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
Not Yet Rated

Thursday - August 21, 2014

From: Newport, RI
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Shasta Daisies without Petals
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

My shasta daisies do not have the white petals, only the yellow center is in bloom. There are no visible signs of insects. They get a good amount of sun - about 5 hours per day. What could be the problem?

ANSWER:

Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are great perennial plants and according to the Missouri Botanical Garden's Plant Finder website, they were originally developed by Luther Burbank in the 1890s near the snow covered Mt. Shasta in northern California. They aren't a native plant but are hybrid crosses made from four plants: Leucanthemum vulgare (European oxeye daisy), Leucanthemum lacustre (Portuguese field daisy), Leucanthemum maximum (Pyrenees chrysanthemum) and Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Japanese field daisy).

Anyway, since there are no signs of insects (although they could have been active at night) and the cultural conditions are adequate for blooms, the plant may be showing signs of Aster Yellows. One symptom of Aster Yellows is deformed flowers without petals (phyllody, which is the development of leaf-like flower petals). This phytoplasma disease is difficult to control and there is no cure. Infected plants should be removed and destroyed if you suspect this is the reason for your petalless flowers.

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Native Texas Plants for a Terrarium
October 08, 2014 - I have a 55-gallon aquarium that I would like to make into a terrarium. Are there any Texas native plants that would do well in the limited artificial light of the tank? The plants should be of varyin...
view the full question and answer

Eriogonum spergulinum, wild buckwheat
March 21, 2008 - Do you have any information on the wildflower Eriogonum spergulinum???
view the full question and answer

Lupines annual or perennial in Zone 4b from Austin
November 08, 2012 - Are lupines treated as perennials or annuals in Zone 4b (Northeast) if they are planted in the ground? Will other native species of lupines grow in a region they are not native to? Any recommendations...
view the full question and answer

Native perennials for Missouri City, TX
March 19, 2014 - I checked all the questions for my area and still need help. What are some native perennials for southeast Texas
view the full question and answer

Plants for narrow planter boxes in San Antonio
October 02, 2010 - We have a narrow flower planter box in three sections above a french drain in front of our house. The box is about 2 feet high (filled with Gardenville soil) above a french drain covered with filter ...
view the full question and answer

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