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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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Wednesday - October 06, 2004

From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: Smarty Plants on edible and medicinal native plants
Answered by: Stephen Brueggerhoff

QUESTION:

I would like a list of edible & medicinal native plants for the San Antonio area.

ANSWER:

There are several local resources to which I can refer you. I recommend the good folks with the San Antonio Herb Society; they may be able to provide a list, or recommend an expert in the area. Also, try Ellen Zimmerman, an Austin-based herbalist, contact info at her website. There is a great book devoted to regional info, entitled "A Practical Guide to Edible & Useful Plants" by Delena Tull that you should be able to check out from your local library. Another useful resource is the "Useful Wild Plants of Texas, the SE & SW U.S., the southern Plains, & Northern Mexico" by Scooter Cheatham & Marshall Johnston; 2 of 12 volumes have been published. You can read about it from the Useful Wild Plants group website.
 

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