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
Monday - March 31, 2008
From: Weir, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of Spaeralcea sp. Globe Mallow
Answered by: Barbara Medford and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
Let's do it again....my computer had some "issues" and I lost your answer.... I purchased a mallow from the WFC about two years ago...I was told at the time they had not yet identified the plant...it is aproximtely 2 1/2 feet tall, has grey/sliver foilage with very bright orange flowers that have a yellow center. The leaf is not quite 2" with wavy margin. The plant is in full bloom right now and is stunning.ANSWER:
Sorry our first answer went astray. Here is the previous answer for you to read. We have since discussed this and can give you a little more accurate information. It may be S. lindheimeri but probably is not. Some very highly qualified experts in Sphaeralceas have been consulted, and they have conflicting ideas on what it is. The plant remains officially unidentified to species. We keep it in our collection because we know exactly where it came from (it was collected by a staff member) and because it is so gorgeous. For the time being, it will simply have to be identified as Sphaeralcea sp., Globe Mallow.More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification
April 16, 2010 - No pictures only memory. It looks like a dried flower and grows with other wildflowers along roadside. It is mostly purple or blue purple and sometimes called statis.
Stems favor dandelions, only t...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 27, 2008 - A friend brought back pictures of plants from a recent trip which included the center. It didn't have an identification sign on it and no one was around at that moment for him to ask. I can send th...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification from Sarasota, FL.
August 23, 2010 - Hi I recently went to Discovery Cove in Orlando Florida and saw a purple flowering tree/shrub that had branches similar to okra shape or starfruit shape, the leaves were very grainy similar to alligat...
view the full question and answer
Identity of mystery plant in non-native commercial forage mix
December 17, 2013 - Dear Smart One,
I use a commercially prepared, fortified, chopped forage based on a mix of orchard and Timothy grasses. The bags are shipped in from out of State. However, I have been finding short s...
view the full question and answer
Plant identfication
October 21, 2009 - Hi...Can you please identfy the tall, evergreen shrub with purple plum-colored foliage that I have noticed in winter locally?...Hope so, need he color! THX
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |