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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.

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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.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
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Sunday - August 09, 2009

From: Alexis, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identfication
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We have red pointed things growing wild in our yard. About the size of an index finger. They just pop up after a rain. Are they poisonous? We have pets.

ANSWER:

Well, they might be a plant or perhaps they are some sort of fungus/mushroom—and, hopefully, they aren't poisonous, but it is possible that they are poisonous.  We can't really be sure of an identification with your description alone.  Is there any chance you can send us a photo or two?  If you can send photos, we will do our very best to identify your mystery 'plants'.  Please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page for instructions on sending photos for identification.

 

 

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