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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - June 21, 2015
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Vines
Title: Invasive vine with yellow flowers in Austin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What is the invasive vine in Austin that has wire like stems and small leaves. It just blossomed huge yellow flowers this spring. It climbs cliff, trees, bldgs., etc.ANSWER:
The native Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine) has large yellow flowers in the spring and its leaves aren't very large. It is not normally considered invasive.
Another possibility is Macfadyena unguis-cati (Catclawvine), listed as invasive in the Texas Invasives database and native to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and also Guatemala. Here is more information and photos from Texas AgriLife Extension.
Other than those two vines, I can't think of any possibility for an invasive vine with large yellow flowers for Austin, Texas. If neither of these vines are the one you have seen and you have photos of it, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to plant identification forums that accept photos of plants for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Vine for a trellis in Illinois
June 21, 2008 - I live in Nortrhern Illinois and am trying to keep my garden as native as possible. I would like to grow something on a trellis in part sun. It looks like a regional clematis is a possibility, but d...
view the full question and answer
Flowering vine for summer sun in Southern California
November 26, 2013 - Hi and thanks for this great site.
1)Southern CA -- South facing wall(lattice on top)total height 7ft with mature Boston Ivy-- Viburnum tinus and Euonymus at base. THE PROBLEM: East 25% (25ft) has b...
view the full question and answer
Shade tolerant plants for erosion from Austin
May 03, 2014 - I live in Austin and my house backs up to Shoal Creek. I am looking for a native creeping vine or something that will grow on the shaded bank to help prevent erosion. It should be able to tolerate the...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for hanging baskets in Abilene
June 10, 2008 - I live in the DRY West Texas heat in Abilene. I'd like to put some hanging plants along my back fence. Preferably something that would attract butterflies. We have a pool in our back yard and almost ...
view the full question and answer
Red, puffy growths on Concord grape vine
July 07, 2015 - I have a growth on my grapevine that is red and puffy almost looks like it is full of water. It is a Concord grapevine. I have images I can send to you! It is on the stems.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |