Title: Propogating snowbells from Elmendorf TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Is it possible to propagate Styrax platanifolius and Halesia diptera from cuttings? If yes, what is the process?ANSWER:
Styrax platanifolius (Sycamoreleaf snowbell) - native to Bexar County
From our webpage on this plant:
"A shrub or small tree with dark gray bark. Should not be disturbed. Rare and endangered. Leaves broadly ovate to almost circular, up to 4 inches long, with smooth margins and a broad tip, or with a terminal lobe and a lateral one on each side of it, and a lobed to rounded base. Flowers in small clusters, drooping, with 5 white petals up to 5/8 inch long, suggesting little bells, opening in April and May. Fruit a rounded capsule about 3/8 inch in diameter, with a short tip, the base covered with a remnant (calyx) of the flower."
One of our jobs is the protection and preservation of rare and endangered plants, so we will pass on this one.
Halesia diptera (Two-wing silverbell) - native to East Texas
"Description: Cuttings are difficult to root; those that do root should not be transplanted until growth flushes the following spring. Seeds require a period of after-ripening followed by cold, moist stratification."
From the Image Gallery
More Rare or Endangered Plants Questions
Looking for Texas endangered trees to plant
May 14, 2011 - I have 2 acres of good soil that does not have any trees. I would love to give life to native Texas endangered trees but I can not purchase them anywhere. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Non-endangered medicinal plants to Echinacea
November 08, 2006 - A recent issue of the Wildflower Center said that echinacea is endangered and it is best to use a substitute, but did not give a good substitute. (Only oregon grape was listed as a substitute for gold...
view the full question and answer
Research on decline of Quercus hinckleyi
February 20, 2007 - I am doing a research project on the Hinckley's Oak (Quercus hinckleyi) and am in need of statistical data regarding the decline of this plant. I have been unable to find any data in this area. Any s...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Herbertia lahue
May 03, 2005 - Herbertia lahue is now blooming in Russ Pitman
Park in Bellaire, TX. Below is a story about it.
I heard that the plant is a protected species, but I could not find
anything to confirm that. Could y...
view the full question and answer
Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |