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
Tuesday - October 27, 2015
From: Center Point, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Herbs/Forbs
Title: What is the black stuff growing on my thoroughwort?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
What is the black stuff on my thoroughwort plant's leaves that is killing the plant?ANSWER:
There are several species of plants that have the common name of thouroughwort, and I suppose most of them are susceptible to this “black stuff” that is probably an infection of sooty mold.
The sooty mold is a fungus that is living on the honey dew on the leaves which is excreted by aphids and other sap-sucking insects living on the plants such as scale. As honeydew is excreted by the sucking insects, it becomes airborne and falls and coats any surface upon which it lands in the area.
I'm including three links that will tell you more about aphids, honey dew, and sooty mold.
aphids, UC IPM
Sooty mold, UC IPM
Sooty mold, USDA
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Loss of leaves from globe willows in Utah
July 26, 2008 - I have four globe willows that have been in my back yard for the past 6 years. For the past month they have been losing their leaves from the bottom up. We had aphids in some of our other trees and ...
view the full question and answer
Oak roots damaged by ax from Austin
July 03, 2013 - Hello. I am attempting to create my own tiny copy of the Wildflower Center within my yard. I'm using all native, drought tolerant plants. My front yard is full of live oaks. I used a sod cutter la...
view the full question and answer
Decline of sheared dwarf hollies from Rockwall TX
May 31, 2014 - I have 20 year old established dwarf yaupon hollies in front of the house that I trim every year and shape the same. This year the new growth that was 2 1/2 " long I noticed the new leaves were curli...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses or sedges for a border in Texas
August 12, 2011 - I am in the process of gradually replacing some of my landscaping in Dallas Texas with native Texas plants. Your website has been very helpful.
I now wish to replace a liriope border, which has cro...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen groundcover under pine tree in NY
May 23, 2008 - Hello! I live in upstate NY. I'm trying to find an evergreen ground cover to plant under a pine tree. I believe it's a white spruce (but I'm not postive). I've read conflicting information reg...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |