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.
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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 - March 07, 2008
From: Kamiah, ID
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Information about Rosa acicularis
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi: At your site under "Benefit" it is mentioned that the seeds, leaves bark and twigs of Rosa acicularis Lindl. can be fatally poisonous to humans and animals. None of my past or present studies have indicated such information of the plant being poisonous. Could you offer particular information about this toxicity and/or reference sites I might research? Many thanks for the wealth of information at your site.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants thinks that the reported toxicity for Rosa acicularis (prickly rose) was mistakenly applied to the wrong plant. As far as we can determine, R. acicularis is non-toxic. In fact, we don't know of any species in the genus Rosa that has toxic properties. The fruits of this genus, rose hips, have been used for centuries by indigenous people for food and medicinal purposes. We have removed this statement from our Native Plants Database and we thank you for pointing out this inaccuracy so that we could correct it.More Poisonous Plants Questions
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We just bought 4.5 acres in Travis County off HWY 290. We have 3 horses we keep on it but there is very little grass in the pastures. What is the best type of grass to seed ...
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Reaction to something in the garden from Dowling MI
May 25, 2012 - In late March I was working in my yard raking etc. The next morning I had three black spots between my knee and shin that were swelling and feverish. Two days later the areas became bigger and began...
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Plant identification from Peoria IL
July 10, 2009 - I removed a plant from our workplace that employees were afraid was hallucinogenic seeds. Central Illinois. Very purple stem. Purple flowers. Black seeds. Any ideas?
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