Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - July 03, 2007
From: Saginaw, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of Cercis canadensis or Cornus florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have what I think is a dogwood tree of some sort but I'm not sure. I wondered if I sent you a picture you could identify it. So far no one has. It's different because of its branches. They are red in color and hairy and almost fuzzy with pink flowers in the spring. I've been to quit a few green houses specializing in trees and come up blank. I think you'll find it interesting.ANSWER:
Your description of the flowers in the spring almost sounds like Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) rather than one of the dogwoods, but Mr. Smarty Plants may have misunderstood about the fuzziness. Perhaps it doesn't seem fuzzy from all the pink flowers, but from general "hairiness" on the branches. There is a pink version of Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) that is the state tree of Virginia. However, since Mr. Smarty Plants isn't at all sure that either of these is your tree, your best bet is to send us photos so that we can try to identify it.Please visit the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page and read instructions for submitting photos under Plant Identification in the lower righthand corner of the page.
More Plant Identification Questions
How to have Mimosa and Yucca identified.
July 30, 2008 - Hello,
I have recently come across what I believe to be Mimosa microphylla in a very southwest corner of Mississippi. The only thing different about this patch is its brilliant white blooms! I can no...
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers that grow in woodlands
June 22, 2011 - Please tell me the names of wildflowers that grow under your oak trees in Texas. I am only familiar with those open meadow plants, not those that live under the deciduous trees. Thank you for your t...
view the full question and answer
Botanical name for a kidney-shaped leaf
June 25, 2009 - Dear Mr Smarty Plants, I love the site.. but I was searching for id on this odd plant I have..
I have lived here a few years now, and have seen them before, never seemingly to have a flower..but ...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Jewel of the Nile
June 04, 2005 - My husband and I just returned from a short trip to San Francisco. While on a bus tour that took us to the Twin Peaks area, we saw some beautiful purple flowers growing on the hillside. Our tour guid...
view the full question and answer
Lookink for bulbs of German Blue Bells in Weatherford, TX.
July 09, 2012 - I am searching for a plant that is called "German Blue Bells". They are tubular as seed. Like tiny iris only bands around the tubular. The flower looks like a morning glory with an off set bloom....
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
