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 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
Vegetables to plant now from Marble Falls TX
January 28, 2013 - What are the best vegetables to plant now?
view the full question and answer
Removing Creeping Fig Suckers
October 17, 2012 - Help Mr Smarty Plants,
I am helping a neighbor remove a creeping fig from her property and want to know if there is any product that will soften, emulsify or remove the remaining sucker roots on the ...
view the full question and answer
When to plant non-native red-tip photinia
November 17, 2011 - When do you plant the Red-Tip Photinia Flowering Shrubs
in Roanoke VA?
view the full question and answer
Ways to eliminate non-native bermuda grass from West Columbia SC
July 01, 2010 - Could you kill bermuda grass by heavy over-fertilizing it? Or black, solid plastic cloth?
Thanks
view the full question and answer
How to tell the difference between native and non-native thistles
March 13, 2013 - It's thistle time already. There are many plants in the aster family with thistle in their common name. Are "real" thistles only those in the genus Cirsium, or are there others as well? We are tryi...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |