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
Saturday - January 14, 2012
From: London, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification, Shrubs
Title: Identification of shrub with red berries in Kentucky
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in Laurel CO, KY. I am trying to identify a shrub/tree. The leaves are green and may turn reddish orange. There are huge pods of red berries hanging.ANSWER:
If your shrub/tree is native to North America, you might be able to find it in our Native Plant Database by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH and choosing "Kentucky" from Select State or Province and "Shrub" from Habit (general appearance). You can also do the same search but substitute "Tree" for "Shrub" in your search. Not all of the species that come up in the list will have photos of the fruit of the shrub or tree. You can, however, scroll down to near the bottom of the species page and, under ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, choose Google. On the Google page, choose Images from the menu at the top and you might find photos of the shrub or tree with its fruit.
You should try the searches above in case I missed something, but here are some possibilities that I found doing the searches described above:
Amelanchier arborea (Common serviceberry) and here are photos of the fruit and fall leaves.
Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington hawthorn) and here are fall leaves.
Crataegus spathulata (Littlehip hawthorn) and here are photos of the fruit.
Photinia pyrifolia (Red chokeberry)
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac)
Rhus copallinum (Winged sumac)
Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa (Red elderberry)
Viburnum opulus var. americanum (American cranberry bush) and here are photos of fall leaves.
Crataegus dilatata (Broadleaf hawthorn) and here are photos of the plant.
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
If you suspect it is a cultivated landscape shrub or tree rather than a native one and you have (or can take) photos of it, your best bet is to visit our Plant Identification page where you will find links to plant identification forums that will accept photos for identification
More Shrubs Questions
Non-native Sago Palm from Bulverde TX
June 12, 2012 - My husband's job has taken him out of state and he left me in charge of his 27 year old sago palms, (house plants, sort of bonsai). They waited until he left and then quite perversely sprouted 3 foo...
view the full question and answer
Removing Texas cedar Juniperus ashei from Blanco River banks
February 26, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Should cedar trees be removed from our Blanco River banks to prevent them from sucking too much of our precious water before it makes it into the river system?
If so, what s...
view the full question and answer
Garden instructions from Austin
June 12, 2013 - I'm a beginning gardener putting in some new landscaping in my front yard in north central Austin, TX. The yard faces almost due east, so it gets full sun until early afternoon, when the house's sha...
view the full question and answer
Combining native shrubs for hedge in Austin
April 15, 2009 - Smarty,
Please tell me what the definitions are for all the various water, soil moisture, drainage and light requirements mean. Are the definitions global? I live in Central East Austin and inten...
view the full question and answer
Plants to prevent erosion on slope in Texas
June 19, 2010 - We have an erosion problem developing on the low side of a gently sloping hill. We are in clay soil at the base of the hill with oaks and pines. We have a right of way that is without trees forty fee...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |