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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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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Identification of Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) in Atlanta May 28, 2006 I live in metro Atlanta. I have a rose variety growing wild in the woods that resembles a Cherokee Rose except it is pink and has seven leaves on the stem. Can you identify it from this description? T... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Natural location of Ceanothus impressus in California May 21, 2006 Where is Ceanothus impressus 'victoria' native? I need as specific as you can. Thanks much. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Locating Rosa rugosa for Massachusetts May 09, 2006 There is a shrub that grows out on the Cape especially at the beach. I have always called it Beach Rose and I have heard other people call it a Beach Plum. However, the most recent picture of a Beac... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Difference between vetch and woolly loco April 29, 2006 What is the difference between vetch and woolly loco? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Differentiation between Amorpha roemeriana and A. fruticosa April 25, 2006 How do I differentiate Amorpha roemeriana and A. fruticosa? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Drummonds wild onion growing along creek in St. Edwards Park April 17, 2006 I live near St Edwards Park in Austin and was wondering what the name of the onion is that grows along the creek. Thanks View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) in Virginia April 15, 2006 Hi, I am very curious about a bulb growing wild plant in our back yard. We have recently moved to the Woodbridge, VA area. There is a stream running trough our property. The plant looks almost like la... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Assistance in photographing Turnera diffusa in Rio Grande Valley March 20, 2006 Do you know where I can photograph a specimen of Turnera diffusa Willd. ex J.A. Schultes var. aphrodisiaca? I'll be in Texas in May and it is on my list to try and locate. I understand it grows in ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of Beetleweed or Galax as February 28, 2006 My mother will soon celebrate her 100th birthday. For her 1st birthday her mother decorated her highchair with "smilox". I am trying to find out what plant this is. I have found "smilax" but it is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
State flower of Hawaii January 04, 2006 What color is the state flower of Hawaii? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Dfferences between Argemone arizonica and other Argemones October 27, 2005 I am trying to find information about the differences between the Argemone arizonica which grows only in the Grand Canyon and the other Argemones which grow in the rest of the U.S. Do you have any... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on forbs October 16, 2005 What kind of plant is a forb? I see the term used frequently in reference to grasses (I think), but I can't figure out exactly what a forb is. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Hesperaloe parviflora August 22, 2005 On your home website there is an orange flower that is tall and has tall leaves. is it a cactus? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on milkweed August 20, 2005 I am looking for a photo of the local milkweed in the state of North Carolina. The name would be a help also. I am raising butterflies and I am in dire need of plants. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on cross pollination August 16, 2005 I live in Cosby, TN in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I plant native species of wildflowers and shrubs. My question to you is: I planted cucumbers in raised beds next to t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Jimsonweed August 07, 2005 White flowers that are seen a lot along hwy 58 east towards Tehachapi; they look like "angel's trumpet" but not sure... they are big, white and have dark green leaves and cluster in a bush..any ideas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Americas national plant August 07, 2005 What is America's national plant? (please answer this a.s.a.p because i can't figure it out and it's for homework) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Hesperaloe parviflora August 02, 2005 On the home page of this website (right of center) there is a plant with the long stems and pink flowers and with green pods or seeds, also. Could you please tell me the name of this flower? We have ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Smoke Tree July 11, 2005 I live in Indianapolis Indiana and there is this wonderful tree on my street which has the most unusual flowers that I've ever seen. They look like pink and white fiber optics. Spencer gift stores us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Possible cinnamon-scented plants in Mississippi delta July 11, 2005 I used to live in Mississippi and now live in Illinois. I am trying to find what plant or tree has a strong cinnamon-like scent that fills the air. I noticed this scent driving through the delta in Mi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Plant Identification June 30, 2005 I have a plant that someone gave me and I don't have a clue what it is. I have a picture of it on my computer. If you can send me a email address where I can send the picture to you, that would be gre... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Parkinsonia aculeata June 11, 2005 What is the name of the tall shrub I see growing wild around Austin that is delicate, with thin stems and branches, and lacy, with multiple leaves, and yellow flowers? It looks lovely growing in a ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Jewel of the Nile June 04, 2005 My husband and I just returned from a short trip to San Francisco. While on a bus tour that took us to the Twin Peaks area, we saw some beautiful purple flowers growing on the hillside. Our tour guid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Resurrection Plant June 03, 2005 Hello, I have a plant that my grandmother gave to me. When she gave me the plant it was a dried bundle; but, as soon as she put in water, the plant opened up and came to life again. Then, we let it... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on Plant Identification April 25, 2005 We bought our house last October and there were beautiful pink flowers blooming along our sidewalk. They bloomed until past Thanksgiving. They resembled Azaleas but we don't know what they were. Th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Keys for identification of native plants in Ohio April 22, 2005 Do you know of any good web sites that provide keys for the identification of native plants? I'm conducting a wetland plant inventory in southwestern Ohio. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Differentiating between Spiraea betulifolia and Spiraea japonica April 12, 2005 How can I tell the difference between Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa (an imperiled species) and Spiraea japonica (an invasive species) in the wild? They both seem to be the same size, color, habi... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on epiphyllums March 25, 2005 I don't have a digital cameria, but I hope you can identify my plants easily by description. I believe they are called something similar to the word "epithelium". They look like a "mother-in-la... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Identification of colicroot and yellow colic-root March 23, 2005 There is a green flowering bush with yellow blooms off Taylor road in Dale, Texas (Caldwell County). What type of wildflower or weed is this? Could it possibly be Yellow Colic Root? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on wildflower identification September 23, 2004 Can you recommend a good CD-ROM on wildflower identification? I live in Virginia and am constantly frustrated trying to identify the myriad wildflowers I encounter as I move around the state. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Help with plant ID September 01, 2004 I found this plant alongside the road in a field in North Dallas. The dirt was fairly dry, and image is attached. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
How common is white blooming Mountain Laurel April 01, 2003 Is white blooming Mountain Laurel common? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Smarty Plants on epiphytes February 20, 2003 Can you identify the "air plants" that are hanging in the trees? They are grayish-green, and hang down like a necklace. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
Blue vervain native to Indiana January 06, 2003 I have a species I need to know if it is native to my area (southern Indiana) - Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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