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

Wednesday - June 22, 2011
From: Laceys Spring, AL
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Trees, Wildflowers
Title: Wildflowers that grow in woodlands
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Please tell me the names of wildflowers that grow under your oak trees in Texas. I am only familiar with those open meadow plants, not those that live under the deciduous trees. Thank you for your time!ANSWER:
Well, Texas is a really big state with lots of different ecoregions so I am going to focus on the ones that grow in Central Texas where I live and where the Wildflower Center is located. East Texas, West Texas and South Texas plants can be very different from those that grow here in Central Texas. Also, since oaks are allelopathic to some plants growing beneath them (i.e., they produce chemicals that inhibit the growth of some plants), I will give you the names of wildflowers that you can find growing in shady woodlands instead of just plants that grow under the oaks. Below are a few herbaceous wildflowers. You can see more examples as well as flowering shrubs that grow in dry shade in two of our Recommended Species files—Dry Shade Plants for Central Texas and Woodland Plants for Central Texas. If you would like to see some of the wildflowers that grow in other ecoregions of Texas, check them out on our Recommended Species page under JUST FOR TEXANS. You can limit the number of species on those lists by using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option and choosing "Part shade" and/or "Shade" under LIGHT REQUIREMENT.
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii (Turk's cap or turkscap)
Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage)
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Packera obovata (Golden groundsel)
Phacelia congesta (Blue curls)
Tradescantia occidentalis (Prairie spiderwort)
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
Salvia roemeriana (Cedar sage)
From the Image Gallery
More Trees Questions
Will Fragrant Ash grow in Bowie County TX?
April 24, 2011 - I live in south Bexar County in very fine deep sand. Will the Fraxinus cuspidata grow in my soil and temperature?
view the full question and answer
Native substitute for traditional Christmas tree
December 01, 2007 - Could you give some recommendations for a substitute of the traditional Christmas tree used during the holiday season? The low light/humidity conditions in the home is a challenge under any circumsta...
view the full question and answer
Will deer eat lemon cypress trees from Hayden ID
June 02, 2012 - Do deer eat lemon cypress trees? We do not think so since they are so spiny, but wanted a clarification.
view the full question and answer
Is the orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides) poisonous to dogs?
September 26, 2008 - is the orchid tree (bauhinia) poisonous to dogs?
view the full question and answer
Are the moths in my Austin, TX live oaks harmful?
November 03, 2009 - It is November and my live oak trees are full of moths. What are they and are they harmful to my trees?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |