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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Datura in the state of Washington. October 09, 2009 I have a datura species growing beneath my bird feeder. How did it get here in Western Washington?? It has the typical fragrant, tubular flowers & spiky seed pods. It has grown 3' tall & 4' wide. Am... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are leatherleaf viburnum or Carolina Sapphire toxic to horses? October 03, 2009 Are Leather-leaf Viburnum or Carolina Saphire toxic to equine? I would like to plant them near the fence line. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Precautions to take with Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum September 13, 2009 Are there precautions to take, such as wearing gloves while separating the seeds from the Jack In The Pulpit berries. The photos I have seen have gloved hands. I've read that the plant is toxic if in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Itchy hands from handling Lantana plants September 13, 2009 I am in Ocala,FL. I pick up with my hands branches from a cut down Lantana Plant. My hands are very itchy, what can I do. THANK YOU FOR YOU. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants and possible poisonous plants in Aguanga, California August 31, 2009 I am in the process of moving to Aguanga California. I am interested in knowing what the native plants are in that area. Are they poison to animals and kids? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trimming Texas mountain laurel in Austin August 27, 2009 Is there a specific time to trim established mountain laurels? Should I cut off the dried seed pods since they are weighing down the branches? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are palm leaves poisonous? August 25, 2009 I live in a second story house surronded by various types of palm trees on the west coast of Florida. My 1 year old son crawls on the decks and tries to taste all of the palm leaves that sneak through... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants safe for donkeys in Foristell MO August 22, 2009 I am looking for a plant that can grow next to a farm fence, preferably the length of the fence approx 75 ft. in a long row, one that miniature donkeys can safely eat, if they so choose. I like your ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting adventitious shoots of a mountain laurel in San Antonio August 20, 2009 Is it possible to transplant branches (shoots) growing from a mountain laurel that was chopped down? Some are two years old and several feet tall (but not yet blooming) and some as small as a foot. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Toxicity of Yucca leaves San Marcos, TX August 19, 2009 Can you tell me if Yucca constricta leaves are poisonous? I ran into one at night and the next morning had a hive-like, VERY itchy rash. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |