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.

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 - June 16, 2011

From: San Marcos, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: What is eating Eve's Necklace in San Marcos TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

A small Styphnolobium affine in my yard is repeatedly being defoliated by something. It courageously leafs out again each time, even in the drought. There is a larger tree nearby that remains untouched. Any idea who could be enjoying it so much?

ANSWER:

From a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer:

If all the leaves are gone, we would suspect deer. We don't know what part of San Marcos you are in but this area of Central Texas has high populations of deer. Styphnolobium affine (Eve's necklace) is listed as moderately deer resistant but in this time of drought the deer are very likely to eat whatever is available. You can try some of the deer repellents (chemical or mechanical) that are available at nurseries or you can fence the area to keep the deer out of your garden. Some people put black plastic netting over or use it to make a barrier around the plants to keep the deer from eating them. It would depend on how tall your plant is or how big your flower bed is as to whether this method would be a feasible method for your situation. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has an excellent article, "Reducing Deer Damage to Your Yard and Garden", with descriptions of several methods of control, including homemade repellents.

Unfortunately, if a plant is being relentlessly attacked, sometiimes you must make the choice not to plant it, or to replant in a part of your garden that can be protected. By the way, the flowers and seeds of this plant are poisonous, but it looks like the deer know that.

From the Image Gallery

Eve's necklace
Styphnolobium affine