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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Friday - October 09, 2015
From: Sarasota, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Trees
Title: Are Royal Poinciana and Royal Empress trees the same?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, can you tell me if the Royal empress tree and the Royal Poinciana are the same tree?ANSWER:
Both are introduced species that are not native to North America, but they are not the same tree.
Paulownia tomentosa (Royal empress or princesstree), Family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family), is native to China and is considered invasive in some parts of North America. Here is more information on its invasive status.
Delonix regia (Royal poinciana), Family Fabaceae (Bean Family), is native to Madagascar. It is not considered invasive, but caution is advised about its potential for invasiveness in south Florida.
More Non-Natives Questions
Moving "lily of the valley" from MD to TX. Is that OK?
January 17, 2012 - My question pertains to lily of the valley. From your database, I learned that it is a native plant but only the following states were listed: GA , KY , NC , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV. I am moving from...
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Invasive, non-native Cirsium arvense in Michigan
September 07, 2008 - I have identified that I have growing abundantly "Canada Thistle";the noxious and invasive. I know this to be true because where it grows nothing else grows; not even the native weeds. I want to get...
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Application of sprays to non-native Crape Myrtle from Prosper TX
June 29, 2012 - Can applying a systemic insecticide/fungicide combo prevent or limit Crape Myrtle blooms? I have 5 large lavender Crapes that are not blooming or budding yet and this is the first time I have used a ...
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Native shrubs to replace non-native boxwood in Parker County, TX
January 31, 2009 - I'm looking to replace some Japanese Boxwoods my wife planted years ago with some native plants, they run along the front of our house next to the foundation and porch about 60' in length. I prefer ...
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White specks on unknown houseplant from Ridgeway SC
June 20, 2013 - I have an unknown houseplant that seems to have some sort of pest or disease on it. It has white snowy specks atop its leaf. I bought this purple fuzzy leafed houseplant from Walmart in Winnsboro, SC ...
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