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_20.gif)
Monday - March 09, 2015
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives
Title: Plant native Lantana urticoides and not non-native
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
San Antonio Water System does not want to assist invasive plants but we want to encourage Lantana sp but we need to know what Lantana camara hybrids are sterileANSWER:
Although the Florida Invasives Organization has published this list of "sterile" Lantana camara species, we are wondering why you don't avoid the non-native Lantana spp. and use the species that is native to Texas.
A paper from 1987 [Sterile Lantana camara: Fact or Theory by J. J. Spies and Henriette de Plessis. South African Journal of Plant Soil 1987, 4 (4)] questions the sterility of the "sterile' form of Lantana camara and there is still controversy about the effectiveness of the sterile cultures as seen in Ploidy Levels and Pollen Stainability of Lantana camara Cultivars and Breeding Lines by David M. Czarnecki II et al. HortScience October 2014, 49:1271-1276.
Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana) is native to Bexar County as can be seen in this distribution map on the USDA Plants Database webpage. Why not use it instead of the non-native, invasive Lantana camara? If you use the native species, you do not need to worry about whether or not the plant you are using is sterile.
From the Image Gallery
More Invasive Plants Questions
Identification of lantanas safe for use in Florida
February 10, 2008 - Why do you list lantana camara as a native to the U.S. and as a native plant in Florida? It is a category one invasive exotic on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's list of invasive exotics. La...
view the full question and answer
Vinegar as a Herbicide
March 08, 2012 - When can you use vinegar on weeds to get rid of them.
view the full question and answer
Chinaberry trees coming up volunteer
October 14, 2007 - I have several chinaberry trees that have sprouted after my neighbor trimmed his tree. I have cut these trees down to the ground a couple of times, but they just send out new shoots. Any idea on how...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
November 02, 2011 - I have a plant that I would like to identify. It is a tall shrub/woody vine? (approx. 8-10 feet) that has very large thorns on its branches and stems. The stems remain green during winter. It loses it...
view the full question and answer
Killing mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) with propane torch
January 14, 2010 - Can I kill mesquite with intense fire, such as a 1.2 million BTU propane torch? I know mesquite bounces back from cutting at the soil line. The trees are in Elgin.
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |