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
Friday - April 06, 2012
From: Reading, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Laws, Planting
Title: Transferring a palm tree from Florida to Pennsylvania from Reading PA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Is it legal to transport a small palm tree (12" high) from FL to PA?ANSWER:
The plant laws that we could find all had to do with bringing plants in from other countries, especially invasive ones. Also, some states have inspection of live plants for insect infestations that might spread. The Meditteranean fruit fly problem in California is an example.
There are many different species of palms, not all of them native to North America. We are assuming this is a house plant, which means it is probably not native. If it is intended to be planted outside, I think you will find the Pennsylvania climate not hospitable to a palm. We can think of no reason why it would be illegal to move a small houseplant from state to state.
More Plant Laws Questions
Definition of "Weed Laws"
January 14, 2007 - What are weed laws?
view the full question and answer
Native plant town ordinances in New Mexico/Chihuahuan Desert
November 17, 2005 - I'm interested in city/town landscape ordinances in the New Mexico/Chihuahuan Desert area. What towns do you think do a good job using native plants?
view the full question and answer
Drought Resistant Privacy Screen for North Side of Austin Texas House
July 10, 2016 - We live in the densely populated Mueller development, where there's barely 3 feet from our home to the 6 foot high privacy fence between us and the house next door. Since the houses are 2 stories, we ...
view the full question and answer
Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD
May 28, 2012 - Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this...
view the full question and answer
Patenting Flower Mixes
July 12, 2012 - Can a new, more beautiful combination/mix of certain wild flowers or the new use of some particular wild flowers for a particular style of gardening, e.g. for deer resistance or for alternative lawn o...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |