Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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

Monday - June 15, 2009

From: Tarzana, , CA
Region: California
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Is it OK to plant Huisache in southern California?
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

We have a wonderful huisache growing on a very dry rocky/dusty slope. It has now sprouted babies and we are delighted because we have room for several more on this slope. I have some room on our front yard (West-facing, extreme summer heat in PM) which has a tipuanatipu (sp?) tree, mature (7 yrs), a strawberry tree, and several agaves and tall grasses. Can the huisache succeed in this same area? We are cutting way back on watering to fulfill DWP requirements here in Los Angeles county. I did not know the huisache was considered a nuisance. Until the seedlings showed up we were trying to find another one!! The huisache has proven very hardy and seems to have a good symbiotic relationship w/ the cacti and agaves. We use sprinklers at this time in the front yard. If I don't get an answer I'll assume it's OK to plant. Thanks,

ANSWER:

While the location you've selected to plant Acacia farnesiana (Huisache) is horticulturally acceptable but ecologically suspect.  We cannot recommend its use there because of its potential for invasivenss in your area.  Huisache is not native to southern California and there is concern of it becoming a weed there just as it has in other parts of the world where it's been introduced.

 

More Invasive Plants Questions

How to eliminate roadside thistles
May 26, 2015 - When we drive along the highway we see lots of wildflowers and no thistles in the median. How does the Highway Department keep the thistles out? Here in Kerrville, we are overwhelmed by thistles thi...
view the full question and answer

Native plants to go between patio stones in Oceanside CA
February 24, 2010 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I live in Oceanside CA about 5 mi from the coast and have an about 20' sq private patio with "issues". Patio has with flagstones, one side all sun all day, middle area part...
view the full question and answer

Use of kudzu in landscaping
April 11, 2008 - HELLO MR.SMARTY PlANTS,my question is , I need a # of kudzu plants to grow quickly for a huge bare back wall since we are selling our house & have zero anything back there.we are getting comments that...
view the full question and answer

Are Royal Poinciana and Royal Empress trees the same?
October 09, 2015 - Hi, can you tell me if the Royal empress tree and the Royal Poinciana are the same tree?
view the full question and answer

Hydrilla problems in Tom Bean Lake in Mesquite, TX.
October 12, 2012 - What is the lifespan of Hydrilla in 30 acre lake at Tom Bean Tx? Does it grow spring thru summer and then hibernate thru winter ??
view the full question and answer

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