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
Wednesday - March 30, 2011
From: Detroit, MI
Region: Southwest
Topic: General Botany, Non-Natives
Title: Do Banana Plants Grow in Galveston, Texas?
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
Do banana plants grow on Galveston island?ANSWER:
Only if they are planted there. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the areas in which those plants natively grow. Banana plants do not fit that description.
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Although these species are not native to Texas, they are commonly used in landscapes. The foliage will die back after a freeze and will seldom (if ever) produce an edible product.
More Non-Natives Questions
Esperanza turning brown in McGregor TX
May 05, 2010 - Why are my Esperanza turning brown?
view the full question and answer
Use of non-native Indian Mustard for reducing lead in soil
February 07, 2007 - The EPA phytoremediation documents say lead contamination can be reduced with Brassica juncea:
"Successful Reduction of Lead Contamination.
Phytoextraction was demonstrated at a site in Tren...
view the full question and answer
Dry, brown leaves on non-native weeping willow
August 03, 2008 - Hello! I live in Pennsylvania I have 5 weeping willows I planted 3 years ago. All seemed well until last week I noticed suddenly one looks like it might be dying!? All the leaves are dry & brown. T...
view the full question and answer
Decline of non-native Star Jasmine in California
June 30, 2008 - We just had 2 trachelospermum jasminoides planted in a redwood planter box about a month ago. We can't figure out if we are watering too much or too little but some leaves are turning yellow and the...
view the full question and answer
Toxicity of non-native red-tip photinia to fish from Friendswood TX
April 10, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have seen several questions on Red Tip Photinia (RTP) concerning toxicity to horses, dogs and children. We recently lost over 100 gold fish and 6 large KOI in our man made back ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |