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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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Friday - March 26, 2010

From: Martindale, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Problem Plants
Title: Identification of invasive plant
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have found an invasive plant species in Martindale, Texas that I would like to identify for family members. It is taking over their pasture and is difficult to eliminate. It has not bloomed yet but appears to have violet white buds with a leaf similar to that of a geranium. It grows in bunches and up to about 3 1/2 feet tall. Please advise. Thank you!

ANSWER:

Identifying plants from a description alone is difficult, if not impossible.  Please take photos and send them to us and we will do our best to identify your plant.  To read instructions for submitting photos, please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page.  Please carefully follow the instructions there, especially regarding high resolution photos in good focus.

 

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