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
Tuesday - April 17, 2007
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Introduced invasive Melia azedarach along Shoal Creek in Austin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Along the Shoal Creek Trail in Austin are many flowering trees with sparse clusters of small pink/purple, star-shaped flowers with a dark red center stalk, blooming now in April. They have a fragrance that reminds me of honeysuckle. Can you identify these, please?ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants thinks you are seeing Melia azedarach (Chinaberry tree), an introduced species classified as invasive because of its ability to outcompete native species.More Invasive Plants Questions
Eliminating bamboo in Austin
December 07, 2009 - Everyone should be warned about bamboo and how invasive it is. My neighbor planted it in his back yard and it's now taking over my back yard and all the surrounding yards. He installed a barrier but ...
view the full question and answer
Nativity of various bulbs
October 15, 2014 - Are the following bulbs native?
Chionodoxa forbesii
Camassia leichflinii
Crocus Sprint tommasinianus Barr's Purple
Hyacinthoides hispanica
Narcissus 'Actea'
Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' ...
view the full question and answer
Replacement for Amber Jubilee Ninebark in California
November 22, 2014 - AMBER JUBILEE bush separating my neighbor and me, is spreading its roots into our water pipes. Want to rip out. What plants are root friendly and also give you privacy?
view the full question and answer
Plant identification of tall stalk with many thorns
April 17, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants:
After we raked all the leaves, I found three or four plants on my property that are thin tall stalks with many thorns. Leaves are just growing, so I cannot describe them. ...
view the full question and answer
Destroying seeds of Chinaberry tree
October 23, 2007 - I have a "chinaberry" tree in my yard, and while I understand that it is an invasive plant to Texas, I was hoping to save the large mature tree. As an effort to be more responsible I have been coll...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |