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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 - April 30, 2008

From: Silsbee, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Information on non-native Erythrinia crista-galli
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am trying to find out some more information on a plant called firemen caps.. How to grow and sun or shade or both..

ANSWER:

The Erythrinia crista-galli, sometimes called the firemen's cap, is a native of Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay and therefore, not in our Native Plant Database. However, we will refer you to this Wikipedia website on the plant, which should give you some of the information you are looking for. Also, here is a website from Dave's Garden with comments by other people who have grown the plant. And, finally, a page of Images of the plant.
 

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