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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - May 08, 2015
From: Igo, CA
Region: California
Topic: Poisonous Plants, Problem Plants
Title: Identification of potentially toxic weed in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi! Sorry about the error, I'm not very computer savvy! I have a weed that grows on my land; about 1 foot tall its flower looks like a Q-tip. My neighbor says it killed her horse! I can't find it on the website or in any of my books. I can't keep up with it pulling by hand, it's everywhere! What is it and what should I do about it, if anything? Thanks! WrenANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants is sorry but your description doesn't bring any native California plant immediately to mind. Your best bet is to contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Service in Shasta County to see if someone can identify your plant and advise you whether or not it is considered toxic to horses. Perhaps you can photograph it and send the photo to someone in their office. If it is toxic they will likely be able to tell you how to get rid of it.
Alternatively, you can visit our Plant Identification page where you will find plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification. After it has been identified you can search the Internet by its scientific name to determine if it is toxic.
More Problem Plants Questions
Aggressive Plants in Pleasant Valley NY
September 01, 2014 - Are there any native plants that can out compete Japanese knotweed?
view the full question and answer
Controlling live oak suckers in Florida
July 20, 2014 - How do I kill emerging live oak sprouts coming from mature tree root system
view the full question and answer
Dealing with live oak suckers in Central Texas
March 05, 2015 - Hi, I have a couple huge Live Oak trees in my back yard. Trunks are 4' in diameter. These Live Oaks produce a lot of root sprouts/suckers. I had always head that a tree's roots feed on water/oxyg...
view the full question and answer
Plants to replace Phragmites australis (Common reed) in Cedar Ridge Preserve
February 25, 2015 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in the DFW area and volunteer at a preserve (Cedar Ridge). We are constantly battling the common reed, Phragmites australis, around the pond. I am wondering what shou...
view the full question and answer
Black Walnut tree in LA
March 12, 2012 - I was just given a black walnut tree and am trying to determine where to place it. I’ve read on your site that “Certain plants will not grow under Black Walnut trees because of the juglones that the ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |