Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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?

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
1 rating

Thursday - September 23, 2010

From: petersfield, MB
Region: Canada
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Growing Indian Wild Rice
Answered by: Anne Bossart

QUESTION:

Could you tell me who has the Canadian rights to wild indian rice grass. It is a drought tolerant grass used in flour production for gluten free products. thanks

ANSWER:

You have really taken us by surprise with this question as it raises the question of how an individual could ever have the "rights" to any native plant.

At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center our mission is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes. We define North American native plants,  as those that existed here without human introduction. We wonder if someone having the "rights" to a plant would be counter to that mission.

The question is way out of our area of expertise and so we have consulted with a few Canadians who are active in the native plant world.  Their responses were along the lines of "who has the rights to the sunshine and fresh air".  That being said, individuals and groups do have the "right" to water that flows over property owned by other people.

We recommend you consult a patent lawyer. 

 

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Native grasses for horse grazing in Wichita Falls, TX
September 08, 2009 - What are the best horse grazing grasses to plant in the Wichita Falls, Texas area?
view the full question and answer

Prairie and wetland restoration in Nebraska
July 20, 2007 - We recently bought property south of Crawford,NE near the Pine Ridge area. It has been grazed by horses for years. We'd like to restore the native grasses and flowers. I have no idea where to begi...
view the full question and answer

East Texas grasses for holding soils
September 17, 2008 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about the East Texas area: Specifically, which natvie grasses can be planted to hold the soil/new roads through the winter? Here is the situation: (Against...
view the full question and answer

Need plants for a ecoregion prairie project in Cleburne, TX
October 30, 2014 - I have a ecoregion prairie project in which students are to plant from pots a small area so visitors might see what the seeded area will become. We are struggling to find potted plants. HELP
view the full question and answer

Unrecognized grass in Habiturf from Spicewood TX
February 07, 2013 - I purchased 2 bags of Habiturf from the Wildflower Center and planted it in late September. Now, early February, the predominant grass is not any of the 3 supposed components of the Habiturf, but look...
view the full question and answer

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