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
Why are our Euphorbia myrsinites plants dying in Soquel, CA?
August 02, 2010 - Some of our Euphorbia myrsinites die in our garden for reasons we cannot understand. Do you have any explanation or suggest area we should be looking for?
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Failure to thrive of potted blue-green cypress
July 26, 2008 - I received a small 14" potted blue-green cypress for Christmas 2007. Kept it in a bright window, not direct sun. It was doing great until two weeks ago when it started turning brown from the center. ...
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Spots on non-native naval orange trees from Stockton CA
October 20, 2012 - I have two mature Navel Orange trees. One tree has developed spotty chlorophyl depleted areas that were not on the oranges when they were smaller. In addition, the oranges on both trees are smaller ,...
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Problems with non-native althea in White Oak TX
June 10, 2011 - I have an althea bush that is 2 years old. I have never had a problem with it before but this year only half of it has leaved out and is blooming. The other half has some very small leaves and very sm...
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Information about non-native Epimedium
May 15, 2010 - What type of barrenwort (Epimedium) will grow well in Central Texas?
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