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
Monday - October 19, 2015
From: Sun Lakes, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents
Title: Puncture wound from Blue Agave leaf.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
A blue agave leave went through my glove and into my hand. It's swelled up a bit and hurts. Is this just a passing thing.ANSWER:
The mission of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes.
The question that you have needs to be addressed to either your Doctor or other Health Care Professional (which I hope you have done by now). The spine of the leaf could have inserted bacteria into your hand which could lead to infection. The juice of some agave can cause contact dermatitis on the skin, but the plant itself is not toxic.
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
Yucca filamentosa suffering from damp feet in Houston
February 09, 2012 - Last year, I planted three enormous and gorgeous Yucca Filamentosa in my backyard. Two are thriving but the third started turning yellow then brown from the bottom up after a few weeks of rains.
S...
view the full question and answer
Cactus failing to thrive in New York City
November 21, 2008 - My cactus seems to be either weak or dying. Its long stems are bending and softer than the rest. What is happening to it?
view the full question and answer
Lesions on Agave Leaves in Spring Branch, Texas
January 14, 2011 - I have a giant Agave americana that was beautiful until recently. Several of the leaves have lesions, some of them quite drastic, on the last third of the leaf. What is causing this?
view the full question and answer
Prickly cactus in Williamson County, Texas
September 12, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Can you tell me what species of prickly pear cactus we have here in Williamson County? I see two listed as being here in Texas. One is the Plains variety and the other is ...
view the full question and answer
Identification of green succulent plant with red tubular flowers
October 08, 2007 - Hi there, i have this plant which is green,leaves are succulent, and these red tubular little flowers about an inch long grow rampantly all summer.
i wanna know what it is called as i take cuttings a...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |