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
Tuesday - November 08, 2011
From: Temple, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives
Title: Nativity of Lantana camara and Strelitzia reginae
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I was wondering why Lantana Camara is not in the Wildflower's database. Multiple sources say it is native to the U.S. and North America. I was also wondering if Strelitzia reginae (Bird-of-Paradise) is truly native? This plant IS in your database, but many sources say this plant is native to southern Africa. Thank you.ANSWER:
First of all, Mr. Smarty Plants' face was red to see that Strelitzia reginae (Bird-of-Paradise) appeared in our Native Plant Database. It is a beautiful plant but certainly doesn't belong in our Native Plant Database since it is a native of South Africa. It has been removed. Thank you for pointing out its presence to us. Our goal is to ensure that the information in our database is accurate.
Now, about Lantana camara, you can read the explanation of why it doesn't occur in our Native Plant Database in the answer to a previous question.
Here is more evidence to support its nativity:
- The USDA, Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) on its GRIN Taxonomy for Plants page gives its nativity in Northern America as Mexico and in Southern America as Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Central America and Columbia.
- The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Species, University of Florida, IFAS says that Lantana camara is native to the West Indies.
- The Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health says that it is native to Central and South America and was introduced into the US in the 1800s.
More Non-Natives Questions
Growing Florist Roses
January 23, 2016 - Often I find that florist roses sprout for me, but I fail to get them to grow into a bush. Do you have the answer?
view the full question and answer
Willow woes in Philadelphia, NY
August 22, 2010 - I have a 2 yr old willow; it is August and it looks like the tree has gone dormant, is this normal?
view the full question and answer
Eliminating kudzu from Richmond KY
March 26, 2014 - I live in Richmond KY, Kirksville area. I have noticed that Kudzu has started to grow in my patch of land next to the creek. How can I get rid of this before it becomes a big problem?
view the full question and answer
Differences between Desmodium and Lespedezda
June 19, 2014 - i am trying to determine the difference between lespedeza and desmodium in my full sun wildflower and tall grasses meadow. There appear to be a number of different types of these plants, and they are...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen grasslike plants for Austin TX
April 15, 2008 - Hi,
I'm in Austin, TX and looking for some evergreen grass-looking plants. Would you explain the similarities/differences between Butterfly Iris and Lily Grass in this regard? Thank you
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |