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.

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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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Thursday - June 21, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Information on non-native caladiums from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Have you a leaflet on growing caladiums in the Austin area?

ANSWER:

The genus Caladium includes seven species, which are indigenous to Brazil and to neighboring areas of South America and Central America. They grow in open areas of the forest and on the banks of rivers and go dormant during the dry season. The wild plants grow to 15–35 inches tall, with leaves mostly 6-18 inches long and broad.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but also to the area in which those plants grow natively. So, would have no information on this plant either in our Native Plants Database or a pamphlet on their growth.