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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - October 02, 2014
From: Jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Trees
Title: Difference in native and non-native cherry laurel
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a backyard volunteer that I have identified as a cherry laurel, but how do I tell the Carolina from the non-native? This is still young (2 years or so), and not flowering, at least not now.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants is a little baffled. The only cherry laurel I know that occurs in Florida is Prunus caroliniana (Cherry laurel) and the USDA Plants Database agrees that it is a native. If you go to the USDA Plants Database and search for Prunus species (click on the "Subordinate Taxa" in the menu), you will see that Prunus caroliniana is found naturally in Florida but there does not appear to be any non-native Prunus species that occur naturally in Florida. The only other cherry laurel that I see on the USDA Plants Database is the non-native European species Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel), but you can see that its distribution in North America is California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. It is very unlikely to come up as a volunteer in Florida.
From the Image Gallery
More Non-Natives Questions
Pronunciation of non-native mutabilis from Austin
April 11, 2010 - How do you pronounce the rose name, "mutabilis"? Some friends say "mu TAB ilis" and others say "muta BIL is". Which is it?
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Non-native lavender for Texas in San Antonio
July 15, 2009 - I am looking for a lavender (English?) that will tolerate Tx summers, is evergreen, will tolerate some shade. I want to border a sidewalk with it. All help appreciated.
view the full question and answer
Non-blooming climbing rose in Conroe, TX
October 09, 2009 - I have a climbing rose and it has never bloomed and has no thorns, it was a cutting from another rose bush. I have given it water and fertilize and have mulch around it also.
view the full question and answer
Distinguishing American from Chinese beautyberry from Huntsville AL
August 03, 2012 - How can I tell American beautyberry from Chinese beautyberry when trying to purchase strictly native plants?
view the full question and answer
White powder on non-native houseplants from Fort Davis TX
February 11, 2011 - I have a white powder on my houseplants that I can't figure out what it is or what to do about it? (Dracaena & Corn plants) Could be a fungus can you help? (can send a photo if you will tell me how t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |