Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
2 ratings

Sunday - July 04, 2010

From: Mt. Pleasant, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Will cattle eat non-native Star Jasmine from Mt. Pleasant TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Will cattle eat Star Jasmine if planted on driveway entrance from pasture?

ANSWER:

Never having been much into cattle, we don't have firsthand information. However, our understanding from people who know is that cows will eat anything they can reach, including someone's vegetable garden and a plastic cleaner's bag. Trachelospermum jasminoides, Star Jasmine or Confederate Jasmine is native to China, and therefore falls out of our range of expertise. Here is an eflora website, South China Botanical Garden Checklist. which says the whole plant is poisonous. 

Another website, from Floridata, Trachelospermum jasminoides, warns against letting it get up into trees as it can get too heavy and pull limbs down.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Invasive, non-native Bryophyllum spp. in Austin
May 13, 2010 - I was given two varieties of what I now believe are 'Mother of Millions' and saw that they're considered a noxious weed in Australia. Are these plants considered dangerous to TX if I keep them in ...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native Chinaberry tree from Tucson AZ
September 05, 2013 - I have a 30+ year old Chinaberry tree and this year the branches are much sparser with leaves and there are a lot of small dead branches. Should I fertilize and what should I use? Thank you
view the full question and answer

Difference in native and non-native cherry laurel
October 02, 2014 - I have a backyard volunteer that I have identified as a cherry laurel, but how do I tell the Carolina from the non-native? This is still young (2 years or so), and not flowering, at least not now.
view the full question and answer

Non-native Crimson Clover coming up with bluebonnets in Driftwood TX
April 21, 2010 - Is Crimson Clover considered invasive? We have some coming up in our field with our Bluebonnets.
view the full question and answer

Care of non-native Primrose jasmine
March 14, 2007 - I have 4 large primrose jasmine shrubs that were transplanted about 4 years ago. They were cut back fairly harshly at that time. Since then, the centers remain very woody... no greenery... but the l...
view the full question and answer

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