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 - September 14, 2010
From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification
Title: What is the correct genus name for Fringe flower in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Is it Laura Pedlum or lorapetalum? I saw this shrub last week, and finally found a picture of it. The search engine listed about three different names for it! So what is the correct name, and does it come in any other flower color than pink? Thanks!ANSWER:
The correct name is Loropetalum; the name derives from the strap-like petals of the flower (gr. petalon = petals, loron = strap). A common name is Fringe Flower.
The plant is in the witch-hazel family and is native to China and Japan. This places it outside the area of focus of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center where our mission is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants, and landscapes. However, the burgundy foliage and fuchsia flowers of some varieties make them favorites with landscapers.
The species Lorapetalum chinensis has white or yellow flowers, and the species Lorapetalum chinensis var. rubrum has flowers that can be pink, fuchsia, or red. This link to Absolute Wonder give a thorough description of the varieties of Loropetalum chinensis.
More Non-Natives Questions
Information on non-native caladiums from Austin
June 21, 2012 - Have you a leaflet on growing caladiums in the Austin area?
view the full question and answer
Pruning of crepe myrtles
January 27, 2008 - I have three crepe myrtle trees in my yard. When do I trim back the branches? What if I waited too long to trim them back? Can I still do it? How far do I trim them back? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Are Native Cultivars As Beneficial to Wildlife?
September 02, 2015 - I am working on adding more native plants to my small acreage. I would like to know if using a selection or cultivar of a native species is as likely to have wildlife benefits as using a randomly prop...
view the full question and answer
Suggestions for alternatives to invasive, non-native English ivy
August 17, 2006 - Can English ivy be planted in a pot, kept oudoors, and expected to endure our Maryland winters?
view the full question and answer
Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut
September 25, 2011 - I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |