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: Waco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
Well Mr. Smarty Plants can tell you that okra (Hibiscus esculentus) is a member of the Mallow family and closely related to cotton and Hibiscus. However, it is a non-native, and we wouldn’t expect to find a picture of it in our Image Gallery.
I have been in touch with the Genealogy Library in Waco, and they told me they would contact you via e-mail to get more details to help them with their search. Hopefully you will soon have the picture of this tall okra plant with your grandfather.
Identification of native blackhaw or non-native ligustrum in Austin
January 16, 2005 - I have a native tree in my yard, ca.15-20 feet tall, that has glossy, rounded dark leaves and small clusters of dark purplish berries. (It also has very weak limbs - perhaps grows too fast for its ow...
view the full question and answer
Plants for hanging baskets in Austin
October 06, 2009 - Can you suggest some plants for winter hanging baskets in the Austin, TX area?
view the full question and answer
Hardiness of non-native Lycium barbarum for Saschatewan
December 19, 2005 - Lycium barbarnum.
What is its hardiness and where can it be grown?
view the full question and answer
Non-native, invasive Tree of Heaven in Central Texas?
April 07, 2011 - Has Ailanthus altissima been reported in Central Texas? I think we have found a few growing right here in Austin amongst a stand of cedars at a residential property off of 1826 (near where 1826 hits ...
view the full question and answer
Care of non-native house plant
December 09, 2007 - Please let me know how to keep a dieffenbachia plant healthy and growing. I notice some leaves turn yellow. I water them once a week and keep it on the windowsill with some sunlight. Should I be do...
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. |