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.
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Friday - September 03, 2004
From: Plano, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Soils
Title: Smarty Plants on caliche
Answered by: Damon Waitt
QUESTION:
I have heard of sand, silt, clay, and loam, but what is caliche?ANSWER:
According to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Caliche is a layer of soil in which the soils has been cemented together by lime (calcium carbonate). Caliche typically occurs in desert or semi-arid areas.
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