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.
From: Cleveland, OH
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: What is the name of a green plantin Ohio with white flowers that kind of look like broccoli?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
Sounds like an interesting plant, but it is very difficult - and usually not possible - for Mr. Smarty Plants to identify a plant from a written description. However, we will be happy to try to ID your mystery plant from good-quality digital images. Usually a series of well-focused, close-up images of the plant's leaves, flowers, stems (especially the thorns) , fruit (if available), and an overall shot of the plant yield the best results. Please go to the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants Plant Identification page for specific details on submitting images for identification.
One member of the Mr. Smarty Plants crew thinks it sounds like Achillea millefolium (common yarrow). This link will take you to the NPIN page where you can peruse 33 images to see if this is your plant.
Plant identification
September 21, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants,
Hopefully you can help identify the following plant. I've had a bush type of weed growing near my hay feeder for the cows this year that's about 2' tall has massive spikes o...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
October 10, 2009 - I am trying to name a pink fall blooming wildflower. It is growing in a ditch and has several blooms on a stalk about 4' tall.
view the full question and answer
Identification of plant with purple leaves and yellow flowers
April 21, 2008 - I'd like to know the name of a plant that has purplish leaves and sends roots out underground to make new plants. It can be invasive. It has yellow flowers. Leaves are oval in shape. Almost looks lik...
view the full question and answer
Are Yucca and Spanish dagger the same?
May 30, 2008 - We have Yucca, and we have Spanish Dagger. We don't think they are the same thing. Are they?
view the full question and answer
Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut
September 25, 2011 - I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish...
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. |