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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - August 23, 2010
From: Sarasota, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification, Transplants
Title: Plant identification from Sarasota, FL.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
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 alligator skin. Wondering if you could tell me what this is? I have looked on the internet and cant seem to find it. Thank you.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants has found that it is difficult, if not impossible, to identify a plant from a written description even if it's well done. Did you happen to take a picture of the plant? If so, go to the Plant Identification Page and followi the instructions for submitting a photo.
I did a Combination Search of the Native Plant Data Base , and the only purple flowering tree I found from Florida was Asimina triloba (pawpaw). Of course, the plant you saw may have been a non-naive. If this isn't your plant, we really need to see a picture.
More Plant Identification Questions
Bee-friendly bush with small yellow flowers in Minnesota
August 04, 2015 - I was up north in Minnesota and saw a bee friendly bush with small yellow flowers clustered so they looked like small (4"-6") flocked Christmas trees. Any ideas? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Identity of plant friend bought at plant sale
June 20, 2015 - Can you Please Identify this plant? A friend had bought it at a plant sale and she thinks it was called a money tree. I am curios as to what it really is because it has jagged edges on the leaves and ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification from Tamaqua PA
August 08, 2010 - I live in PA, have a plant growing in my geranium planter,
was told it was a moonflower, but it is not a vine.
The flower is a white trumpet, six star, with purple in the middle. leaves look like ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 25, 2008 - Identification of woodland plant in a rual area ?
we have bears britches and another plant simaler, but the leaves are flat and smooth, each leaf is on a seperate stalk and each plant has 3 stalk...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID of invasive vine from Austin
August 21, 2013 - A friend lives in southwest Austin and has a vine that's coming up all over her yard. I am a Williamson County Master Gardener and have asked all the garden gurus in my group what it is from a photo ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |