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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Monday - January 11, 2010
From: Fayetteville, AR
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native Alocasia in Fayetteville, AR
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am trying to find out information on a plant that I received as a gift called an Alocaiso Plant, It a green, large, shiny green leaf plant with cream colored veins. Very beautiful and I would think only for indoors (I live in Arkansas) except maybe in summer. Any information you could give would be helpful. I haven't been able to find out anything about this plant. Thank you in advance for your response.ANSWER:
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plant is being grown. The closest we could come to your plant name is Alocasia. There are a great many species of this plant, generally referred to as "elephant ears." They are all native to tropical Asia, and therefore are out of our area of expertise.
One good source for information on non-native plants is the UBC Botanical Forum, on which we found this entry about Alocasia lauterbachiana. A website from Central Florida Farms Alocasia Plants lists and has pictures of a number of these plants. These are all members of the Araceae family, common name Aroids, from the International Aroid Society.
These plants are tropical, and hardy to Zone 8 only with some protection. Since your area of Northwest Arkansas is Zone 6, you will probably have to treat it as a houseplant year round.
More Non-Natives Questions
Smarty Plants on Pittosporum
August 05, 2005 - Need to know if "PITTOSPORUM" (TOBIRA VARIEGATA) will grow in my area of SE OK. I have purchased two of them and the nursery said that they would do great. Just needed an extra opinion.
Than...
view the full question and answer
Seed Habiturf on top of existing St. Augustine from Austin
January 26, 2012 - We don't want to rip up an existing St. Augustine lawn (potential HOA problems), but we'd like to go native grasses (like Habiturf?). Is there anything we can just seed on top of our present lawn a...
view the full question and answer
Mulching vegetables with straw
June 13, 2007 - I have a small garden with 4 different veggies, tomatoes, hot peppers, squash & cucumbers. which plants is it OK to put straw under? which plants will straw hurt the stalks or other possibilities? tha...
view the full question and answer
Problems with beheaded non-native Gerbera daisies in Cooperstown, NY
May 31, 2009 - I planted my gerberas in my perennial bed - as usual. Something is beheading them and leaving the blooms along side the plant. Some of the bloom is eaten but most of it is right there.
I have t...
view the full question and answer
Non-native, invasive Arctium minus in New York
June 13, 2006 - For as long as I can remember, my family has been picking and eating a wild plant which we and other Italian families call " cardoons". I've often heard to it referred to burdock but no one knows t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |