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
Thursday - October 03, 2013
From: Cosby, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification, Shrubs
Title: Plant identification of thorny shrub in Tennessee
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a mid to dark green thorny type bush growing on my land in Cosby, Tennessee. I am originaly from NJ and I have never seen it before. The stalk is varigated and the thorns are plentiful and very large. Thank you in advance for your help.ANSWER:
This sound a bit like Poncirus trifoliata (Trifoliate orange), an Asian native that is considered invasive. It does have formidable long thorns on it.
There are several hawthorns that are native to Tennessee. Here are four of them:
Crataegus flava (Summer hawthorn) Here are photos and more information from Plants for a Future.
Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington hawthorn)
Crataegus spathulata (Littlehip hawthorn)
Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur hawthorn)
Here is a list of all 39 of the Crataegus species on our database. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to see the 14 that grow in Tennessee.
Ribes cynosbati (Eastern prickly gooseberry)
Smilax rotundifolia (Roundleaf greenbrier) Here are photos from Vanderbilt University.
Smilax tamnoides (Bristly greenbrier) Here are photos from DiscoverLife.org.
Zanthoxylum americanum (Common pricklyash) Here are more photos from Iowa State University.
Aralia spinosa (Devil's walkingstick)
Maclura pomifera (Osage orange)
There are several species of roses (Rosa sp.) and blackberrie/raspberries (Rubus sp.)
If none of these appears to be the thorny shrub that you have seen, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Identification of tree or shrub in Massachusetts
May 16, 2013 - Good morning,
We are in Zone 5 and have a tree/shrub I cannot identify in the backyard of our new home. Tall (6')and growing, green stems,and when the stems are broken the branches smell of lemon o...
view the full question and answer
Shrubs with sparse leaves and flowers for creek in Idaho
September 01, 2009 - I am looking for several shrubs that have spindly limbs and sparse leaves with flowers. The idea is to place them in front of windows or other views to add a lacey/veiled effect for the observer. I li...
view the full question and answer
Yellowing of leaves in Texas Mountain Laurel from Austin
June 25, 2012 - I planted a Texas Mountain Laurel in my Austin, TX yard this January. The tree was good sized (about 5 feet tall) when I planted it.
Recently the leaves of the tree have started to turn yellow alon...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting native flame leaf sumac in Eden, TX
October 26, 2008 - We have tried without success to transplant a flame leaf sumac from the ranch to the house. What are we doing wrong?
view the full question and answer
Will hybrid Tecoma stans attract hummingbirds from Glendale AZ
July 07, 2012 - We bought a bells of fire plant; would like to know if hummingbirds like them?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |