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 | |
| Books on edible wild plants for Michigan September 10, 2009 What book do you recommend to find edible wild plants in Michigan? I've found several books on edible plants, but they are all centered on the western states. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is the Texas mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa, toxic to cats? September 08, 2009 Hi Mr. Smarty Pants! Regarding Texas mesquite tree, I know that rabbits and deer etc eat the seed pods, but my cat every time he goes outside starts munching on the pods, and I can't find any info o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blueberries in Arlington TX August 25, 2009 Which wild or native blueberries can I grow in Arlington Texas? I think it is zone 8? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Edible plants native to Austin, TX August 05, 2009 Hello, I am a chef from Buenos Aires Argentina visiting Austin, Texas and would like to learn about native, edible plants in the region. Please let me know if there are any native, edible plants... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of Ilex sp. by Seminole Indians to make black drink. August 03, 2009 Ilex myrtifolia: can the leaves be used as tea? Seminole indians made a black drink reputed to be made of holly leaves. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is a groundnut? from River Vale NJ July 11, 2009 I just read the book "Mayflower" which talks about the Massachusetts natives and, subsequently, the Pilgrims eating groundnuts; mentions the groundnuts going to seed in early summer. What are ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Can tulip tree sap be used to make syrup in Bunker Hill IN? July 10, 2009 I was just wondering if tulip tree sap could be used to make syrup. I saw the sticky stuff on the leaves and decided to taste test it and it was very sweet, unfortunately I later found out that I was ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vegetables for sustainable garden in Rochester NY July 08, 2009 I have decided to start growing a small sustainable garden. Therefore I have decided to plant mostly North American native greens and vegetables. I live in upstate New York and so the plants designed ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Who ate the Jack-in-the-Pulpit in Ontario? July 07, 2009 Something has dug up my clump of Jack-in-the-pulpit at my parents' cottage in the Haliburtons (Ontario, Canada). Leaves, berries and roots are gone. We know we have a black bear who likes our compo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Worms in wild plums June 03, 2009 Wild Plums... They are just starting to get ripe here in East Texas. Picked a few today and they all had dark spots on them. When I cut them open there were tiny worms inside. Does this mean they a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recommendation for red raspberry species for Connecticut May 31, 2009 Hello, I was wondering if you could recommend any red raspberries that I can grow in Connecticut. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible native salad ingredients May 28, 2009 Hi, I'm hoping to make a salad for a school Horticulture project, but I'm having a hard time finding some edible plants. I live in Vermont, and am hoping to find some edible flowers and 'weeds' a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about growing food in Arizona May 25, 2009 Edible plants in Arizona: How can I get information on planting and growing food in Scottsdale Arizona? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating skunk cabbage in Troy, NY May 19, 2009 My yard is overgrown with skunk cabbage. My question is how do I get rid of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Fruits for Texas Hill Country March 31, 2009 Can you recommend a species of blackberry for San Antonio or any other fruit that will be compatible in my garden? (mostly Hill Country Native, thanks to Ladybird). The local store has raspberries, bu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants beginning with I, T, X and Z in Colorado March 26, 2009 My friend would like to know a fruit or vegetable that he would plant in his garden and come back yearly. The plants would have to start with the letters I,T,X, & Z. It has to be edible, of course. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Digging sassafras roots in Oklahoma March 11, 2009 When should I dig sassafras roots in eastern Oklahoma? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants in northeastern Ohio February 12, 2009 I am doing a project and i was wondering what are five native edible plants to the northeastern Ohio region. Also if you could tell the seasons they are available. Thank You, View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are yellow bells (Tecoma stans) edible? January 25, 2009 Can you tell me if any part of the yellow bell can be eaten and if so what part. Also is it useful in making natural paints? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native American barberry with edible fruit in New Mexico December 06, 2008 HI I am looking for a native american burberry plant with edible fruit. I love Persian cuisine, and they use the dried fruit of the burberry plant in a rice dish that I would like to recreate. I liv... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are flower petals poisonous? December 01, 2008 Is it toxic to eat the petals on a flower? Ashley View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants in Western Pennsylvania October 02, 2008 Can you please give me a list of five edible plants in Western Pennsylvania and the seasons in which they are available? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to remove tannins from acorns September 21, 2008 On your web page it says that the edible acorns (example: Chinkapin Oak) are edible if boiled, but the wikipedia article on "Acorn" says that "Boiling unleached acorns may actually cause the tannin... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are berries of American Beautyberry poisonous? September 21, 2008 I have an American Beautyberry Plant and I need to know if the purple berries are toxic - we have dogs and I wouldn't want them to eat them. Thanks for any information you may have on this plant. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Niagara and Concord grape crop failure September 01, 2008 Hi, I have been growing niagara grapes and concord grapes for 3 years now and this year I found myself without any fruits. The plant itself if full of leaves and is healthy. I was wondering why this w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are gourds poisonous, edible? August 27, 2008 Are all the Gourds edible? How can I know which one is which? If it is not edible, is it poisonous? If not, what is stopping us from eating them? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is balsam gourd (Ibervillea lindheimeri) poisonous or edible? August 18, 2008 Is the Balsam Gourd edible or poisonous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| White spots on Hibiscus leaves August 06, 2008 My hibiscus trees have white spots or splotches on the leaves. What is it and what can I do to get rid of it? Also, the birds are eating my tomatoes faster than i can grow them. I've used the owl &... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible plants native to Bexar County, Texas July 30, 2008 What types of edible plants are native to Bexar county? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Failure of highbush blueberry plant to produce in New Hampshire July 25, 2008 One of my highbush blueberry plants completely stopped producing. What can I do to revive it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dog eats horse herb (Calyptocarpus vialis) July 14, 2008 This is not a question but in response to one of your answers. My dog eats horse herb all the time. He seems to use it to calm his stomach or throat from acid indigestion. He had an ulcer and would... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to care for blueberries in Oregon July 11, 2008 New to oregon and to blueberry bushes - can you tell me the proper way to care for them - location-sandy, Oregon and unsure of which type of blueberry they are thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Planting native blueberry bushes in Tennessee July 07, 2008 I have long wished to have wild blueberry bushes at my home. They are native to mountainous regions of my state, but I don't know whether or not it is reasonable to expect to be able to grow them wh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Recipe for cherry jelly from wild black cherry tree in Tennessee July 02, 2008 I think that we have a wild black cherry tree on our farm. I understand that the fruit is edible. Do you have a recipe for jelly or any other food product using this fruit? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about Citrus mitis June 26, 2008 I was given a Citrus Mitis plant. It has beautiful white flowers and delicious looking tiny oranges.everyone in my office is asking if they're edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tea made from timothy grass June 20, 2008 My mom and I have been drinking tea made from Timothy grass seed for many years, 40 at least. It is delicious, and refreshing. My question is can you see any harm in drinking tea made from the seeds o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Gardening books for Austin and Central Texas June 09, 2008 Hi, I'm looking for a book for my wife. She is a beginning gardener here in Austin. Do you know of an ideal book or two that covers vegetable gardening and gardening in general in Austin/Central Tex... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Citrus trees for Austin May 21, 2008 I am looking for citrus that grows in the Austin,Tx area. Could you offer any suggestions please? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edible fruits and plants in Pennsylvania May 15, 2008 Can you give me a list of edible berries and plants that someone might find if they were hiking through the forest of Pennsylvania? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fruit trees from seeds May 07, 2008 Will fruit trees (primarily peach) produce fruit if grown from a seed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) edible? April 09, 2008 Hello, I find horse-herb everywhere. Is it edible, too? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edibility of bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) acorns October 24, 2007 Is the acorn of the Bur Oak edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Weed prevention in vegetable gardens September 26, 2007 Mr.Smarty Plants - I know this isn't your area, but we have a vegetable garden that has been plagued by summertime weeds. Do you have a recommendation for a control plan we could implement during t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of leaves and berries of lantana July 19, 2007 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants!!! I live in Columbia, SC and have fallen in love with the Lantana or Lanta plants. I have a lot of them because of their rapid growth. My question is -- in addition to all t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edibility of fruit of Passiflora incarnata July 19, 2007 We have Passion flower vines growing, blooming and producing fruit all over our property and the land nearby. They are growing wild. We are near Greensboro, Georgia which is barely in the Northeast pa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Medicinal qualities of Monarda clinopodioides June 19, 2007 Monarda clinopodioides Gray basil beebalm Could you tell me if the above-mentioned plant is edible or has any medicinal use? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mulching vegetables with straw June 13, 2007 I have a small garden with 4 different veggies, tomatoes, hot peppers, squash & cucumbers. which plants is it OK to put straw under? which plants will straw hurt the stalks or other possibilities? tha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wild onions in southwest Michigan June 06, 2007 During the spring every year there are "Volunteer Onions" that grow in my lawn and garden. I live in Michigan, sw. question---are these onions? what are they--they smell like onions--- can they be e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Coexistence of rubus trivialis and American beautyberry May 28, 2007 I'm growing some rubus trivialis in a 1-gal. pot and plan to plant it this fall. Will this dewberry coexist with American beautyberry, or must it have its own space entirely? If it needs its own sp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Edibility of Rumex hastatulus (heartwing sorrel) March 25, 2007 My mother and aunt, who are in their 80s, tell stories of eating a plant, when they were girls in North Central Texas. They call the plant "sheep shire". My mother says that it is a flat weed, that... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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