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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| Identification of growth on possible oak tree March 24, 2008 We have photographed a very unusual bloom or growth on a tree we suspect may be an oak, and would like to submit photos of the bloom, bark, and (leafless) tree to someone for identification. My wild ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Distinguish between Huisache and Goldenball Leadtree March 23, 2008 How do you distinguish between Huisache (Acacia farnesiana) and Goldenball Leadtree (Leucaena retusa)? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Origin of name Bluedicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) March 21, 2008 Why are Blue Dicks called that? I do a weekly wildflower update on the radio and I don't know the answer! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Books for plant identification of native California species March 14, 2008 When I was going to college, many years ago, there was a field book for plant identification for California native species. I am trying to find that book again or at least a good pocket book on plant... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a Globe Mallow March 14, 2008 Mr. SP, Two or three years ago I purchased a mallow at the Wildflower Center that (I was told) had not yet been identified. I have looked at your pictures of Sphaeralcea hastulata which has the same ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of maypop north of Houston March 08, 2008 I have some land in the country an hour north of Houston, Texas. There is a wild plant which grows in clusters from 10' to 20' wide. These plants grow about 6" or 12" apart.They are approx. one fo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of plant purchased as desert willow February 29, 2008 Purchased a plant at Chappel Hill, Texas and was told it was a desert willow. The bloom cluster and pink color are very similar, but leaves resemble the wisteria. Very pretty. What is it? Can it be r... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Instructions on posting photos of plant for ID February 29, 2008 I need help identifying an adopted tree. How do I post the picture so I can show you? It's a odd one I've never seen. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of old plant called pinks February 28, 2008 For years my mother had a pretty pink flower in her yard. It was in a little cluster of green leaf like bush. She just called them pinks. They would close in the sun and open in the morning or afte... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information about native aconitum February 27, 2008 There was a picture of a plant in our local newspaper this past week. In the photo ID they called this plant an aconite, a member of the buttercup family. My questions are: is there such a plant? is i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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