Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
2 ratings

Monday - December 02, 2013

From: The Woodlands, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Plant Identification, Vines
Title: Identity of invasive vine in The Woodlands, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What is the invasive vine covering trees in The Woodlands, Texas?

ANSWER:

There are several possibilities.  You can search the Texas Invasives database and find the invasive vines that have been reported as invasive in Texas or potentially invasive in Texas.  Choose "Vine" from the All Habits slot in the "SEARCH BY DURATION OR HABIT' box.

Here are the ones that I found that are high-climbing and likely to cover trees.  The vines below have been identified in Montgomery County or in nearby Harris County. 

Cuscuta japonica (Japanese dodder)  The Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) shows it occurring in adjacent Harris County.   Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

Discorea bulbifera (Air potato)  The EDDMapS shows it occurring in Montgomery County.  Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

Hedera helix (English ivy)  The EDDMapS shows it occurring in Montgomery County.  Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle)  The EDDMapS shows it occurring in Montgomery County.  Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

Macfadyena unguis-cati (Catclaw-vine)  The EDDMapS shows it occurring in adjacent Harris County.  Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

Paederia foetida (Skunk vine)  The EDDMapS shows it occurring in adjacent Harris County.  Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

Pueraria montana var. lobata (Kudzu)  The EDDMapS shows it occurring in Montgomery County.  Click on Texas on the map and it will display the counties.

At the bottom of each species page there are links under SEARCH ONLINE to more information and photos of the plants.

 

More Plant Identification Questions

Dodder, rootless, leafless, parisitic twining plants
May 29, 2006 - Hello, I have been studying wildflowers in California for many years. Yesterday I came across a surprise and I am thus far unable to identify it. As it is raining today, I cannot get a photo, but I...
view the full question and answer

Mystery dill-type weed
September 01, 2008 - My daughter has a weed growing in her flower bed that look very simular to dill weed, but thicker. If you pinch it, it has a sticky milky substance come out. Can you tell me what this plant may be? ...
view the full question and answer

Identification of tree with outrageous thorns
August 10, 2014 - Can you identify this tree? It has these outrageous thorns on its trunk. They are in clusters and are anywhere from 1" long to 4" long or so.
view the full question and answer

Plant identification
March 15, 2011 - I don't know where this plant is from! I hope you can still help! I was given a plant,about 8in tall,stem and limbs are yellow it doesn't grow leaves it just has thorns do you have any idea what it ...
view the full question and answer

Identification of low plant with like waterlily pad
May 04, 2008 - Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a low growing plant with leaves the shape of a waterlily pad, approx.1" growing all over my yard. I actually like them but would like to know the name of the plant. Thank y...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.