Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Wednesday - December 10, 2008
From: Los Fresnos, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Looking for Asclepians texana and other milkweed seeds
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi. I was wondering where I could find seeds of Asclepias Texana, and other rare or uncommon Milkweeds. I am looking for seeds of all the Asclepias species. I have swamp, Clasping, and butterflyweed seeds. I also have Showy and Common Milkweed seeds. Thank-you. Where could I get plants? What Milkweeds grow wildly in my area in Cameron County, south TexasANSWER:
Mother Earth News has published a list of Sources for Monarch Butterfly Waystation Plants on its website. The webpages for those nurseries that I checked did not list Asclepias texana (Texas milkweed). This isn't surprising since it is endemic to Texas, occurring in only 9 counties in south central Texas and 2 counties in the Big Bend area. You may have difficulty finding seeds for this species. One possibility is to contact someone in a chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas in those areas (e.g., Big Bend chapter, Austin chapter, Kerrville chapter) to see if they know a source. You can also search for nurseries and seed companies in our National Suppliers Directory that might carry seeds of this species and other species of Asclepias.There are three native species that grow in or near Cameron County:
Asclepias linearis (slim milkweed) and its Texas distribution
Asclepias oenotheroides (zizotes milkweed) and its Texas distribution
Asclepias emoryi (Emory's milkweed) grows nearby in Hidalgo and Kenedy Counties.
The non-native, introduced, Asclepias curassavica (bloodflower), also occurs in Cameron County.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Recommended Species List for Nova Scotia.
October 12, 2015 - Hi, I love your site. I am from Nova Scotia and run an "Invasive Plants Cape Breton" facebook page and also "Cape Breton Garden and Botany Lovers". Was dismayed to find no recommended plants for...
view the full question and answer
Where to purchase a non-native gardenia
August 02, 2008 - Where can I buy a gardenia plant in south austin?
view the full question and answer
Source for Saltmarsh cordgrass from Houston
April 16, 2013 - I work for a consulting firm and we are looking to do more of our wetland creation/restoration. Do you know where one can purchased Spartina alterniflora?
view the full question and answer
Plants for a steep lot in Tennessee
August 07, 2008 - I have built a home on a very steep lot (approx 1 1/2 acres)in Northern Central Tenn in Jackson County. The lot is too steep to mow and some of it is too steep to stand on comfortably. My question is...
view the full question and answer
Sources of information for design of prairie meados in Georgia
January 25, 2006 - Dear Ms. Smarty Plants,
I am designing a prairie meadow in Covington GA (Zone 7) at the edge of piedmont and coastal ecosystems, primarily lower piedmont. I am trying to restore a 1/2-acre site over ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |