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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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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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Thursday - February 19, 2015

From: New Brunswick, NJ
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Lists, Herbs/Forbs, Wildflowers
Title: Plant Database for New Jersey
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

How can I find out where certain plants will grow, for example, will Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) grow in New Jersey?

ANSWER:

Indian mustard or brown mustard (Brassica juncea), an introduced plant, does grow in New Jersey and pretty much over most of the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database. They also offer a state search so you will be able to see the 13,917 results that they have for New Jersey.