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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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| Brownish-gold worm-looking things on loblolly pines May 08, 2015 We have a large loblolly pine that each spring drops thousands of brownish-gold "worm" looking things (about 1/2 to 1" long). Do they have a name and what is their purpose? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Common Milkweed a Succulent? March 31, 2015 Is the common milkweed (butterfly plant) classified as a succulent? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Correct family classification for Allium cernuum March 19, 2015 What is the correct family classification for Allium cernuum? I have seen the nodding onion as part of the Liliaceae family on the USDA website and my field guides, but it is in the Alliaceae family i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What shade trees have non-invasive root systems? March 03, 2015 What shade trees have a non-invasive root system? I am in zone 7a. Thank you, Mr. Smarty Plants! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| USDA Hardiness Zones January 22, 2015 Some natives are listed as ZONE 3 - 7. Would they be ok in zone 9. I thought the zones related to cold hardiness. What does the higher number mean, exactly? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about Erigeron annuus and Erigeron philadelphicus January 10, 2015 Hi! I am looking for information about the specific leaf area of Erigeron annuus and Erigeron philadelphicus. Do you know of anyone who is working with any these species, who might be able to provide... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Environmental factors that affect lifecycle stages of maidenhair fern. November 07, 2014 What are the environmental factors that can affect the lifecycle stages of a maidenhair fern, particularly A. trichorleopis? Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Water Use Versus Soil Moisture October 14, 2014 In the Native Plant Database, under Growing Conditions what is the difference between water use and soil moisture? Sometimes they seem contradictory. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Where do snake herb and skeleton-leaf goldeneye get their names? October 05, 2014 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where does snake herb, and skeleton leaf goldeneye get their names from? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is a height of 5 to 8 feet forOenothera biennis (Common evening primrose) normal? August 30, 2014 I have identified a version of Evening Primrose Oenothera biennia L. In my yard, Livonia Michigan. These plants range in height from 5-8+ feet. Is this typical? The references I find indicates 3-5 fe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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