Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

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
1 rating

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.
 

More Edible Plants Questions

Information about mustang grapes
March 14, 2016 - We live in the Driftwood area. There is a native vine that looks like Mustang grape but never produces. A friend who is native to this area called it rat vine. I miss my Mustang grape jelly. Is t...
view the full question and answer

Toxicity of barren strawberries
April 30, 2012 - Are barren strawberries toxic? .
view the full question and answer

Dead or Dormant Chile Pequins in Corpus Christi
November 12, 2010 - We have 4 chile pequin and 5 chiltepin plants growing our yard. All were thriving beautifully until we took a 12-day vacation in late July. There was little rain during that time but overall this y...
view the full question and answer

Petals of flowers on cake from London
August 28, 2010 - Hi could you please confirm whether it is safe to position an amaryllis on top of a fresh cream cake (it will not be eaten, nor will the stem touch the cream, it will be positioned in a non toxic vial...
view the full question and answer

Problems with blueberries from Kernersville NC
April 29, 2012 - My blueberry plants have no leaves or scrawny ones. I have 13 plants, 5 of them are like this.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.