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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| 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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