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_00.gif)
Tuesday - July 01, 2008
From: Valdosta, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Native vs. Invasive Experiment
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I asked you earlier about my group's experiment on native vs. invasive plants in Valdosta. Here are what we chose to work with..native: spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) and invasive: wild taro (Colocasia esculenta). Do you have any idea or suggestions on growing and monitoring them inside an aquarium in order for us to test their carbon dioxide levels and photosynthesis rates?? Thank you so much for your valuable time!!ANSWER:
Clearly, we do not have enough information about the design of your experiment to help you. It seems to us that a better choice for comparison would be two very closely-related species - one native, the other invasive. Tradescantia ohiensis (bluejacket) and Colocasia esculenta (taro) are so dissimilar that it seems like any results you got would be skewed. Moreover, Colocasia grows quite large. Your aquarium will need to be proportionally huge to accomodate it. We recommend discussing your project with a science faculty member at Valdosta State University.
More Invasive Plants Questions
Invasive iceplant in Hawaii
October 29, 2008 - Last time I checked Hawaii was in North America. Invasive or not, iceplant continues to be a much used ground cover etc for golf courses, sides of the freeway and many many City and County projects pr...
view the full question and answer
How many Bamboo species are native to North Carolina? one
March 27, 2014 - I would like to know how many bamboo plants are native to North Carolina?
view the full question and answer
Why isn't Lantana camara in NPIN?
October 16, 2009 - Why don't you have Lantana camara in your data base? It is very common here, and is in the USDA database.
view the full question and answer
Ways of eliminating smilax bona-nox
December 16, 2008 - How can I get rid of "smilax bona" or green briar vines besides digging them up one by one? I have been told by Harris County Ext. Office to just mow them.. Ha Ha Good luck with that. Is there a...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating Arrow Weed from property in Mohave Valley AZ
July 22, 2010 - How do I get rid of Arrowweeds on my property?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |