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
Tuesday - July 27, 2010
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Kudzu for Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I just inherited a piece of land and am very much interested in starting some kind of homeopathic herbs. Can you tell me about Kudzu and where I can purchase some of these seeds?ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants likes to think he has a good sense of humor, but that is not funny! Florida, along with California, is already the world capital of invasive non-native plants, both of which the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is firmly against. Read this Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group LEAST WANTED on Pueria montana var. lobata (kudzu).
Two more articles you should read:
Gardening Tips from Down South - How to Grow Kudzu
And lest you misunderstand, these are both satire.
You are very fortunate to have inherited a great resource-land. Please be wise in your stewardship, planting and cultivating plants that are native to your area of Florida, eliminating invasive non-natives in non-polluting ways, improving the quality of life and contributing to environmental health.
More Invasive Plants Questions
Removal of Ashe juniper trees
April 19, 2015 - I have 15 acres with scattered huge oak and elm trees with tens of thousands of Ashe Juniper (cedar) trees 2” to 10” in diameter growing within the drip zone of the hardwoods. How do I take out the c...
view the full question and answer
Identification of fast-growing weeds with orange flowers
July 14, 2013 - I have fast growing plants (weeds?) in my heavily wooded backyard. They reach heights of over 6 ft and have orange flowers. I have spent hours searching the web today with no success -the closest thin...
view the full question and answer
Fast-spreading desert-type tree with thorns in yard
July 21, 2014 - There is a fast spreading tree in my backyard - many multiple almost symmetric flat green oval leaves on either side of the stem (sort of like a moringa tree but this is not that). Grows straight up, ...
view the full question and answer
Controlling Phragmites australis, common reed
July 04, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I volunteer at Cedar Ridge Preserve in Dallas. We are currently chopping down an invasive called Phragmites australis around the pond. The belief is that by continuously cho...
view the full question and answer
Is Yaupon Invasive in the Austin Area?
March 24, 2011 - Is Yaupon Holly invasive in the Austin area? Should we be removing it from our yards and/or greenbelt spaces?
Thanks for your input!
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |