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.

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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!

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Monday - June 07, 2010

From: Naples, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

There are large trees with brilliant orange flowers around Naples FL. Can you tell me what this is?

ANSWER:

There are no large native trees with brilliant orange flowers that grow in Florida; but, here are three candidates, all non-native, for your large trees with brilliant orange flowers around Naples, Florida:

Delonix regia (royal poinciana), a native of Madagascar. Here are more photos and information.

Spathodea campanulata (African tulip tree, a native Equatorial Africa. Here are more photos and information.

Cordia sebestena (orange geiger tree), a native of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Here are more photos and information.