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
Friday - October 02, 2015
From: Sandia, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Problem Plants, Trees, Vines
Title: Possible allelopathic properties of Prosopis glandulosa (Honey mesquite)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I want to plant a coral honeysuckle at the base of a mesquite tree. Anything in the mesquite that would inhibit the honeysuckle from growing?ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants understands that you want to grow Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) under a Prosopis glandulosa (Honey mesquite) and are concerned that the mesquite could possibly inhibit the growth of the honeysuckle. Here's what I've learned:
1. The leaf litter from the mesquite native to Central and South America, Prosopis juliflora (considered invasive in India and Africa) has been shown to be allelopathic to other plant species, inhibiting their growth.
In the paper, Community Impacts of Prosopis juliflora Invasion: Biogeogrphic and Congeneric Comparisons [PLoS One 2012 7(9): e44966] R. Kaur et al. report that the leaf litter of the invasive Venezuelan mesquite, Prosopis juliflora, has allelopathic properties that inhibit the growth of other plant species.
2. The compounds reported to be the agents that inhibit growth in P. juliflora have also been found in extracts of the leaves of Prosopis glandulosa.
Hiroshi Nakano in the chapter "Plant Growth Inhibitors from Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)" in the 2009 book, Desert Plants: Biology and Biotechnology, edited by K. G. Ramawat reports that his group has isolated the compounds (julifloridine, juliprosporine, julifloricine and juliflorinine) that are the bioactive inhibitors in P. juliflora and says that julifloricine and juliflorinine have also been found in extracts from the leaves of P. glandulosa.
3. Another book by R. Kourik, Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape Naturally, says that the presence of P. glandulosa stunts tomato plants.
The evidence seems to indicate that there is the potential for P. glandulosa to inhibit the growth of the coral honeysuckle, but I don't think it is very strong. I could find no studies that said outright that P. glandulosa was allelopathic—except for Kourik who says that it stunts tomato plants.
More Vines Questions
Evergreen vine for Austin
June 21, 2009 - In addition to coral honeysuckle, carolina jasmine, and crossvine can you recommend any other fairly hardy, evergreen vines that will do well draping from the top of a wall in Austin, Texas. Exposure ...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of trumpet vines from Dallas
August 19, 2010 - Can you tell me about trumpet vines, can they be rooted in water? I heard they reseed at the end of their growing season.
view the full question and answer
Shrub or Vine for NH Slope
May 11, 2013 - I'm looking for a native plant/shrub/vine that can be used to control erosion on a relatively steep slope in New Hampshire. Do you know of any?
view the full question and answer
Non-poisonous, fragrant flowering plant and vine for Arkansas
June 17, 2009 - I would like to find a non poisonous flowering plant that smells good, that has small to moderate plant growth, that will do well in sandy soil area, shade to full sun either way. Also would like to f...
view the full question and answer
Virginia creeper in trees
April 26, 2008 - Can Virginia creeper be allowed to climb on trees--specifically Texas ash and live oak--or will it damage them if allowed to attach itself? We are thinking of using it as erosion control in a greenbe...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
