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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Sunday - February 23, 2014
From: Westlake Village, CA
Region: California
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding, Wildflowers
Title: What do wildflower seeds look like from Westlake Village CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I collect seeds from my wild flower garden but can't always tell what part of the dried flower is the actual seed that will reproduce. Is there a resource that shows the seed part of flowers? Thanks!ANSWER:
This is the sort of thing that many gardeners have to learn from experience. Since the experience of this Mr. Smarty Plants Team member has all been in Texas, and you are in California, we will find you some reference material that will help you more than we can.
Begin with this excellent article from Fine Gardening Magazine Starting Wildflowers from Seeds. This has three pages of information, several other links, and some videos you can watch, so it's a good place to start. Next, read this "Plant Propagation from Seed" from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
To get information on the specific wildflowers you are growing, go to our Native Plant Database, and type in the name of the flower you are growing in the "scientific or common name" bar. This will take you to our webpage on that plant, each of which will also have Propagation Instructions and Growing Conditions which will be important to your success in growing the plantings, in terms of amount of sunshine needed, moisture and soils.We found three wildflowers native to your area that also had pictures of the seeds. Clicking on the seed pictures will give you an enlarged view.
After reading the reference material we have provided, and seeing pictures of some seeds, you should be able to figure out what the seeds look like and how to treat them.
Sample Native Southern California Wildflowers:
Achillea millefolium (Common yarrow)
From the Image Gallery
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA
October 29, 2011 - No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ...
view the full question and answer
Winter care of Asclepias tuberosa from Austin
October 31, 2013 - We have several asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed). Monarch caterpillars have found and denuded them. We are excited about all of the Monarch caterpillars, but unsure of what to do next.
What do we...
view the full question and answer
Germination of Purple Clematis from Junction TX
October 31, 2013 - I have some Purple Leather Vine seeds I want to share and want help learning to germinate. Can anyone there help me find interested recipients?
view the full question and answer
How does Habiturf spread from Walburg TX
May 19, 2014 - How does HabitTurf spread? - by seed only? - when/how often must you let it go to seed to insure a permanent stand?
view the full question and answer
Which seeds need to be scarified from Marble Falls TX
November 08, 2013 - Can I find out which seeds need to be scarified?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |