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.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| topic | question | |
| Plant ID for that looks like lemon verbena May 03, 2014 I have a weed that looks a bit like Lemon Verbena with tiny purple flowers sprouting again this spring in my pasture. It seems to like sandy, acidy sunny areas and smells nice when you even brush up ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant ID by pictures from Boise ID May 01, 2014 DEAR WILDFLOWER CENTER, TOOK SOME PICTURES A WEEK AGO--THE BOISE BOTANICAL GARDEN IDENTIFIED THE HENBIT BUT COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE REDDISH CYLINDRICAL FLOWERS IN PHOTO #4--CAN YOU HELP? YOU CAN FIND... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Identification from Honolulu HI April 24, 2014 We have a ground cover in our Honolulu garden that I have been told is Watermelon Plant. (Not the fruit). We would like more, but cannot find it or the proper name for it. Aprox. 6" round leaf. It... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID from Cocoa FL April 18, 2014 I am trying to identify a plant that looks like a rose bush. It has rose-like thorns. The leaves are green, slender, acute at the tip, slightly unequal at the base and the leaf stem grows closer to ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of shrub with white flowers in Arkansas April 09, 2014 I have about 15 flowering shrubs that just started blooming in a cut-over. They are about 6/7 feet tall and have an entire crown of white blooms that resemble a cross between a Dandelion and a Marigol... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine with wine-colored flowers in Washington County, TX April 04, 2014 I'm trying to identify a deep purple wine colored flowering vine in Washington County, Texas. It looks very similar to Texas wisteria, but it is something else. I've seen them growing in vineyards... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification from Parkersburg WV March 24, 2014 My wife found this flower on March 22nd, growing on a hillside partly shaded a few yards from our home. No one we have spoken to has ever seen it before,and we would love to identify it. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification February 20, 2014 I'm not sure of county of origin. It was given to me by someone I no longer have contact with. When I initially received it I thought it was just a small potted vine of some type. I've had it a yea... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of shrub with red berries in Tennessee January 24, 2014 Hello, I've got a shrub in my backyard; it has leaves off in groups of 3 and it has multiple reddish berries in groups by the dozens. I'm not sure what plant it is. The shrub is stick-like and appr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-native eleagnus from Jesup GA January 17, 2014 An elderly farmer has told me about a plant called Alley Agnes, but I can't find any plant by this name anywhere. He doesn't know another name for it, says it's what everyone has always called it i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of bamboo-like plant in California January 10, 2014 We just bought a house in Cambria, CA. The plant I'd like to ID grows like bamboo -- spreading fibrous stalks abt 6' high with beautiful orange blossoms that protrude out the top of the stalk. The... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a vine with 3 leaves and a red trunk January 02, 2014 What is a vine with 3 leaves that has a red trunk? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of lily in Florida Savannas Preserve State Park December 19, 2013 I found a lily blooming in the Savannas Preserve State Park in Martin County Florida. It is similar to a Michaux lily but doesn't have apparent spots. The foliage is also different from photos I ha... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of mystery plant in non-native commercial forage mix December 17, 2013 Dear Smart One, I use a commercially prepared, fortified, chopped forage based on a mix of orchard and Timothy grasses. The bags are shipped in from out of State. However, I have been finding short s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of invasive vine in The Woodlands, Texas December 02, 2013 What is the invasive vine covering trees in The Woodlands, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants of Texas Coastal Bend beaches November 27, 2013 What plants are native to the Texas Coastal Bend beaches? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Sumac Leaves Turning Red November 22, 2013 Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants, I recently planted a flowering sumac bush. Is it normal for that plant to get fall leaf-color? About a week after planting it, the temp reached the mid-30s, and after that, I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of small dome-shaped furry plant, smells like bubblegum November 21, 2013 Hi, I always see this plant when I'm on the river trail in Redding CA. and I can't find it anywhere on the internet. The plant is very small, I think it is some type of weeds that grow. It's a ligh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification in Mojave Desert November 20, 2013 I need help in identifying a shrub like plant that I found in SW Utah near Beaver Dam, UT (Which is near the Arizona/Nevada border). It is approximately 12 inches in height with profuse stems origina... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Which one is huajillo and which one is guajillo? November 19, 2013 Recently I attended a field trip to the Leonard Garden at the Kleberg Institute in Kingsville. I took a picture of a tree that was referred to as Tenaza or huajillo. Later I took another photo of a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification November 15, 2013 I need help identifying a flower/plant. It has a long stem with a Flower at the top and small 2" green things that look like small bananas at the bottom.( But not Bananas) I open one up and it had s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a vine in Tennessee November 08, 2013 I am trying to identify a vine growing on the ground under what looks to be a holly bush. I have pictures of it if there is an email I can send them to? Thank You!!!! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grapevine at the Wildflower Center November 05, 2013 Hello :) I recently visited the Lady Bird Wildflower Center for Goblins in the Garden. I'm curious if you all know exactly what type of grape is growing in the back of the garden near the "Heali... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification October 31, 2013 I have a plant that is about 6ft high, single stem or 2 or 3 together. from this stem are leaves, alternate and large, about 5-6 inches long, they are about 2.5" wide, irregular edges from the middle... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pictures to Mr. Smarty Plants from Bay Point CA October 17, 2013 Is there any way to send you a picture of my Mulberry tree, the Jade and the Spider Plants that are growing in my back yard so you can see what I'm talking about. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifying native sedges October 14, 2013 What's the best way to identify a specific sedge ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of oak trees in Pennsylvania October 14, 2013 I am an avid hunter in PA. I found these nuts and was wondering what kind they are. There is a red oak beside this tree, and I know what a white oak is but this tree and it's nuts look to be from a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification in Norman, OK October 10, 2013 I have two large plants in my back yard that just sprang up on their own this year. They are beautiful and the butterflies and bees love them. I think they are a type of milkweed, but they don't lo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Identification in Houston, TX October 10, 2013 This plant to a bout a foot high. It almost looks like a weed and has a 2 in. furry top at the end. Also they were all gathered in a clump randomly around each other. What is this ? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of thorny shrub in Tennessee October 03, 2013 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... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of vine in New York September 30, 2013 Hey there. I've recently found a "Wild Cucumber" vine in my backyard, which has been taking over our electric fence. Now I've stumbled across another very similar vine. They fruits are clustere... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of shrubs in Austin neighborhood September 30, 2013 I have run across two beautiful bushes in our neighborhood. They have flowering branches that daisy-chain out like a fountain. No one can tell me what they are. They are located in front and on the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wild cranberries in Pennsylvania September 27, 2013 Where are wild cranberries located in northwest PA, near Brookville? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| New thorn/bush tree in Central Texas September 23, 2013 In Central Texas, over the last 5 years we have seen a new variety of thorn bush appear. It has very long thorns much like mesquite tree but thorns are every inch or so along the branches. The tree is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant growing with purchased plant September 23, 2013 I purchased a heurchera and there was another plant that was growing in the pot with it. I planted both together in my garden. The "other" plant is growing and none of the gardeners around here has ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of shrub growing wild in Austin Texas area September 23, 2013 Hi! I need help identifying a bush growing wild in my area. I have pictures of leaves fruit and bark. I cant find a good place to post these in order to ID plant. I'm in Austin TX area. Thank... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification September 10, 2013 I love around Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and I saw a strange plant. It has a soft green outer shell, a harder thinner shell inside, points, but aren't pointy, and a white substance out of the stem when... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID from Brick, New Jersey September 07, 2013 I live in Brick, New Jersey. I planted some wildflower seed from an assorted packet. There is a very tall, thick center stem with orange flowers. I'd like to send photo but don't know how. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What are the differences between Arbutus xalapensis, A. unedo and A. marina August 29, 2013 One nursery lists madrone trees as arbutus uneda compacta and arbutus marina. The other lists it as arbutus xalapensis, which is the only name I can find in the data base. There is a very large pric... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of plant with thorns in Maryland August 27, 2013 I live in Maryland and was walking in the woods one day when I accidentally stumbled in to a thorn bush. I don't remember what color the thorns where or very much about the plant in general but I do ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification August 25, 2013 Found a plant with tiny, white, fragrant flowers on spires by a lake near Fredericksburg, TX. Could you possibly identify it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of purple-leafed plant in formal garden in Quebec City August 23, 2013 I saw a plant in a formal garden in Quebec City that was low growing with purple leaves and clusters of deep purple pods/seeds about the size of grapes. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID of invasive vine from Austin August 21, 2013 A friend lives in southwest Austin and has a vine that's coming up all over her yard. I am a Williamson County Master Gardener and have asked all the garden gurus in my group what it is from a photo ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How does Styrax youngiae differ from other Texas Styrax species? August 18, 2013 How does the Styrax youngae differ from other Texas styrax? Where can I find a description of all the Texas styrax trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| What is a Demaree Rose? August 14, 2013 Have been told the Apache Plume is the Wild Rose after which the Wild Rose Pass north of Ft. Davis was named. However, other research indicates it was the Demaree Rose. What is true and are there ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of tree bought from a magazine ad August 11, 2013 I recently submitted the following question to Ask An Expert. They were unable to identify the plant. I hope you will be able to. Can you help me by either identifying this plant or advising me a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of vine growing in Kentucky. August 11, 2013 I have a vine I can't identify. The leaf is heart shaped and the vine is fuzzy. The blooms is just now starting to bloom. They are small red and some white in it. The bloom sort of remind you of a c... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification from Pearland TX August 10, 2013 I am looking for a native plant; was told it was called Hummingbird Weed. Came from Coryell County. I let mine freeze and cannot find more. It has long spikes with small red trumpet-shaped blooms on ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery berries on vine in Montgomery County, TX August 09, 2013 While out in the woods today on Caney Creek near Grangerland, Texas, I found what I thought to be some grapes on a vine hanging down from a tree. I brought the vine down, but when I got it home to pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Cinnamon scented plant growing along Pennsylvania rivers August 05, 2013 I've walked along both the Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers around my hometown and I've noticed moments at which time I would smell the strong, sweet aroma of cinnamon. Given the riverside envir... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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