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 - June 14, 2010
From: Benton, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Thorn in the hand in Benton KY
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
My husband got stuck by a thorn on a thorn bush and the thorn was a goldish copper color. There is a knot on his hand and pain in his fingers to his elbow. Do you know what kind of bush this could be? I have searched the net but can not find anything like it.ANSWER:
We are always amazed when our correspondents contact us before they see a doctor in situations like this. If there were toxin in the thorn, you would already know about it. However, any injury like that is susceptible to infection, which could be very serious. Or a piece of the thorn could still be in his hand , which also is dangerous. We have two suggestions: (1) see a doctor and (2) wear gloves and watch what you're doing when you stick your hand in a bush.More Poisonous Plants Questions
Plants repellant to snakes
October 20, 2007 - Is there anything a gardener can plant to keep snakes away, especially poisonous snakes? Are there plants that attract snakes (Our dog was bitten by a cottonmouth right near our back porch a couple of...
view the full question and answer
Flying insects eating leaves of non-native Brugmansia in Aline CA
October 17, 2013 - I have an Angel Trumpet tree. We live in Aline, California
30 miles east of San Diego. Little yellow and black flying
bugs eat the leaves. Do you have a remedy for this problem.
view the full question and answer
What purple mushrooms grow in Texas from McKinney TX
July 14, 2012 - What purple mushrooms grow in North Texas?
view the full question and answer
Perennials non-toxic to horses in Thayer MO
September 21, 2010 - I live in South Central Missouri. I am looking for a plant/shrub to plant in pots (our soil is clay and very rocky)to landscape the front of our barn. This plant can't be harmful to horses and must b...
view the full question and answer
Does Helasia diptera absorb toxic substances from Dover Plains NY
March 09, 2012 - Dear Mr. Plants,
Halesia carolina is described as absorbing toxic substances: herbicides, pesticides and pollutants from water, air and soil. Does Halesia diptera do the same?
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |