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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

3 ratings

Wednesday - October 03, 2007

From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Seeds and Seeding
Title: How to sow Eves Necklace seeds.
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have recently acquired some Eve's Necklace seed pods. In order to plant them, do I need to open the pod to get to the seed, or do I just plant the pod? Should I soak or scarify the pod/seed?

ANSWER:

Styphnolobium affine (Eve's necklacepod), which, until recently, was called Sophora affinis, is closely related to Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel). They have similar seeds that require the same sort of treatment. You do need to remove the seeds from the pod and they will germinate best if you scarify the seeds before planting them. Soaking the seed pods in water will make the hard brown seeds easier to remove from the pods. You can sow them directly in the ground when the soil has warmed in the spring or you could sow them in pots and transplant the seedlings. If you plant them in pots, be sure that the pot is deep enough so that the seedling can develop a reasonably long root for transplanting.