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.

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

Not Yet Rated

Friday - December 05, 2008

From: Mishawaka, IN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for Matelea for Indiana
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have been searching unsuccessfully I might add for a vine species called Matelea. These vines benefit the Monarch butterflies but no butterfly places online carry them. Where would a good place be to get seeds or a vine of this truly remarkable vine. Thanks Carol

ANSWER:

According to the USDA Plants Database there are three species of Matelea native to Indiana: Matelea gonocarpos (angularfruit milkvine), Matelea decipiens (oldfield milkvine), and Matelea obliqua (climbing milkvine). All three have "Threatened and Endangered" status and that could be one reason you have had difficulty in finding them.

On the Mother Earth News website I found Sources for Monarch Butterfly Waystation Plants and on this list I found a source for M. gonocarpos plants at Sunlight Gardens in Tennessee. There are perhaps other nurseries on that list that might carry one or more of the Matelea species native to Indiana.