Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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?

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

Monday - August 28, 2006

From: Pampa, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Seed sources for Mexican Gama Grass
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I'm trying to find a seed source for Mexican Gama Grass (scientific name is Tripsacum lanceolatum). Can you help me? Thanks.

ANSWER:

In our National Suppliers Directory you can search for nurseries and seed companies that specialize in native plants. Some, but not all, of the companies listed show web addresses. In a preliminary search of the web pages listed for the nurseries and seed companies in the southwest and California, I did not find any with Tripsacum lanceolatum offered for sale. There were other companies without web addresses that you might try contacting by telephone to see if they carry seeds for Mexican gama grass. Several companies did carry Tripsacum dactyloides, Eastern gama grass, and it might be worthwhile talking with them to see if they know about the availability of Mexican gama grass. Here are three Texas companies that have Eastern gama grass for sale: Native American Seed in Junction; Wichita Valley Nursery in Wichita Falls: and Mc Neal Growers in Manchaca.

Another possibility is to contact someone doing research using T. lanceolatum. You can search the National Agricultural Library Catalog (AGRICOLA) online for possible leads and doing a Google or Dogpile search might lead you to someone doing research on the species. You could also try contacting Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum since they have carried out research in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Eastern Sonora, Mexico on the grasses of the region, including Tripsacum lanceolatum.

 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Source of native Desert Lily for The Netherlands
July 23, 2010 - I am searching a bulb of Hesperocallis undulata. Do you know where I can get/buy this bulb I hope you can help me. Thank you very much warmest regards The Netherlands
view the full question and answer

Willows native to Wisconsin
July 01, 2005 - I have a small garden center in the far northern reaches of Wisconsin....and I specialize in native varieties for up here. I also help folks with lake shore restoration and preservation. There was...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of Aesculus parvifolia from Rochester MI
February 11, 2011 - Aesculus parvifolia. I purchased one plant in spring 2010---it's about 3 ft tall. How might I propagate from this one plant, or should I buy another?
view the full question and answer

Source for trees from Burnet TX
August 19, 2012 - I am desperately searching the central Texas area for Pistacia Mexicana male and female trees to buy. I would like about four, maybe more. I live in the Killeen-Lampasas area and have been to seve...
view the full question and answer

Source for Orbexilum from Hempstead TX
July 22, 2010 - I am looking for a source of plants or seed for a Texas native plant: Mountain Pea, orbexilum sp. (nova). Thank you,
view the full question and answer

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