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
Saturday - March 23, 2013
From: Fairfield, CA
Region: California
Topic: Problem Plants
Title: Smoking mint instead of tobacco from Fairfield CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I realize this is a stupid question, but i am a little curious about this. Anyway I heard more people are smoking mint leaves to help cure their addiction to tobacco and i was wondering if it is safe? I know that smoking in general is bad, but i want to know if there is anything specific in mint that can harm the lungs.ANSWER:
There are several reasons why this question falls out of Mr. Smarty Plant's expertise. Our focus is on the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow naturally. There are170 plants in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to North America, but you are probably asking about the mints native to the Meditteranean area of Europe, widely used for fragrance and food flavoring. So that's the first reason we wouldn't be able to answer questions about smoking it. The second reason is that our first name is "Smarty," which precludes our making any comment at all on the wisdom of sticking any burning plant in our mouth and inhaling the fumes.
More Problem Plants Questions
Problem with weeds in the buffalograss
June 11, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I'm about to throw in the towel!
My back 'lawn' of buffalo grass (609) is almost all 'weeds'! Native ruellia and lyre leaf sage have taken over and as the area has gott...
view the full question and answer
Invasive native blackeyed susans from Warren OH
August 07, 2013 - In our demo garden we master gardeners in NE Ohio have been unable to get rid of black-eyed susans which have, like the other person, prevented or "killed" the other perennial plants. They are spre...
view the full question and answer
Invasive thistles in wildflower field from Dripping Springs TX
February 17, 2014 - How to get rid of "native" thistles.. I have a large natural field that used to grow a variety of wildflowers, but in 2011 and 2012 it was taken over by thistles. I'm sure they are "native" Texas...
view the full question and answer
Removal of Ashe juniper trees
April 19, 2015 - I have 15 acres with scattered huge oak and elm trees with tens of thousands of Ashe Juniper (cedar) trees 2” to 10” in diameter growing within the drip zone of the hardwoods. How do I take out the c...
view the full question and answer
How can I eradicate Mexican Petunia from my garden in Vacaville CA?
July 02, 2009 - Can you tell me the best way to eradicate the plant Ruellia, commonly known as Mexican Petunia, from my garden?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |