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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Friday - July 29, 2011

From: Fort Davis, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives
Title: Non-native Silver lace vine invasive from Ft. Davis TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is silver lace vine invasive?

ANSWER:

Fallopia baldschuanica, Silver Lace Vine, originated in Western China and Tibet, so it is not in our Native Plant Database. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center only recommends plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they grow natively. Here is an article on the vine, which does, indeed, include a warning about its invasiveness. Another common name for it is Russian Vine. We found an article referring to that name; although this article came from the U.K., we couldn't resist the title A Swine of a Vine.