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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Sunday - August 09, 2009
From: Duluth, MN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Can berries of non-native Fuchsia plant be eaten from Duluth MN
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Are the berries of the Fuschia plant edible?ANSWER:
There are a number of plants with "fuchsia" (and yes, this is the correct spelling, it's named after a man named Fuchs) in their name, but two species seem to be most common: Fuchsia magellanica, hardy fuchsia, and Fuchsia paniculata. The first is native to South America and the second to Central Mexico and South America. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, our expertise is exclusively plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. Most probably you are referring to Fuchsia paniculata, which is usually used as a house plant. We found a website from the San Francisco Botanical Gardens on Fuchsia paniculata which may help answer your question.More Non-Natives Questions
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May 18, 2011 - Another Mimosa Question: I have a newly planted chocolate mimosa; it has a single, 7 ft spindly trunk with approximately a 3 ft canopy. I'm afraid that its girth will not withstand much in terms of...
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Viability of non-native Royal Poinciana in Austin
August 20, 2008 - My question is about the tree called Royal Poinciana that grows so well in the Rio Grande Valley. I realise it isn't a native but hope you have an opinion about its chances of survival in Austin. ...
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Distribution vs. Native Distribution in NPIN?
September 27, 2013 - I'm a Habitat Steward in Austin and conducting a native plant swap tomorrow, 9/28/13.
I need to be able to tell people who come whether their plant is native or not.
I want to use your smart phone ...
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Non-native impatiens from Charlottesville VA
June 09, 2011 - Question about type of impatiens. My Alabama mother grew these and called them touch-me-not. They grow about 2 feet tall and blooms grow UNDER the leaf canopy up the stem. Colors I have are pale pink ...
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Invasive, non-native Paulownia
May 03, 2006 - Hi. We would like to plant a fast growing tree that will provide shade for our house. What do you think of the Paulownia tree (Empress Tree) as a possibility for the Austin area? If this is not a g...
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