Native Plants
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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - July 06, 2012
From: SUNRISE, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Poisonous Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Dwarf oyster plant dying in Sunrise FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
WHAT WOULD BE KILLING MY DWARF OYSTER PLANTSANSWER:
From a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer, here is the scientific name of this plant, Tradescantia spathacea. It will not be in our Native Plant Database because it is native to Mexico, the West Indies and Central America.
Perhaps you should be grateful to whatever it is. (Herbicides sprayed in the neighborhood?) We could find no information on killing Tradescantia spathacea or reviving it, but lots of information on the severe allergic reactions of people and dogs to some toxic substance exuded by it. See this Floridata website on Dwarf Oyster Plant.
Perhaps the best website for you to read is the forum Dave's Garden. Please read the 8 negative comments on the plant.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Safe grazing for donkeys and goats from Osteen FL
June 30, 2012 - I am having a very difficult time trying to find shrubs, hedges, plants, flowers, or trees etc. that are safe for donkeys and goats. We live in Zone 9 and have a small farm. I've had to pull every ...
view the full question and answer
How to keep plants alive in a pot beside a patio waterfall.
May 13, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a waterfall on my patio and I can't keep my plants alive in the flower pot next to waterfall. Is that beacuse of algae produced by waterfall? If so, can you please recomme...
view the full question and answer
Caterpillars on Milkweed in MA
January 23, 2016 - I have found every year a black/red caterpillars on my milkweed. They eat everything! I have never been able to find out what they are or how to get rid of them.
view the full question and answer
Effects of Hedysarum mackenzii from Pflugerville TX
May 08, 2013 - What are the effects of Hedysarum mackenzii?
view the full question and answer
Soils for spiderwort from Round Rock TX
August 08, 2013 - We have spiderworts growing naturally in our backyard. We put a large circle around them them with limestone rock (as our beds have) to make their own bed as they clumped in one area.
What kind of s...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |