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 - September 28, 2011
From: Beaumont, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: Are the seeds of Amberique bean edible in Beaumont, TX
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I found one of these growing in my yard. Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliott Amberique-bean, Trailing fuzzybean. Are the bean pods edible? I read somewhere that they are. Thanks.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants was able to find three sources that indicate the seeds are edible, and that the roots were also used by Native Americans for food.
Ilinois Plant Information Network scroll down to Human Relationship Data, and Human Factor Comments
Department of Anthropology Washington University St. Louis MO.
Wild Edibles of Missouri scroll to page 8. There is even a recipe.
More Edible Plants Questions
Help with control of small, invasive groundcover
April 16, 2012 - I have a very invasive ground cover creeping into my yard. I've tried to identify it and it's similar to creeping charlie or garlic mustard. Leaves are triangular with jagged edges, small purple f...
view the full question and answer
Need source for garlic to plant in garden in Fort Worth, TX.
September 30, 2011 - Where can I get or purchase a native Texas garlic to plant in my garden?
view the full question and answer
Books on edible wild plants for Michigan
September 10, 2009 - What book do you recommend to find edible wild plants in Michigan? I've found several books on edible plants, but they are all centered on the western states.
view the full question and answer
Edibility of Rumex hastatulus (heartwing sorrel)
March 25, 2007 - My mother and aunt, who are in their 80s, tell stories of eating a plant, when they were girls in North Central Texas. They call the plant "sheep shire". My mother says that it is a flat weed, that...
view the full question and answer
Getting rid of invasive Florida betony from Myrtle Beach SC
April 28, 2012 - How can I get rid of Florida Betony from my lawn and flower beds/ garden area. Garden area was thoroughly dug up and hand picked of all tubules last year at least a foot deep. They are much worse now....
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |