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
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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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.
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