Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - January 02, 2012

From: Victorville, CA
Region: California
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification
Title: Identification of stem from a bouquet
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a stem with leaves that came in a bouquet May 2011. They are still healthy in a vase of water tho they have no roots, just stem. On the back center of each leaf are protrusions half an inch long that do not look like roots. They are sticking right out of the back of the leaves. Can you help identify this plant? Thanks.

ANSWER:

Plants included in bouquets are very rarely native plants.   Our focus and expertise at the Lady Bird Johnson Center are with plants native to North America so we aren't who you should be asking about non-natives.   Additionally, descriptions alone usually don't give enough informationto identify a plant.  However, if you will go to our Plant Identification page you will find links to several plant identification forums that accept photos for identification.   Perhaps, if you send them photos, one of them will be able to identify your plant.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Non-native, invasive King Ranch bluestem and Coastal bermuda for horses
April 02, 2008 - Is blue stem grass mixed with coastal good for horses?
view the full question and answer

Will roots of non-native Bottlebrush damage foundation in Weslaco TX
April 02, 2011 - I have a bottle Brush tree planted 2 feet from a brick wall. The condo board told me to remove it for fear that it may crack the foundation of the wall. I don't want to remove it. I believe they are ...
view the full question and answer

Oak trees shedding leaves in Denton TX
May 27, 2012 - In Denton, TX we have two mature Quercus buckleyi. It is May 11th 2012 and one of these trees has been shedding green leaves for the last week. The only changes we have made are: planted English ivy...
view the full question and answer

About African Violets
April 26, 2007 - I have an African Violet. i clipped a leaf off and rooted it and i have a baby pink-leafed African Violet now, not pink flowers, pink leaves. It struck me as odd. i never saw one like this before. i...
view the full question and answer

Plants not native to North America in Hawaii
February 18, 2009 - Do not know if you have any experience for Hawaii but here it goes. I live on Maui and have some coco palms, a line of 12, two of them right next to each other (15-20 ft). They are a decent shade of ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.