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
Friday - May 30, 2014
From: St Croix Falls, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: General Botany, Wildflowers
Title: Define monoculture from St. Croix Falls, WI
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What do you call a dense stand or carpet of one species of wildflower? Our botany professor told us but that was 40 years ago!ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants believes the word you are looking for is "monoculture." There really is no such thing as a true monoculture; other species of whatever - wild flowers, weeds, agricultural crops - are going to creep in. In fact, a pure monoculture is not necessarily a good thing. Here are some articles that expand on the definition
Wikipedia 'Monoculture' is the agricultural practice of producing or growing a single crop or plant species over a wide area and for a large number of consecutive years. It is widely used in modern industrial agriculture and its implementation has allowed for large harvests from minimal labour.
Carbon Trade Watch - Monocultures
Science Daily - Monoculture
As you can see, it is mostly a term referring to industrial agriculture for the growth of food. Probably a more useful term for your purpose is "a whole bunch of the same wildflower."
More General Botany Questions
What is the difference between indigenous and native?
November 03, 2015 - What is the difference between indigenous and native?
view the full question and answer
Plants adding calcium to soil
June 08, 2006 - Hi,
I am looking for a resource to help determine the functions of native plants. For instance, nitrogen fixing can be found in Indigo, Lead plant, lupines. Are there other plants that add back cal...
view the full question and answer
Weak stems on asters and ironweed from Woodbridge ON
June 06, 2012 - My question is in regards to plants flopping over. My smooth asters and ironweeds never seem to have strong stems.
Is because the soil is too fertile or maybe too shallow?
view the full question and answer
Cold hardiness zones for plants from Jackson MS
October 02, 2010 - How to search the plant database by cold-hardiness zone?
Is it possible to do combination search by zone (not just state?)
With the information provided with plant, I do not see the zone listed.
Ma...
view the full question and answer
Is a height of 5 to 8 feet forOenothera biennis (Common evening primrose) normal?
August 30, 2014 - I have identified a version of Evening Primrose Oenothera biennia L. In my yard, Livonia Michigan. These plants range in height from 5-8+ feet.
Is this typical? The references I find indicates 3-5 fe...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |