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)
Thursday - May 14, 2009
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Why is Asphodelus fistulosus (onionweed) forbidden by property owners assoications?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Our local property owners association is imploring us to remove all onionweed (Asphodelus fistulosus L.). The USDA lists it as a noxious weed. Why? I think it is pretty and flowery. Is it poisonous, hallucinogenic, or what? Thank you.ANSWER:
Asphodelus fistulosus (onionweed) is an invasive, non-native from southern Europe, Mediterranean Africa and western Asia. On the webpage for the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health you can find links to several noxious plant lists on which it appears. It is very aggressive in propagating itself and has few, if any, predators since it is unpalatable to cattle and most wildlife. You can read more about its status in Arizona from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Invaders of the Sonora Desert Region page. The Tonto National Forest in Arizona also has a page devoted to the onionweed. Mr. Smarty Plants says "thanks" to the local property owners association for helping to protect the environment from this aggressively invasive non-native plant.More Invasive Plants Questions
Runaway Agave Americana from Pacific Palisades CA
April 29, 2013 - We live near open space on Santa Monica Mountain State Park. Our Association planted non-native, invasive Agave Americanas all over the adjacent slopes, and we are trying to get the exploding pups and...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating black locust volunteers in Rockville MD
September 27, 2011 - I am a landscape designer whose client has a very large, mature black locust in her front yard. Not surprisingly, she also has multitudes of black locust volunteers popping up all over her yard. The...
view the full question and answer
Ways of eliminating smilax bona-nox
December 16, 2008 - How can I get rid of "smilax bona" or green briar vines besides digging them up one by one? I have been told by Harris County Ext. Office to just mow them.. Ha Ha Good luck with that. Is there a...
view the full question and answer
Is Gooseneck native from Cleveland Heights OH
July 20, 2012 - I live in Cleveland Heights, OH, and have an abundance of gooseneck in my yard. Is it a native plant?
Thank you!
view the full question and answer
Coltsfoot invasive in Rindge NH
July 21, 2009 - I live in Rindge NH. My question is how do I stop colts foot from taking over my land? It is getting out of hand.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |