Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
Not Yet Rated

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:

 

 

More Invasive Plants Questions

Controlling Devil's Bit in Collin County, TX
June 05, 2015 - I live in Collin County and our pasture has a growing section of Devils Bit taking over everything. I've been using 2,4-D on it with some success. What is the best method of control for this ...
view the full question and answer

Removal of thistles from Columbus TX
May 20, 2014 - I am sorry if you have an answer in FAQs but I could not find it. We recently cleared property near Columbus Texas of many cedars (ash junipers). This spring we experienced a profusion of thistle -...
view the full question and answer

Nutgrass
September 12, 2008 - Hey Hi Barbara, I just read the information you gave about nut grass. I had wished for other options. Back to digging them out. Thanks for the information What about substituting cud zoo. S...
view the full question and answer

Are non-seeding Bermudgrass hybrids invasive?
July 15, 2010 - Since Cynodon dactylon (Bermudagrass) is listed as an invasive species (texasinvasives.org), do you feel the non-seed producing Bermudagrass hybrids would also be considered invasive? Assuming a hybri...
view the full question and answer

Non-native, invasive mimosa trees in Vincennes IN
April 29, 2014 - I have 3 Mimosa trees here in Vincennes, Indiana and so far none of them are leafing out this spring (4-28-14) Do you think that this past winter could have killed then?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.