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?

Share

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
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - July 22, 2010

From: Mohave Valley, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Eliminating Arrow Weed from property in Mohave Valley AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

How do I get rid of Arrowweeds on my property?

ANSWER:

Pluchea sericea (arrowweed) is native to North America and to the entire state of Arizona, according to this USDA Plant Profile, which will make it that much harder to exterminate. If you manage somehow to get it off your property, you will only get seeds from other areas around you, carried in by wind and animals. This Las Pilitas website actually has it for sale, so we guess not everyone is opposed to it. 

Since we could find no very instructive information on this plant, and have no personal experience with it, we suggest you contact the Arizona Cooperative Extension Office for Mohave County.  They can tap into the resources of trained horticulturists familiar with the area and the plant, and make much more informed suggestions than we can.

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:


Pluchea sericea

 

 

More Invasive Plants Questions

removing paper mulberry shoots from lawn
August 09, 2011 - Dear Mr./Ms. Smartypants, I recently moved into an Austin home with the backyard taken over by paper mulberries. There were originally 2-3 large bush/trees, but now that I've removed them I realiz...
view the full question and answer

Plant ID from Woodcreek TX
January 27, 2012 - I would like to attach a photo of a weed in my lawn and have you identify it. How do I send a photo? I have been told it may be ground ivy. Please tell me how to kill it without damaging the lawn.
view the full question and answer

Vine Choices Scarce in Beaverton Oregon
June 08, 2012 - Hi, I am looking for a hearty vine that we could use to cling to and cover a cement wall that is about 8 feet tall and 30 feet long. It is on the south side of our house but never gets direct sunli...
view the full question and answer

Replacement for grass under non-native weeping willow from Yorba Linda CA
April 24, 2012 - What would be a good replacement for the grass currently growing under a weeping willow? Something requiring low maintenance, the problem is with mowing over and around the roots.
view the full question and answer

Silver ponyfoot becoming invasive in College Station TX
May 08, 2013 - How can I control or get rid of an established Dichondra groundcover? I bought a few plants of D. argentea from your sale a few years ago, and in that time they've done really well in the area I plan...
view the full question and answer

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