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
Not Yet Rated

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


Scarlet globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea

Scarlet globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea

More Medicinal Plants Questions

Are Viguiera dentate leaves toxic to dogs?
November 26, 2014 - Many dogs on the Turkey Creek Nature Trail in Emma Long Metropolitan Park love to snack on the leaves of the Viguiera Dentata plants. The leaves SEEM to be harmless. I am writing to request informat...
view the full question and answer

Herbalism and Native American EthnoBotany
June 25, 2007 - What plants cure diarrhea?
view the full question and answer

Tree that successfully treats psoriasis
January 31, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty plants,I have a rather unusual question. Do you know of a tree/plant that you can grow in a container, looks like a conifer/evergreen, is green, has wispy looking branches, but when t...
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

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

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