Native Plants
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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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| Propagating a white cultivar of Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora September 09, 2016 I am trying to propagate a white cultivar of the Texas Mountain Laurel. I plan to use bee sticks and pollinate the plant. Are the plants self fruiting or do I need to find another white mountain laure... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Southern Live Oak Authority for Jackson MS June 23, 2016 Who are the foremost authorities on Southern Live Oaks? May need expert testimony to oppose cutting of 50 year-old live oaks in boulevard of Riverside Drive in Jackson, MS View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are Tannins in Persimmons the same in Fruit and Leaf? January 23, 2016 I was wanting to know if tannins in persimmons have the same properties in both the fruit and leaves. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Bignoniaceae Family Members Fix Nitrogen? January 23, 2016 Do plants in the Bignoniaceae family, such as Tecoma stans and Chilopsis linearis, fix nitrogen into the soil? I ask because they have a bean-type pod. Just curious. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How many seeds in a Balsam Gourd fruit? January 12, 2016 How many seeds should I expect to find inside the fruit of Ibervillea Londoners? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Poison ivy always rooted in the ground? November 11, 2015 Does Poison ivy on a tree always start at the ground and climb up the tree or can it start producing its vine and leaves by itself at the top of the tree or middle? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is the difference between indigenous and native? November 03, 2015 What is the difference between indigenous and native? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Native Cultivars As Beneficial to Wildlife? September 02, 2015 I am working on adding more native plants to my small acreage. I would like to know if using a selection or cultivar of a native species is as likely to have wildlife benefits as using a randomly prop... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What does the name montana mean in a species name? August 21, 2015 What does the name montana mean in a species name? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of the word annual May 27, 2015 Why is the word 'annual' used to describe plants with one grow season, when in all other cases it's used to describe things that reoccur year after year? i.e. Events, celebration, salary? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Brownish-gold worm-looking things on loblolly pines May 08, 2015 We have a large loblolly pine that each spring drops thousands of brownish-gold "worm" looking things (about 1/2 to 1" long). Do they have a name and what is their purpose? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Common Milkweed a Succulent? March 31, 2015 Is the common milkweed (butterfly plant) classified as a succulent? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Correct family classification for Allium cernuum March 19, 2015 What is the correct family classification for Allium cernuum? I have seen the nodding onion as part of the Liliaceae family on the USDA website and my field guides, but it is in the Alliaceae family i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What shade trees have non-invasive root systems? March 03, 2015 What shade trees have a non-invasive root system? I am in zone 7a. Thank you, Mr. Smarty Plants! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| USDA Hardiness Zones January 22, 2015 Some natives are listed as ZONE 3 - 7. Would they be ok in zone 9. I thought the zones related to cold hardiness. What does the higher number mean, exactly? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about Erigeron annuus and Erigeron philadelphicus January 10, 2015 Hi! I am looking for information about the specific leaf area of Erigeron annuus and Erigeron philadelphicus. Do you know of anyone who is working with any these species, who might be able to provide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Environmental factors that affect lifecycle stages of maidenhair fern. November 07, 2014 What are the environmental factors that can affect the lifecycle stages of a maidenhair fern, particularly A. trichorleopis? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Water Use Versus Soil Moisture October 14, 2014 In the Native Plant Database, under Growing Conditions what is the difference between water use and soil moisture? Sometimes they seem contradictory. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Where do snake herb and skeleton-leaf goldeneye get their names? October 05, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where does snake herb, and skeleton leaf goldeneye get their names from? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is a height of 5 to 8 feet forOenothera biennis (Common evening primrose) normal? August 30, 2014 I have identified a version of Evening Primrose Oenothera biennia L. In my yard, Livonia Michigan. These plants range in height from 5-8+ feet. Is this typical? The references I find indicates 3-5 fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Chickasaw plums evergreen? August 13, 2014 Are Chickasaw Plums evergreens? I've been very interested in planting a few but some websites say they are evergreens while others say the opposite. Furthermore, would I have to plant a male and fema... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious? July 28, 2014 Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious? Your database does not address this for most plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| The Designation of Annual and Perennial Plants July 25, 2014 Sometimes when researching a plant I will find it listed as both annual and perennial. I understand that some plants will be perennial in a warm climate and die in a colder zone, but it is still a per... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mountain laurel with fasciation July 24, 2014 My Texas Mountain Laurel bush has developed several "crested branches." What causes this, is it harmful & how do I get rid of them??? Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Purple leatherflower with white bloom July 17, 2014 A couple of years ago at the wildflower center native plant sale I bought a purple leatherflower according to the tag. This is the first year it has bloomed and the blooms are pure white. The shape ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Forum for reporting rare plants July 05, 2014 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants, I was wondering if there is a forum for Texans to submit sightings of native plants they find? I live in Medina County and 2 years ago had a rare native plant growing in my yard ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Taxonomy question concerning the Family Commelinaceae June 17, 2014 Hi I have a question. Many people refer to plants differently, I have always used the Genus and species and rarely the family name..it is very confusing .. when a professional uses a name that is a co... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Key for Verbesina virginica June 16, 2014 Are the stems of Verbesina virginica hairy? My in-laws have what I believe is Verbesina virginica (blooms in September here in VA) and another wild flower that blooms before it and is yellow. I'd l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Define monoculture from St. Croix Falls, WI May 30, 2014 What do you call a dense stand or carpet of one species of wildflower? Our botany professor told us but that was 40 years ago! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should Rock Harlequin stay green all winter? May 28, 2014 I have a rock harlequin that came up in a area that had been disturbed. It came up last summer/fall and the foliage survived our tough winter. I can not find anything about this plant staying green al... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can Condalia hookeri (Brasil or Bluewood condalia) self-pollinate? May 07, 2014 Good morning Mr. SP, I see from your description of Condalia hookeri that this species has bisexual flowers. Do you know if it is self-incompatible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How are full sun, part sun, etc, defined? April 08, 2014 Hello, I have a question about sun requirements. Does saying something needs "full sun" mean a particular number of hours? Does it mean 6 or more hours / day? 8 or more? Is there an agreed upon n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Water-saving strategies of drought-tolerant plants April 04, 2014 Although "drought tolerant" plants are fairly well documented, it's clear that many different strategies are responsible, such as a huge root system (like Mesquite). I'm interested in learning the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are Prunus minutiflora male and female flowers on different plants? March 12, 2014 I have a Prunus minutiflora and have recently learned the male and female flowers are on separate plants. How can I determine if I have a male or female plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for DNA sequencing of Opuntia species March 04, 2014 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I am trying to do a Opuntia speciation study, and rather just identifying the species by morphological comparison, I would also like to go a little deeper by comparing the DNA... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are leaf margins of Chilopsis linearis toothed from Austin December 22, 2013 Are the leaf margins of Chilopsis linearis, Desert Willow, smooth or toothed? The NPIN descrip says willow-like. Most willows have toothed leaf margins. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Source for records of Pleistocene flora of Central Texas December 16, 2013 Part of your answer to a question from October 12, 2010 is "..moreover, the evidence goes even further back than the 1800s. Studies of Pleistocene deposits from Central Texas showed ancestral cedar p... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Do bees visit cedar trees and other conifers for pollen? November 30, 2013 I was wondering if honey bees or native bees visit cedar trees for pollen? and what about other conifers? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Which one is huajillo and which one is guajillo? November 19, 2013 Recently I attended a field trip to the Leonard Garden at the Kleberg Institute in Kingsville. I took a picture of a tree that was referred to as Tenaza or huajillo. Later I took another photo of a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Student research on fire-resistance plant labels from Garden Ridge TX November 13, 2013 Dear Mr. Smarty Pants, I'm a 4th grader at Garden Ridge Elementary in Comal County. I am researching fire resistant plants. Can you please tell me if most plants' tags say whether they are fire r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ruffly foliage on native lantana November 05, 2013 A native lantana in my front yard has developed ruffly foliage on one stem. It looks like miniature broccoli. What can this be? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| School project on acid rain effects on plants from Austin October 18, 2013 Hi I go to an Austin high school and I am doing a project on how acid rain affects plant growth. I am wondering if you know any plants that would be more or less susceptible to acid rain for this proj... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why plants grow in very hot or very cold areas from Edison NJ October 06, 2013 Why can some plants grow where very cold or very hot? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant-related skin rashes from Round Rock TX September 23, 2013 I have been plagued with persistent skin rashes this summer, and it is happening with plants that have never bothered me before, for example, red yucca. The dermatologist says it is a plant reaction,... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| White and red Turk's cap and possible crossing September 18, 2013 I have had some white Turk's cap for several years. This year, some red Turk's cap has appeared among it. I have the red in another location. Will the red become dominant if I leave it among the whi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What are the differences between Arbutus xalapensis, A. unedo and A. marina August 29, 2013 One nursery lists madrone trees as arbutus uneda compacta and arbutus marina. The other lists it as arbutus xalapensis, which is the only name I can find in the data base. There is a very large pric... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fragrance in fragrant plants. August 21, 2013 Why are some flowering plants known for fragrance not fragrant or as fragrant? Is it a nutrition deficiency or just the plant? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How does Styrax youngiae differ from other Texas Styrax species? August 18, 2013 How does the Styrax youngae differ from other Texas styrax? Where can I find a description of all the Texas styrax trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is a Demaree Rose? August 14, 2013 Have been told the Apache Plume is the Wild Rose after which the Wild Rose Pass north of Ft. Davis was named. However, other research indicates it was the Demaree Rose. What is true and are there ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fragrant Texas wildflowers from Waco TX July 28, 2013 Hi, I'm interested in looking at any Texas Wildflowers which have attractive aromas which I can distill essential oil from. Any ideas? Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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