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 - March 29, 2010
From: Pflugerville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Wildflowers
Title: Collecting seeds of Anemone berlandieri, windflower
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Minnette Marr
QUESTION:
The recent rainy weather has produced a small colony of what I have identified from your web site as Anemone berlandieri Pritzel (Texas Anemone) in my backyard. Is there a way to harvest these seeds for future use? I have placed small plastic bags over the fruiting bodies but I wonder if the plant will be hindered in making seeds by this process. Is there a better way?ANSWER:
The Anemone berlandieri (windflower) is blooming everywhere around the Central Texas area right now so it shouldn't be difficult to collect the seeds. One thing you can do is to look for flowers that have already lost some of their achenes (the tiny dry fruit containing the seed). The apex (the tip) of the receptacle will be exposed if some of the achenes have already dispersed. The achenes remaining on the receptacle will be ripe and should easily strip off the receptacle. The plastic bags on the fruiting body shouldn't be a problem, but it would be better to keep the bag off the receptacle. We suggest using a surveyor's stake wire flag to support the bag so that it isn't resting on the fruiting body.
From the Image Gallery
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
Smarty Plants on seed balls
September 27, 2005 - Do you have the recipe for Wildflower Seed Balls? It's where you mix dry wildflower seeds, compost, red clay, and water to form a seed ball and then you throw it. I think the ratio is 1 part seed, ...
view the full question and answer
Timing for mowing wildflower meadow
August 29, 2013 - Last spring (2012) we planted a wildflower/shortgrass meadow on a caliche slope surrounding the back of our house. We terraced with rocks and spread some topsoil thinly before sowing the seed. It di...
view the full question and answer
How does Asclepias asperula (antelope horns) respond to fire
December 18, 2010 - From your experience with prairie burns, how does Asclepias asperula (antelope horns) respond to fire?
Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Seeds to scatter from Austin
March 20, 2014 - Which seeds are good to throw and scatter on lawns or garden beds? Seeds that germinate easily, I suppose?
view the full question and answer
Why Did Gaillardia and Aquilegia Changed Color?
June 26, 2013 - Both a Gaillardia pulchella and two red columbines bloomed normally last summer, but this summer the Gaillardia's petals are all yellow and one columbine is white and the other is yellow. What caused...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |