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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Tuesday - December 18, 2012
From: Conroe, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Edible Plants, Poisonous Plants, Trees
Title: Wild plums for jelly from Conroe TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Do wild plum trees grow in my area? I want to get some next summer to make plum jelly.ANSWER:
The Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum) definitely grows in Montgomery County, according to this USDA Plant Profle Map. We don't know how old a tree has to be to bear fruit, but they grow to 15' to 35' tall, and begin bearing fruit fairly young. These are probably not going to show up in your supermarket, but a local Farmer's Market might be a good possibility.
We do want to caution that every part of a member of the prunus species, except the flesh of the fruit, is poisonous. So, careful about disposing of twigs, leaves, etc. that you might gather in picking the fruit, and be sure to remove the seed before you begin to process the fruit.
Follow this plant link, Prunus mexicana (Mexican plum), to our webpage on the plant to learn more about it, including blooming and fruiting times.
From the Image Gallery
More Edible Plants Questions
Edibility of Rumex hastatulus (heartwing sorrel)
March 25, 2007 - My mother and aunt, who are in their 80s, tell stories of eating a plant, when they were girls in North Central Texas. They call the plant "sheep shire". My mother says that it is a flat weed, that...
view the full question and answer
Edible plants beginning with I, T, X and Z in Colorado
March 26, 2009 - My friend would like to know a fruit or vegetable that he would plant in his garden and come back yearly. The plants would have to start with the letters I,T,X, & Z. It has to be edible, of course.
view the full question and answer
Fruit trees from seeds
May 07, 2008 - Will fruit trees (primarily peach) produce fruit if grown from a seed?
view the full question and answer
Identity of a plant in Florida with red fruit like a small tomato
September 03, 2012 - It looks like a small tomato but it isn't. It has a bunch of flakey seeds on the inside, which are a light brown in color. The outside is red, and I think it starts out growing green and also white....
view the full question and answer
Need source for garlic to plant in garden in Fort Worth, TX.
September 30, 2011 - Where can I get or purchase a native Texas garlic to plant in my garden?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |