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 - November 30, 2007
From: Nashville, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Identification of vine with translucent red berries in Tennessee.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
During the month of November I have seem in Nashville, TN a vine which appears to be native or a handed-down plant growing behind a restaurant site on a chain link fence. It was loaded with clusters of beautiful bright red translucent berries. The leaves are somewhat heart shaped about 2 inches long and 1.5 inched wide. It is a twining vine and I believe it to be deciduous although it still had leaves in November. It was growing in a hot dry site so must be tough. Any help to identify this plant would be most appreciated as I would like to grow it. Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smart Plants thinks that this sounds a bit like Cocculus carolinus (Carolina coralbead). If this isn't your mystery vine, please take photos and send them. This will help in identifying your plant. You can find instructions for sending photos under "Plant Identification" on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page.
More Vines Questions
Vine for arbor in Eugene, OR
May 01, 2009 - We have an arbor that is partial shade and stays fairly wet and want to plant a climbing plant on it with shallow roots, preferably with flowers. We had a wisteria but got roots and shooters everywher...
view the full question and answer
Which Aristolochia species are toxic to pipevine swallowtail larvae
May 27, 2009 - In a May 30, 2008 question regarding the toxicity of certain Aristolochia species to pipevine swallowtail larvae, I had heard the same from at a talk from the curator of the Cockrell Butterfly Center ...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on wisteria
October 15, 2005 - A friend has a wisteria bush in his yard that was planted around 1950 by his mother. It has yellow blossoms. He has been told many times by people passing by (they stop to look at the plant) that the...
view the full question and answer
Blueberries & Raspberries for Walla Walla WA
October 17, 2011 - Which blueberry and raspbery plants grow best and suvive winter in Walla Walla Washington
view the full question and answer
Re-landscaping in Stephenville, TX.
November 17, 2012 - I prefer native plants. We are re-landsacaping, so I need grass, ground cover, vines and flowers to plant in our back yard. We have many trees and the whole yard is shady. A small area might be con...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |