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 identification September 01, 2011 I have a single stalked plant that has leaves with 5 lobes. Each lobe is also lobed. The leaves are dark green, staggered on the stalk opposite each other. Do you have any ideas what this is? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Identification August 29, 2011 Hi- I am currently am AP Biology student and have two plants left to identify that I found at a lily pool in Chicago. Can you help me identify them? One I believe is a fern, the other a flower. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of plant with red berries toxic to dogs August 29, 2011 I recently retrieved my poor doggy from the Vet. He had eaten a berry from an invasive-commonly seen brushy plant growing along my neighbors fence line. We try to keep our side clear-but the small lar... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Origin of sticky, smelly substance on dog in Southern California August 27, 2011 I just took my dog out (mid August) in Aguanga, CA (high desert) and, after coming back in, noted that his feet and legs were covered in a very sticky substance that STINKS - there is some kind of pla... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification August 26, 2011 I have found a small tree like plant that is small and the stem or trunk was thin and the leaves look like fern leaves. I also found a larger one it was thicker and closer to the ground the leaves wer... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Safe distance from foundation for Sycamore from Preston UK August 24, 2011 What would be the safe distance to have a sycamore tree near your house so it doesn't affect the foundations? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification August 24, 2011 I have searched through all the plant identifications and can not find the one I am looking for. I live 6o miles South of Rochester, NY. In my woods, I found 2 plants, that are no where else in the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Average lifespan of Pinchot's Juniper from Golden CO August 23, 2011 What is the average lifespan of Juniperus coahuilensis (syn. Juniperus texensis) trees? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification August 22, 2011 I have a rather large berry growing on a tree-like bush in my back yard here in Williamsville Vermont, I've never seen anything like it! I have a picture. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant in Las Vegas with fern-like foliage and yellow/orange/red flowers August 21, 2011 We were in North Las Vegas and saw a beautiful plant, I would love to find it. It had a fern like foliage at the bottom with long thin stems and a flower clump at the top with yellow/orange/red flower... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of daisy-like wildflower in New Mexico August 19, 2011 I recently visited Angel Fire, NM and I cannot identify the daisy-like wildflower that was growing there. August seemed to be the favorite time for this flower. I asked the local nursery and they th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native North American bulbs August 19, 2011 I saw your list of 4 lilies native to the Northeastern United States, which was very helpful. What other bulbs are native to North America? Although I garden in Connecticut, I am interested in learn... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of tree on Kent State University in Ohio August 09, 2011 Hello. I am fond of a very large (wide) tree on a university campus in Ohio. I have tried many plant ID search engines to try to figure out what it is. It is at least 12 feet tall and at least that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identifying tiny plant from Philadelphia PA August 07, 2011 I would like help identifying a tiny plant. I tried using using the plant identification page, but I don't know enough about this plant and plant terminology to use it. I would like to send you som... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Want to know the name of a string looking moss in OR. August 02, 2011 I want to know the name of a string looking moss or Licha that grows on pine trees? Thought was old mans whiskers, but this search brings up a flower; not what I am looking for. I found some in Glacie... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of 3-leaf plant with red berries in Utah July 27, 2011 I would like to send you a picture to ID a 3 leaf plant with red berries. Could you give me an email to do that? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of chenille-like plant in Florida July 27, 2011 I live in Central Florida. I have a small, 8-10 inch plant that grows wild in the yard and has a 1 to 1-1/2 inch, bright red, feathery flower on it. I can't seem to find it on the internet and I'm ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Name for paloverde look-alike near Colorado Springs July 26, 2011 I don't know where this plant comes from. However, I am wondering what the name of plant of the following description would be. It is a shrub, about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It grows in zone 6 t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of Sagittaria-like plant with purple flowers July 21, 2011 I have collected a wetland plant that I can't seem to identify. Its an emergent plant collected along with a species of sagittaria. Very similar in leaf structure to an sagittaria or alisima, but i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery shrub in Michigan July 18, 2011 I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan and noticed a shrub in the woods that has large clusters of small red, what I would call berries on it. Can you give me some n... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification July 14, 2011 What is the common purple flower found in fields that has a yellow flattened oval berry like pod after blooming? Leaves are grayish green. I am thinking in the nightshade family? It is a bane to a pas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of shrub with purple flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada July 13, 2011 Large purple flower shrub, flowers are on long stems. Round flowers with green leaves on the stalks, used as front yard landscaping in a new house in Las Vegas NV. Very drought tolerant, shrub grows ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mystery Ground Cover in WI July 11, 2011 I am trying to identify a ground cover plant that has started growing in my yard (I'm in central Wisconsin). It is very short, only about 1-2 inches tall and is very thick covering the ground. It h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for Florida July 10, 2011 I am looking for the name of a plant that has long stalks and wispy long leaves with large round purple flowers on the end. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a low raspberry-like plant in New Brunswick July 09, 2011 I am searching for a plant I found last year while walking in the woods in early summer. It was a low plant, much like a raspberry, but not on thorny growth and close to the ground. Seems to be on new... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Difference between Erigeron strigosus and E. annuus July 07, 2011 How can you tell the difference between Erigeron strigosus or Erigeron annuus. Does one have more flowers on it than the other? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery tree in Ontario July 06, 2011 I found a tree (similar to an apple tree in blossom) in a shaded area by a stream on our property. I have never seen anything like it. It is again, like an apple branch with the blossoms, however, t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a vine with purple flowers July 06, 2011 I'm trying to identify a vine-like plant growing in my yard to determine if it is a weed or should be kept around. It has small purple flowers with a small yellow center, looking like a mini honeysuc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of vine in Louisiana July 06, 2011 I have two vines in my backyard. I've looked at pictures of each and they both keep coming up "virginia creeper." However, both are different. Neither causes an allergic reaction. One has leaflets ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of shrub with thorns and purple flowers July 05, 2011 I have a small tree or shrub, it has very small or thin thorns on the branches. It blooms in April / May. The flowers are purple. My mother-in-law said that it has been around for over 100 years, b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for Montana June 30, 2011 I am in forestry and work by Flathead Lake MT. I came across a wildflower and cannot I.D. it. Two come close..the Low Larkspur and Mountain Bog Gentian. It is blue/purple, 5 rounded petals, leaves are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification June 29, 2011 I live in east Austin Texas, close to Manor. I was pulling a particular "weed" out of the cracks of my driveway on 06-12-11. This weed has always reminded me of moss rose, but the flowers are not as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smoketree not flowering in Beverly Hills CA June 29, 2011 Why is my Smoke tree not flowering? It is big and the leaves are beautiful but no blooms. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Learning to identify native plants in backyard June 28, 2011 Please let me know how a layman like myself can identify native plants in my backyard. I don't know the plant names and don't know if they are dicots or any other technical terms (that some websites... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 27, 2011 I have a plant my Dad had found years ago. Last of April a stem with bulb shaped bottom. May 6-stem opened and folded back exposing spotted inside of leaf. Bottom had yellow pollen? and green stem 2+ ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 25, 2011 I see a previous question from Ohio on this plant, so I will copy the description and try to submit photos. "A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of a trillium in New Jersey June 23, 2011 I have several Trillium grown from one seed source. The plant looks like Trillium cuneatum, but unlike that plant, the stems of these plants -- which seed freely in my Northwest New Jersey garden -- l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Identification June 23, 2011 I live in Alaska and have TEENY cute 5 petaled white flowers growing on my lawn. They are very short, maybe 2 inches in height. The flower is about 1/2 inch wide. They look like a perfect tiny daisy. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More information about Trillium in New Jersey June 23, 2011 Hi, Nan. FYI. The Trillium seeds in question came from the State of Alabama. If you have an interest in seeing photos of this Trillium and two others in my garden, which are different and which I be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers that grow in woodlands June 22, 2011 Please tell me the names of wildflowers that grow under your oak trees in Texas. I am only familiar with those open meadow plants, not those that live under the deciduous trees. Thank you for your t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 19, 2011 I am trying to identify a flowering plant I saw today in Houston. Its leaves are green and it produces beautiful flowers with 4 petals that kind of remind me of a pinwheel. The petals are about 2 inch... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 18, 2011 Hello- I would like to know what is this plant? It grows in part to full sun over a large area; gray fuzzy, quilted, pointed leaves. It is now about 6-10" tall plants but there are untrimmed 24-3... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of Indian Cane June 18, 2011 I live in southern Alabama. We have a plant that is wild but I can not find any info on it. My grandmother called it Indian Cane. The stems are red and you can chew them, they have a sour taste View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 17, 2011 I have an area of some plants growing wild in woods behind my house. It will creep onto adjoining plants and has a delicate lavender colored flower that is curled up similar to a sweetpea, has a very ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 17, 2011 There is a sweet pea like vine that grows along the road in NC. IT is pink and looks much like a sweet pea. What is it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 16, 2011 I have a photo of a shrubby plant with large spines. Is there a way for me to attach it? I'm having trouble identifying it. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for Westcave Preserve June 16, 2011 Green greetings! In the canyon at Westcave Preserve last month, I saw a plant I don't know: low, broadish leaves (with rounded edges as I recall); very tall, delicate stems with tiny white flowers sp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 15, 2011 I have a plant similar to sheepshire. It has red leaves and yellow blooms exactly like the green variety. We brought it here to Oklahoma from Wyoming. I would like to know what it's called and where ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification in Parker County, Texas June 14, 2011 Hi. Growing alongside a country road, here in Parker County I photographed what I thought might be cardinal flowers. However, in searching books and on the net, I cannot find any quite like these. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 11, 2011 This plant will grow 12-15 feet or more in height in the rural areas of Ellis County south of Dallas. In a fractal manner, stems grow out of the stalk and then from the stems. The leaves are green, th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |