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_43.gif)
Tuesday - September 14, 2010
From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification
Title: What is the correct genus name for Fringe flower in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Is it Laura Pedlum or lorapetalum? I saw this shrub last week, and finally found a picture of it. The search engine listed about three different names for it! So what is the correct name, and does it come in any other flower color than pink? Thanks!ANSWER:
The correct name is Loropetalum; the name derives from the strap-like petals of the flower (gr. petalon = petals, loron = strap). A common name is Fringe Flower.
The plant is in the witch-hazel family and is native to China and Japan. This places it outside the area of focus of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center where our mission is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants, and landscapes. However, the burgundy foliage and fuchsia flowers of some varieties make them favorites with landscapers.
The species Lorapetalum chinensis has white or yellow flowers, and the species Lorapetalum chinensis var. rubrum has flowers that can be pink, fuchsia, or red. This link to Absolute Wonder give a thorough description of the varieties of Loropetalum chinensis.
More Non-Natives Questions
Non-native Jasmine trachelospermum jasminoides in Utah
June 08, 2008 - Bought (4) Star Jasmine trachelospermum jasminoides at Costco. Want to use them in Salt Lake City, UT, brutal winters, on a fence in a retail center parking lot surrounded by trees. Will the leaves st...
view the full question and answer
Invasiveness of non-native Lonicera fragrantissima in Austin
November 21, 2004 - A couple of years ago I mistakenly bought Lonicera fragrantissima (winter bush honeysuckle),
thinking it was native. I have since discovered that it is native to China and considered invasive...
view the full question and answer
Native or non-native hibiscus for Kansas
August 13, 2005 - I recently purchased a 10" Hibiscus flowering plant and would like to know how to care for it. How much water and sunlight does it need and how long I can expect it to live? It is a beautiful plant a...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen non-native herbs for Bastrop TX
August 26, 2010 - I'm looking for evergreen herbs for Bastrop Texas. I planted an herb garden in the spring of 2009, but mostly all of them died in the winter. Rosemary, Tarragon and Sage made it.
thank you!
view the full question and answer
Yellowing leaves on non-native jasmine from Austin
June 25, 2012 - Hi, I have a mature jasmine plant in the ground in a very sunny courtyard which gets watered daily. The lower leaves are turning yellow and am wondering if this is too much water for it. The top lea...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |