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.
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.

rate this answer

Sunday - August 09, 2009
From: Duluth, MN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Can berries of non-native Fuchsia plant be eaten from Duluth MN
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Are the berries of the Fuschia plant edible?ANSWER:
There are a number of plants with "fuchsia" (and yes, this is the correct spelling, it's named after a man named Fuchs) in their name, but two species seem to be most common: Fuchsia magellanica, hardy fuchsia, and Fuchsia paniculata. The first is native to South America and the second to Central Mexico and South America. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, our expertise is exclusively plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. Most probably you are referring to Fuchsia paniculata, which is usually used as a house plant. We found a website from the San Francisco Botanical Gardens on Fuchsia paniculata which may help answer your question.More Non-Natives Questions
Verbena bonariensis won't bloom in Galveston, TX.
July 03, 2014 - My Verbena bonariensis is thriving, but never blooms. The plants look healthy, are about 6 feet tall and in full sun. The buds turn light purple but never open to flower. My neighbor's vb are ...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of passion flower in Tunbridge Wells England
April 08, 2013 - I planted my passion plant 3 years ago and I have really looked after it. I think this winter has killed it, it looks so dead. I hope it can be saved; there isn't one part of it that is looking healt...
view the full question and answer
Nativity of Myrospermum sousanum
June 13, 2007 - I bought a Myrospermum sousanum (Arroyo Sweetwood) at the Antique Rose Emporium in San Antonio. I see where it is listed as a Texas native on several web sites, but I could not find a reference on the...
view the full question and answer
Problems with non-native nectarine in Gilbertsville PA
November 20, 2009 - I live in southeastern Pennsylvania. I have a mature nectarine tree maybe 14 years old. It has a greenish grey spotting on the trunk and branches, the fruit always turns into the brown mummies and f...
view the full question and answer
Non-Blooming Bridal Wreath Spirea in PA
April 23, 2015 - We have 12 - 15 Bridal Wreath Spirea across our backyard. We have lived here for about 10 years (the plants longer). They have always bloomed except last year (2014) several didn't bloom and this y...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |