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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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Friday - June 22, 2007

From: Paonia, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Percentage of plants native to U.S.
Answered by: Damon Waitt

QUESTION:

About 50% of the plant species in Hawaii are naturalized, invasive, aliens (from other places). What are equivalent statistics for the lower 48 states (continental US) as a whole?

ANSWER:

Of the approximately 29,244 non-Hawaiian taxa listed in the USDA Plants database, 26,613 or 91% are listed as Native to the U.S. At best, Mr. Smarty Plants would say this is a rough estimate.

 

 

 
 

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