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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 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!

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Friday - July 22, 2011

From: Waco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I am looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco,Texas. Back in the 1950s, it was in the Waco paper but I can't find it. My Grandfather's name was Robert W. Goss of Waco, and he had his picture taken with that stalk. Thank you for your help

ANSWER:

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.

 

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