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.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Plant ID from Villa Hills KY April 21, 2013 Hello I have this plant but I don't know what it is. I want to know if it's edible or what it is. I think it's catnip. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Submitting photos to assist with an ID April 17, 2013 How do I submit images to assist with an ID? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of red/yellow/black flower in California April 15, 2013 Plant found, April Mount Diablo CA 6 symmetrical petals red with a pattern of a yellow flower with black edge in the centre, I can not identify, please help. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of fragrant, white-flowered bush in Arizona April 14, 2013 I'd like to identify a flowering bush which has white sweet-smelling flowers. It is growing in the Coconino National Forest in the area near the Airport vortex/Airport mesa in Sedona, Arizona. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of non-native Grape Hyacinth April 13, 2013 Mr Smarty Plants, can you tell me please, what is the name of the flower in the attached link? I see numerous references to it as blue bells or bluebells, but when I check the USDA Plants database, no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of plant that looks like green onions April 06, 2013 I have what looks like green onions growing in my lawn. They have small white flowers. Are they edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant at funeral that smells similar to honeysuckle April 04, 2013 What plant or flower smells similar to honeysuckle? I live in Ohio and I smelled some kind of flower or plant at a friends funeral last spring that smelled similar to honeysuckle. It was... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of Dalea plant April 03, 2013 While in Austin recently (I live in Dallas), I visited Jardinero on Cesar Chavez and purchased a shrub identified only as "Dalea". It is 3-4 feet tall, upright habit, typical tiny pea family foliag... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of tiny blue flower blooming in February March 18, 2013 There is a very small four petal flower that appears near the end of Winter. (This year they appeared in late Feb). These little flowers are a "Light Blueish" hue. They are around a quarter inch ac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of pale blue flower near Big Bend, TX March 14, 2013 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 Ca... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How to tell the difference between native and non-native thistles March 13, 2013 It's thistle time already. There are many plants in the aster family with thistle in their common name. Are "real" thistles only those in the genus Cirsium, or are there others as well? We are tryi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of bush with red berries March 11, 2013 bush? grows along fence lines in rural areas; sheds foliage in fall; berries appear; colors vary from red to orange, depending on soil? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant with seed heads like goat head February 17, 2013 Sir, I collected some bizarre seed heads from some rough weeds around a stock tank in SE New Mexico. They resemble goat heads, with two long curving horns. I have photos but couldn't figure out how ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification February 14, 2013 Please help identify a flower I saw growing in the woods in central Arkansas last week.It had a light yellow flower growing out of a very flat basal rosette made up of grey-green spade-shaped leaves. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of plant with red beans Catalina Mts., Arizona February 05, 2013 While hiking at the base of the Catalina Mts. near Tucson in Jan., I came across a plant, the pods of which were open, displaying a bright red bean. I took some of the beans to plant in my yard. I was... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine with large leaves and blue-black berries January 15, 2013 I visited a creek with a limestone seep spring that supplies it. Around the creek is growing some kind plant that has leaves that are very similar to a briar, or snailseed. However, the leaves of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of pink flower photographed at the Wildflower Center January 08, 2013 Last August I took a photo at the Wildflower Center and now I'm trying to identify it. The flower has many pink petals that either stick straight out or downward and the center has pink frills edging... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of vine with hair-like prickles January 04, 2013 Trying to find out what kind of vine I ran into yesterday while climbing a deer stand. While pushing limbs and vines down from around me, I noticed hair-like thorns stuck in my sleeves and hands. This... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of yellow fruit with many fingers December 24, 2012 This is a yellow lemon smelling fruit with many fingers. Yellow in color. Looks like an octopus. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dyes from native North American plants November 29, 2012 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been working as a textile designer for many years and am now interested in harvesting native North American plants in order to create natural dyes. Which plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a tree in Florida with bell-shaped red flowers November 23, 2012 A friend in Florida has asked about identification of a tree with a flower none of us have ever seen. It starts with a green pod, then flowers into, what looks to me like a Chinese lantern, or bell. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a vine in El Paso, Texas November 23, 2012 I live in Del Rio Texas - Zone 8/9 and I have a vine which can't be identified. It looks like a morning glory white flower with crimson throat, but the leaf pattern is like a 5-7 fingered hand with d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of milkweed vine with smooth seedpod November 23, 2012 I believe the vine I am curious about may be Matelea reticulata. However, most of the pictures I have seen of that vine show bumps on the exterior of the seed pod, and the pod I have is green and smo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating unwanted vine on arbor in San Francisco November 20, 2012 There is a vine growing on our arbor, it has sickle-shaped pods and is crushing the arbor, how do we get rid of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mystery tree with yellow fruit in MN November 12, 2012 There is a tree at my workplace, about 8' tall, with small, pea-sized yellow berries right now (Oct. 2012). The berries are attractive to Cedar Waxwings, and the tree has small leaves that are simple... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Texas wildflower guide with every flower listed November 09, 2012 Is there a Texas wildflower guide that contains every single flower that grows in the state? I have a few flowers on my land I haven't been able to identify because they aren't in the guide I have. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification November 08, 2012 I have visited this page and 18 more! I am still trying to find a plant that I found on a creek that runs through our land. I have pics. Great ones! Can I send the pic? If you like it, use it. I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant with dark black/purple berries in a cluster November 06, 2012 Today at our local dog park we noticed a bush/vine that's been growing up the fence is producing berries. It didn't flower at all. The berries look to have started out green and now are changing t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of yellow-flowered plant with stickers November 06, 2012 I have yellow flowered plant taking over my lawn. I used weed killers last year and it has spread this year and still spreading. It has small burs (not as hard as a regular sticker bur but will stic... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of grasses for grazing from La Luz NM November 05, 2012 I live in southern New Mexico. I have pictures of a few types of grass that I can't find anyone to help me identify with a name for livestock food. Can you help me with it? If so I can send the pi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of vine with green flowers November 03, 2012 What is this trailing plant with half inch green flowers with gold metallic centers? Looks like a milkweed plant or gourd plant of some kind. I found it off Hamilton Pool road. West of Austin TX View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of sunflower November 02, 2012 I am not able to find how to post a picture to help you identify a plant on our campus. I believe the plant I am trying to identify is a rough sunflower. (Helianthus hirsutus) We have zexmenia as ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of vines in Florida October 30, 2012 Hello, I have 2 different types of vines growing in my shrubs. They are very pretty and I like them I just want to know if they are poisonous or if they will take over my shrubs. I have not been able ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a tree at David Crockett Cabin Museum in Tennessee October 22, 2012 I was in Lawrenceburg TN and stopped by the David Crockett Cabin Museum. There was a tree and it dropped lemon sized balls on the ground. What kind of tree is it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a plant saprophytic on oaks October 04, 2012 What is name of plant poking up through the leaves near base of oak tree that appears as a cluster of yellow-brown stalks that resemble small pinecones or pineapples or cobs of corn? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of tree with pumpkin-like fruit in Florida October 02, 2012 Hello. I live in a small town called Molino FL. I was walking on the side of our road and found a tree with pumpkin type fruit on the limbs. I have been trying to figure this tree out for about 3 mont... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification September 25, 2012 I have a plant that was in a funeral arrangement. The plant has green leaves with darker green spots on it. I do not know what kind of plant it is, nor do I know how much light the plant needs on a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of red lily-like blossom in Austin, TX September 21, 2012 Rain at last in Austin! The rain lilies are up, but wait, what on earth is this? Lily like, 6 petals, but a cluster of 6 stalks w/blood red blooms slightly larger than our rain lilies - Off under a ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of plant with white flowers and serrated leaves in creek bed September 17, 2012 I have a wild fall blooming plant, white flowers, serrated leaves. Growing abundantly in my dry creek bed. Any thoughts? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant that smells like passion fruits at Westcave September 07, 2012 Green greetings! I saw a plant in the canyon at Westcave Preserve last weekend. They are small bushes with elliptic leaves. They are impressive because the leaves smell like passion fruits. Do you hav... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Visual difference between Strophostyles umbellata and S. helvola September 06, 2012 I know that Strophostyles umbellata is perennial and S. helvola is an annual, but can you tell me how to visibly distinquish between S. umbellata and S. helvola. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of tall plant with blooms similar to squash in Ohio September 05, 2012 Trying to identify a mystery plant. Have found nothing similar on the internet. Can I send a picture and if so, how? The plant is over 5 feet tall with many branches and has blooms similar to squas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant in Kentucky with fuzzy grayish-green leaves September 03, 2012 I would like to know about a plant that I do not know what it is. I had this plant just come up in my flowerbed, that looked like a tobacco plant but the leaves looked like a lambs ear plant. It was ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of a plant in Florida with red fruit like a small tomato September 03, 2012 It looks like a small tomato but it isn't. It has a bunch of flakey seeds on the inside, which are a light brown in color. The outside is red, and I think it starts out growing green and also white.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Talinum paniculatum native to Central Texas? September 02, 2012 I just bought a plant in Austin called Talinum paniculatum, Jewels of Opar. We are adamant about growing only local natives in the yard so it will have to be a potted plant unless you can verif... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of small tree in Florida August 31, 2012 I live in Port Saint Lucie, FL. We have a few trees (?) growing in our yard I would like to i.d. They seem to grow quickly have smooth leaves that grow opposite one another and the underside of the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification from Prairie Village KS August 25, 2012 My friend has identified this plant as a Horseweed. It is 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall. Has a thick, fuzzy single stem. Linear leaves, about 3/4 inch across and 3 or 4 inches long with one or two notches on e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant that smells like oranges in Alpine, TX August 16, 2012 There are patches of flat bushy like plants in lawn, smells like orange. Areas may be 10" and spreading, but when pulled has small root. How can I get rid of this plant and what is it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of purple flower with flowers similar to witch hazel August 16, 2012 Found along woods roads. Purple flower about 1 - 2 ft. in height. Central stem rises from a ground level leaf whorl of five leaves from 4 to 7 inches long and 2 to 3 inches at their widest point. C... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of a plant at UGA Trial Gardens 15 years ago August 14, 2012 Looking to identify a plant that was in UGA trial gardens about 15 years ago, large plant with purple flowers, fuzzy leaves like a lambs ear. Thought it started with a Thiobana or something like that View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |