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 | |
| Are the berries of Gun bumelia poisonous to dogs from Willow Park TX February 13, 2014 We have been told we have a Bumelia Lanuginosa (Chittamwood) tree in our yard. My dog has been eating the berries. (She has had stomach issues for several months and only recently found out she has ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are magnolia trees toxic for dogs? February 05, 2014 Del Mar, California- are magnolia trees, (their bark, roots, pods) toxic to small dogs? My Westie terriers are exhibiting lack of appetite and diarrea this late winter. Tonight I saw on our local n... 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 |  | |
| List of poisonous plants for Bexar County, Texas January 14, 2014 I need to know local poisonous plants in Bexar County San Antonio. Please respond soon I'm trying to get Tenderfoot tonight and am doing my board of review. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for fence, safe for horses in California December 12, 2013 I live in a fire prone part of Orange County, CA named Silverado and own horses. Am interested in fast growing vines to cover a fenced area which are horse safe. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs not toxic to cattle in NJ December 09, 2013 I am working to rejuvenate the hedgerows on a farm in New Jersey by removing invasive plants and planting native shrubs. How do I find out which native shrubs are toxic to cattle and should not be pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Are bald cypress cones toxic to dogs? October 27, 2013 Are bald cypress tree seed pods poisonous? to dogs? We just got a rescue dog and we go out in the yard with her. But now that we are into fall and the pods are falling. She goes right to them. Are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants Toxic to Horses October 26, 2013 I want to put planters on the front of my horse barn, which is also in the front field, so the horses could eat what is in it if they want to. I am looking to put a miniature pine tree in the planter.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Remedy for sore finger scratched by an Agave plant October 18, 2013 I scratched my ring finger on a Agave plant this afternoon. It did bring blood to the surface and i washed it off. Where the scratch is, is very tender and it is swollen and tingles. Any suggestions f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flying insects eating leaves of non-native Brugmansia in Aline CA October 17, 2013 I have an Angel Trumpet tree. We live in Aline, California 30 miles east of San Diego. Little yellow and black flying bugs eat the leaves. Do you have a remedy for this problem. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |