Native Plants
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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.
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Tuesday - August 04, 2009
From: Luling, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Propagation of Mexican olive in Luling, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Mr. Smarty Plants: we live in Luling, just south of Austin and have a 4 year old Mexican Olive tree; question: how do we propagate this 'hard to find' tree? Thank you so much.ANSWER:
Cordia boissieri (anacahuita), according to our Native Plant Database is propagated by seeds. From this USDA Plant Profile on this plant, it is native to far South Texas, but apparently there are reports of some being grown in Central Texas, around Travis County. According to this USDA Forest Service website, Cordia boisseri, it is rarely found and may be close to extinction.
It apparently can not only be propagated by seeds sown just after a frost and air layering, but also by herbaceous or softwood cuttings. Since you already have a tree to be a source for these materials, we suggest you try one or all of those methods.
From Top Tropicals, we found this picture of the seed.
From Washington State University, Propagating Herbaceous Plants from Cuttings
From Fine Gardening magazine, Propagate Your Shrubs from Softwood Cuttings
From North Carolina State University Horticulture Information Leaflet Plant Propagation by Layering by Erv Evans
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