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 | |
| Medicinal Yerba de la Negrita (Sphaeralcea coccinea) June 24, 2009 When I make my own batch of Yerba de la Negrita how long will it keep in the refrigerator? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tree that successfully treats psoriasis January 31, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty plants,I have a rather unusual question. Do you know of a tree/plant that you can grow in a container, looks like a conifer/evergreen, is green, has wispy looking branches, but when t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Occurrence and uses of Bottle Gentian in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Park December 30, 2008 In mid October of 2008 I was at the Gilliland Cemetery in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cosby, TN. I found several flowers blooming which completely surprised me due to the time of year. I... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Tilo (Justicia pectoralis), a tropical American plant December 03, 2008 Re: keelo plant (Seminole, Fl. herb used to treat stomachache-St. Pete), try Tilo: Justicia pectoralis View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal plants used on Hispanic ranches November 25, 2008 Have you ever heard of a plant, possibly native to Texas or Mexico, called Drago? Or another called Greta? In a book on South Texas ranches after 1850, these are listed as the Spanish names for two ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yucca plant for horse joint problems October 21, 2008 is the yucca plant the same as what the joint medication is made of to give to older horses for the joints, and if so, can a plant be nibbled on when it grows in the pasture? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Availability of ruda plants (Ruta graveolens) in Alabama September 10, 2008 I want to know is ruda plants available in alabama? If so where can I find it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Question about Allamanda cathartica July 29, 2008 how would i prove that allamanda cathartica is an antidote for anti-tetanus in a cheaper way? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Comptonia peregrina tea as topical treatment for poison ivy July 19, 2007 I have been told that Sweet Fern stewed into a tea is a great topical treatment for poision ivy. Is this true? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Herbalism and Native American EthnoBotany June 25, 2007 What plants cure diarrhea? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants good for repelling bugs in Austin, TX April 18, 2007 I need help on what type of plants or herbs are good for keeping bugs away from the house and also something that would be good for in the house for bugs? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possibility of native plants as natural mosquito repellants February 08, 2007 I live in Austin Texas and have what I would consider a mosquito infestation in my garden for most of the year. Are there native plants to this region that are proven to be naturally mosquito repella... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal purposes of the common pepper December 07, 2006 Hello. I am a student at North Harford High School in Harford County, Maryland. I am currently doing a project in environmental science which requires me to do an interview, or at least ask some que... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on medicinal plant uses by Dakota Indians November 29, 2006 I would like to know what the plants were that were used for medicinal purposes by the plains Indians in the Dakotas. Is there a place/site that I can go to to research the data? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Skin care uses of sunflower seed oil September 14, 2006 Just wondering what, if any, were the traditional uses of sunflower in skincare? I thought I read somewhere that the seeds were crushed up into an oil and used on the skin for sun protection? Is the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pictures and information on Scutellaris laterifolia, Blue Skullcap June 19, 2006 I am trying to find information on Scutellaria laterifolia (skullcap), of the plant family "labiatea". Do you have any info or pictures? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Information on herbs for Northeast Ohio May 03, 2006 Hello there, I am writing you seeking some information on Northeast Ohio's native plants. This has been rather difficult to find—specific native plants that can be used as herbs. If you could h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Possible medicinal uses of Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) April 13, 2006 I recently read an article about the healing properties of Spanish Moss. It mentioned reducing bad cholesterol in the human body. What exactly are the properties in this plant that are good for you, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Use of cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens) for tea February 20, 2006 Back in the 50's when I spent the summers with my grandmother south of Hondo, Texas, she use to pick leaves from the cenizo (purple sage) bushes, dry them and then brew them for tea. I asked one of m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Dumb question about prickly pear December 23, 2005 This is probably a really dumb question but I am interested in picking the prickly pear next year when it is in season, and was wondering the best way to get all of the little stickers off of the pear... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Odor and flavor of oils in Mints as insect repellants December 19, 2005 I am trying to find information on "How does mint plants repel insects" It's for my grand daughter's science project. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Medicinal uses of Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) August 28, 2005 What is the best way to extract the juice from the jewelweed plant? And, what can you do with it after that? I know it is considered a remedy for poison ivy and various other skin irritations. So then... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on women trying to conceive July 10, 2005 RE: Eucalyptus. Is this bad for women trying to conceive? The smell is very powerful. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |