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.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| topic | question | |
| Herbal properties of Dicentra formosa January 23, 2016 I would like to get some information on the Dicentra formosa plant such as the benefits of the plant. Is it poisonous? Can it be infused in an oil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Edible Plants of Florida April 06, 2015 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants My name is Gabriel Bedoya; Im anthropologist, with large experience in research of traditional culinary, symbolic systems and native kitchens. Due to my experience in those s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Viguiera dentate leaves toxic to dogs? November 26, 2014 Many dogs on the Turkey Creek Nature Trail in Emma Long Metropolitan Park love to snack on the leaves of the Viguiera Dentata plants. The leaves SEEM to be harmless. I am writing to request informat... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Shrub with thorns, black fruit and citrus fragrance in Michigan September 19, 2014 I'm not sure that my plant is a native, but I'm hoping to find some answer. There is a small patch of roadside shrubs on my property which I've been unable to identify. They have simple opposite ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lists of medicinal plants from New York City April 11, 2014 Do you know any resources for lists of medicinal plants native to New York? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Different colors of Argemone spp. from McAllen TX March 16, 2014 I took pictures of at least 5 colors of pricklepoppy today. Is this common to have so many colors in one area? How do I harvest the seedpods and when is the best time to do so? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lippia alba for sale at Wildflower Center June 09, 2013 Do you have this plant for sale Lippia Alba. thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sharing Selfheal with Texas Friends April 25, 2013 I have discovered selfheal plants in my yard. When and how do I collect the seeds or do I just dig up plants to share with friends? I understand this is actually an herb. I love identifying wildflower... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Edible and Medicinal Plant Resources for West Texas March 02, 2013 I am a teacher of gifted and talented students in Paint Rock, Texas. We were looking for a reliable book or website for edible and medicinal plants in West Texas. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Food and medicinal value of Parsley Hawthorn March 01, 2013 I have found several sites that talk about how the parsley hawthorn is edible and how the hawthorn berry in general is really great for the heart, but I did not find any mention of this on your info a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) edible? December 21, 2012 I found a post here about cenizo leaves being used for tea, but I'm wondering if the leaves of the cenizo are edible? I have found many recipes for 'brown butter sage' leaves (sauteed often with on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a vine in El Paso, Texas November 23, 2012 I live in Del Rio Texas - Zone 8/9 and I have a vine which can't be identified. It looks like a morning glory white flower with crimson throat, but the leaf pattern is like a 5-7 fingered hand with d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas plants useful to early settlers June 05, 2012 I'm working on some interpretation for a prairie heritage trail in SE TX (near Houston). I'd like to know where I can find some good information on plant remedies which might have been used by early... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fiber and dye plants at the Wildflower Center from Round Rock TX May 24, 2012 When I visited the Wildflower Center recently I noticed a garden labeled as containing fiber and dye plants, but the individual plants and their uses were not all labeled. I would be very interested ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Dog eats Celtis laevigata, sugar hackberry May 21, 2012 This is an odd question but I am a biologist and have for years notice an odd behavior in my Golden Retriever. When he gets stomach distress or something makes him nervous like an incoming thunderstor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Growing fruits and vegetables from Holbrook NY April 06, 2012 I have been looking for information on what plants, vegetables and fruits can be grown on Long Island NY to provide a sustainable food source for a community in the event of food becoming scarce. Wha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Negative and positive effects of invasive dandelions from Rama Ontario January 12, 2012 How do Dandelions have a negative impact of being a invasive and a Positive impact of being a invasive species ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| List of plants native to the Abilene, Texas area September 15, 2011 Am looking for direction to a complete list of plants native to the Abilene, Taylor County, Texas area (trees, shrubs, grasses, cacti and other plants that grew here before cultivation, eradication or... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifying a plant similar to sarsaparilla September 04, 2011 I am trying to identify a plant that looks very similar to sasparilla, but has a ring of blue berries at the end of a long stalk, and the plant itself is spreading, not an isolated herb like sasparill... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What gives the Creosote bush its characteristic smell? August 09, 2011 Good evening, Mr. Smarty Plants, There is a question which I would please like to ask regarding a plant called "Creosote Bush" (Larrea tridentata)- does it actually smell like the creosote... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to grow Blue Cohosh in Lewisville TX May 05, 2010 I bought Blue Cohosh seeds from an online website, but I do not know how or where to plant them and what will guarantee germination, and the instructions that came with the package are very vague. The... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Use of North American native in India October 09, 2009 I got mail from someone who is living in U.K asking me to co-ordinate for getting the "Silphium terebinthinaceum seed" from various places for one Pharmaceutical company as a business. Is it the com... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| medicinal uses of Rudbeckia triloba September 16, 2009 Browneyed Susan, Brown-eyed-Susan, Thin-leaved coneflower, Three-lobed Rudbeckia Rudbeckia triloba L My question relates to the above species. I am doing research on historically medicinal plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Treating stings from stinging nettles in Indiana August 08, 2009 How can I remove hairlike thorns (as from nettle-type weed)? My hands react within 24 hours with swelling and pain, esp in morning. In past when I have then been able to locate the offending thorn, th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal plants in North Texas August 02, 2009 Hi, I would appreciate some sort of list for medicinal plants in North Tx. I'm a photographer wanting to photograph this type of plant life. Thanks!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal Yerba de la Negrita (Sphaeralcea coccinea) June 24, 2009 When I make my own batch of Yerba de la Negrita how long will it keep in the refrigerator? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree that successfully treats psoriasis January 31, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty plants,I have a rather unusual question. Do you know of a tree/plant that you can grow in a container, looks like a conifer/evergreen, is green, has wispy looking branches, but when t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Occurrence and uses of Bottle Gentian in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Park December 30, 2008 In mid October of 2008 I was at the Gilliland Cemetery in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cosby, TN. I found several flowers blooming which completely surprised me due to the time of year. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tilo (Justicia pectoralis), a tropical American plant December 03, 2008 Re: keelo plant (Seminole, Fl. herb used to treat stomachache-St. Pete), try Tilo: Justicia pectoralis View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal plants used on Hispanic ranches November 25, 2008 Have you ever heard of a plant, possibly native to Texas or Mexico, called Drago? Or another called Greta? In a book on South Texas ranches after 1850, these are listed as the Spanish names for two ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yucca plant for horse joint problems October 21, 2008 is the yucca plant the same as what the joint medication is made of to give to older horses for the joints, and if so, can a plant be nibbled on when it grows in the pasture? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Availability of ruda plants (Ruta graveolens) in Alabama September 10, 2008 I want to know is ruda plants available in alabama? If so where can I find it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Question about Allamanda cathartica July 29, 2008 how would i prove that allamanda cathartica is an antidote for anti-tetanus in a cheaper way? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Comptonia peregrina tea as topical treatment for poison ivy July 19, 2007 I have been told that Sweet Fern stewed into a tea is a great topical treatment for poision ivy. Is this true? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Herbalism and Native American EthnoBotany June 25, 2007 What plants cure diarrhea? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants good for repelling bugs in Austin, TX April 18, 2007 I need help on what type of plants or herbs are good for keeping bugs away from the house and also something that would be good for in the house for bugs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of native plants as natural mosquito repellants February 08, 2007 I live in Austin Texas and have what I would consider a mosquito infestation in my garden for most of the year. Are there native plants to this region that are proven to be naturally mosquito repella... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal purposes of the common pepper December 07, 2006 Hello. I am a student at North Harford High School in Harford County, Maryland. I am currently doing a project in environmental science which requires me to do an interview, or at least ask some que... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on medicinal plant uses by Dakota Indians November 29, 2006 I would like to know what the plants were that were used for medicinal purposes by the plains Indians in the Dakotas. Is there a place/site that I can go to to research the data? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Skin care uses of sunflower seed oil September 14, 2006 Just wondering what, if any, were the traditional uses of sunflower in skincare? I thought I read somewhere that the seeds were crushed up into an oil and used on the skin for sun protection? Is the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pictures and information on Scutellaris laterifolia, Blue Skullcap June 19, 2006 I am trying to find information on Scutellaria laterifolia (skullcap), of the plant family "labiatea". Do you have any info or pictures? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on herbs for Northeast Ohio May 03, 2006 Hello there, I am writing you seeking some information on Northeast Ohio's native plants. This has been rather difficult to find—specific native plants that can be used as herbs. If you could h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible medicinal uses of Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) April 13, 2006 I recently read an article about the healing properties of Spanish Moss. It mentioned reducing bad cholesterol in the human body. What exactly are the properties in this plant that are good for you, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) for tea February 20, 2006 Back in the 50's when I spent the summers with my grandmother south of Hondo, Texas, she use to pick leaves from the cenizo (purple sage) bushes, dry them and then brew them for tea. I asked one of m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dumb question about prickly pear December 23, 2005 This is probably a really dumb question but I am interested in picking the prickly pear next year when it is in season, and was wondering the best way to get all of the little stickers off of the pear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Odor and flavor of oils in Mints as insect repellants December 19, 2005 I am trying to find information on "How does mint plants repel insects" It's for my grand daughter's science project. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal uses of Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) August 28, 2005 What is the best way to extract the juice from the jewelweed plant? And, what can you do with it after that? I know it is considered a remedy for poison ivy and various other skin irritations. So then... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on women trying to conceive July 10, 2005 RE: Eucalyptus. Is this bad for women trying to conceive? The smell is very powerful. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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