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.
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.
rate this answer
Tuesday - March 24, 2015
From: El Paso, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of mystery plant in yard in El Paso, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a plant bed in my yard with mostly shade, in the winter it looked like 10-15 sticks about 2-3 ft tall coming from the ground. Now early March there are green and maroon leaves only growing at the very end of the branches. The leaves are deeply veined and only 1-2 inches long. Many yards around me have the same plant. I also have a taller one in yard with the same leaves only at the tip. Is there any way you can figure out my mystery plant?ANSWER:
Sorry, but from your description no native plant comes to mind. By now, two weeks after you submitted your question, the plant will have grown and you should have a bit more of the plant to help provide clues to its identification. Please visit our Plant Identification page where you find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification. Be sure to read the "Important Notes..." at the bottom of the page before taking and submitting your photos.
More Plant Identification Questions
Identifying
September 01, 2007 - i have a tree that i cannot identify. the leaf looks like a "pot plant"(yes, cannabis!!), but the leaf does not have serrated edges. it has a long bloom of numerous small white flowers that form a s...
view the full question and answer
Identification of rose campion
August 04, 2007 - My friend shared a plant with me and I cannot identify it. She said that it was Rose Campriow? or something like this. It has very small pink/purplish blooms with grey green foliage. It is a perenn...
view the full question and answer
Recognizing poison ivy
June 20, 2007 - I am having a difficult time identifying poison ivy. It seems so many plants look like poison ivy can you help me I don't want to kill everything but on the same hand I don't want to itch.
Thanks f...
view the full question and answer
Identity of vine with orangish flowers
July 09, 2014 - I am looking to ID what I believe is a vine growing plant that blooms orangish flowers. I have pictures of the plant, and have attempted to use multiple plant ID websites. But have been unsuccessful. ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 25, 2011 - I see a previous question from Ohio on this plant, so I will copy the description and try to submit photos. "A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stem...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |
