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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Tuesday - February 11, 2014
From: Fairchance, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Edible Plants
Title: Wild Edible Books for Pennsylvania
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I was hoping I could get some suggestions of one or more good books on wild edibles that I can find in Southwest PA. Any help will be greatly appreciated.ANSWER:
There are several books in the Wildflower Center Bibliography that deal with edible plants in your state or region. Check the list below for some suggested titles.
Pennsylvania's Edible Plants: Plants you can find on the trail or in your own back yard! by C. Wingert
Edible Wild Plants of Pennsylvania and New York by J. Tomikel
Edible Wild Plants of Pennsulvania and Neighboring States by Richard and Mary Lee Medve
Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America by M. L. Fernald
Also, you might be interested in seeing a previous Mr. Smarty Plants question about edible fruits and plants in PA that Nan Hampton answered most thoroughly (including a list of edible trees and shrubs).
More Edible Plants Questions
Citrus trees for Austin
May 21, 2008 - I am looking for citrus that grows in the Austin,Tx area.
Could you offer any suggestions please?
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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...
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Is the Texas mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa, toxic to cats?
September 08, 2009 - Hi Mr. Smarty Pants!
Regarding Texas mesquite tree, I know that rabbits and deer etc eat the seed pods, but my cat every time he goes outside starts munching on the pods, and I can't find any info o...
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Dead or Dormant Chile Pequins in Corpus Christi
November 12, 2010 - We have 4 chile pequin and 5 chiltepin plants growing our yard. All were thriving beautifully until we took a 12-day vacation in late July. There was little rain during that time but overall this y...
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Identification of a cucumber-like vine with fruit
November 16, 2011 - We found tiny, grape-size white melon-like fruit on a vine, with tomato-like/cucumber-like seeds. The leaves on the vine were similar to grape or cucumber leaves, but not spiny. They were behind our...
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