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
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 - July 06, 2007
From: Knowlesville, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Possible identification of common mullein in New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
OK I have a monster size plant, growing beside my patio, looked weedlike similar to a burdock when young, but different and interesting. So we let it grow its now about 7'2" tall grows about 2-3" per day (esp. the flower mass on top). Topped with a phallic like flower mass with green buds and small yellow flowers. Leaves are broad +/- 6" wide and 18" long, burdock green. Many smaller offshoots of the flowering phallic like masses many at bases of the leaves.ANSWER:
Hmmm...very interesting! One plant that comes to Mr. Smarty Plant's mind is Verbascum thapsus, common mullein, although the description doesn't match exactly. Missouri Plants has more photos and information. If this isn't your plant, we would be happy to try to identify it if you will send us a photo. Please read the instructions for submitting photos under Plant Identification on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page.More Plant Identification Questions
Keys for identification of native plants in Ohio
April 22, 2005 - Do you know of any good web sites that provide keys for the identification of native plants? I'm conducting a wetland plant inventory in southwestern Ohio.
view the full question and answer
Incomplete question from Austin TX
June 16, 2012 - If I asked this same question but in regards to Austin TX what would the answer be? My 2 plants have spent 2 winters indoors (they are huge now and never stop blooming), but am wondering about leaving...
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
Was my grandmother growing a Honeysuckle Bush in Middleton, Idaho?
May 17, 2010 - I would like to know the name of the flowering bush that grew in the backyard of my grandmother's house in Middleton, Idaho. I remember it to be purple in color and had petals with what I used to ca...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 13, 2008 - Bought a plant don't know what it is or how to care for it. It looks like it's dying. Description: light to dark green, long, skinny, rounded trunk, surrounded and topped with grass like blades(top ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |