Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
1 rating

Thursday - February 20, 2014

From: Chicago, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I'm not sure of county of origin. It was given to me by someone I no longer have contact with. When I initially received it I thought it was just a small potted vine of some type. I've had it a year and now it is flowering. It has thick vines with large sturdy leaves along the vine pointing upwards towards the tip of the vine. Protruding from the last set of leaves at end of the vine are thin stalks with blooming clusters of tiny four petal orange flowers. Photo available

ANSWER:

Our focus and expertise are with plants native to North America and I think that probably your plant is not native.  From your description, however, one non-native plant comes to my mind—an orange kalanchoe.  There are many species of kalanchoe and most originate in Africa or Asia.  One species, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, originates in Madagascar and can have white, yellow, scarlet, pink, orange or salmon colored flowers.  We don't accept photos for identification; but, if this isn't your plant, you can visit our Plant Identification page where you will find links to several plant identification forums that do accept photos of plants for identification.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Non-native invasive creeping fig on oak tree
August 15, 2007 - I have a creeping fig in a pot that sits next to an oak tree. It took to the tree as a trellis and looks beautiful. My question is: is it doing the tree any harm?
view the full question and answer

Invasive, non-native Paulownia
May 03, 2006 - Hi. We would like to plant a fast growing tree that will provide shade for our house. What do you think of the Paulownia tree (Empress Tree) as a possibility for the Austin area? If this is not a g...
view the full question and answer

Getting rid of invasive, non-native Ailanthus altissimma, Tree of Heaven
July 21, 2008 - We live in Granite, MD and are trying to get rid of an invasive "tree of heaven". Based on a recommendation from a website dedicated to eradicating invasive plants,my husband cut down the tree which...
view the full question and answer

Problem with acanthus in Vancouver BC
May 16, 2010 - My girlfriend's Mom just planted an Acanthus in her garden. In the morning, it apparently stands up tall, but in the evening it bends over until the the leaves are lying in the dirt. She's concerned...
view the full question and answer

Will roots of non-native Bottlebrush damage foundation in Weslaco TX
April 02, 2011 - I have a bottle Brush tree planted 2 feet from a brick wall. The condo board told me to remove it for fear that it may crack the foundation of the wall. I don't want to remove it. I believe they are ...
view the full question and answer

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