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_00.gif)
Wednesday - June 24, 2009
From: Albuquerque, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Medicinal Plants
Title: Medicinal Yerba de la Negrita (Sphaeralcea coccinea)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
When I make my own batch of Yerba de la Negrita how long will it keep in the refrigerator?ANSWER:
Sphaeralcea coccinea (scarlet globemallow) is called Yerba de la Negrita and grows in the southwestern U. S. and in northern Mexico. Some of its uses listed by the Native American Ethnobotany database from the University of Michigan-Dearborn are: a salve for sores and wounds, a tonic to improve diet, and to protect hands from fire and scalding water. It also appears to be used in shampoos and other haircare products. Having told you this, we have about exhausted our knowledge about Yerba de la Negrita. Since I don't know what you intend to use it for, I wouldn't begin to guess how long you could refrigerate it safely. My suggestion for you is to visit a chat group or forum of people interested in medicinal plants and ask your question. Perhaps you will find someone who knows the answer there. Here is a link to Groups Discussing medicinal plants and their uses|Yahoo!Groups.
From the Image Gallery
More Medicinal Plants Questions
Information on herbs for Northeast Ohio
May 03, 2006 - Hello there,
I am writing you seeking some information on Northeast Ohio's native plants. This has been rather difficult to find—specific native plants that can be used as herbs.
If you could h...
view the full question and answer
Edible Plants of Florida
April 06, 2015 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants
My name is Gabriel Bedoya; Im anthropologist, with large experience in research of traditional culinary, symbolic systems and native kitchens. Due to my experience in those s...
view the full question and answer
How to grow Blue Cohosh in Lewisville TX
May 05, 2010 - I bought Blue Cohosh seeds from an online website, but I do not know how or where to plant them and what will guarantee germination, and the instructions that came with the package are very vague. The...
view the full question and answer
Dumb question about prickly pear
December 23, 2005 - This is probably a really dumb question but I am interested in picking the prickly pear next year when it is in season, and was wondering the best way to get all of the little stickers off of the pear...
view the full question and answer
Use of North American native in India
October 09, 2009 - I got mail from someone who is living in U.K asking me to co-ordinate for getting the "Silphium terebinthinaceum seed" from various places for one Pharmaceutical company as a business. Is it the com...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |