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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - March 14, 2013
From: Terlingua, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Identification of pale blue flower near Big Bend, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have looked almost everywhere in order to ID this bloom with no luck. Some blooms do arrive close but not quite. I live just outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. On a hike into Dog Canyon we encountered a light blue bloom. One bloom per thin grassy stalk. The closest resemblance of the bloom is of Phlox. However, bloom is a very baby blue. The pistil and stamen stand upright prominently in the center of the flower. Bloom has five petals and is also cupped and each petal comes to a subtle point. There is no separation or space between the petals but overlap the one next to it. I have a photo if there was a way I could send it. Soil is sandy next to a dry wash. Bloom was in November.ANSWER:
Here are some possibilities for your plant. All of the suggested plants below have been recorded in or near Big Bend National Park. Some are only vaguely similar to your description but I thought I should offer you some choices. I hope that one of them is the plant you saw. If not, please visit our Plant Identification page for links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
Giliastrum insigne (Marked gilia) Here are more photos from Polyploid.net taken on Dog Canyon Trail in Big Bend National Park.
Giliastrum incisum (Split-leaf gilia) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network.
Giliastrum acerosum (Bluebowls) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network.
Nemastylis tenuis (Southwestern pleatleaf) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network and from Arizona Biodiversity Image Gallery.
Linum lewisii var. lewisii (Blue flax) Here are more photos from California Academy of Sciences.
Bouchea linifolia (Flaxleaf bouchea) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network.
Bonamia ovalifolia (Bigpod lady's nightcap) Here are photos from Angelo State University and from Houston Advanced Research Center Gulf Coast Portal.
Omphalodes aliena (Mexican navelwort) Here are photos from the TAMU Repository of Vascular Plant Photos.
Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia) Here are more photos from University of Texas School of Biological Sciences' Archive of Central Texas Plants.
Sisyrinchium demissum (Stiff blue-eyed grass) Here are more photos from Western New Mexico University and Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers.
Solanum triquetrum (Texas nightshade) Here are more photos from University of Texas School of Biological Sciences' Archive of Central Texas Plants.
Below are photos from our Image Gallery of some of the plants above.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Container plants for Arlington TX
February 10, 2012 - Mr. Smarty Plants, I just moved to Arlington, TX. I am trying to create a container garden on my apartment balcony. What flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit combinations can I put together that wil...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho
July 08, 2010 - What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant?
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification from Decatur GA
June 14, 2012 - Hi: In early May 2012 we visited the Center--fantastic. There was a large shrub/tree with yellow blooms near a silo. Is it Retama? Also there was a lot of a purple blooming plant in with the conef...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for Brooklyn, NY
January 25, 2013 - Hi Mr Smarty Plants,
I'm looking for a fast growing ground cover for my Brooklyn, NY back yard. The area is nestled between 3 buildings and a fairly large tree, so most of the day its shady, but ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Laredo Texas
July 04, 2011 - I am in Laredo, TX and no longer want to waste water on grass. I would like to pull it all out and plant native, drought resistant ground cover - low growing, between 6-12 inches, sun and partial sha...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |