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.

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

Monday - May 28, 2007

From: Hico, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Identification of possible Hairy Cluster Vine or Clematis
Answered by: Barbara Medford and Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I found a small twining vine with purple to lavender, tubular flowers hanging on one side of the stem. The leaves are very narrow and alternate about 3/4"-1" long. I found them on the side of the road in Duffau or Hico TX. What is the plants name and is this plant native?

ANSWER:

Without seeing a picture of this plant, my best guess is that it is a Hairy Cluster Vine, Jacquemontia tamnifolia, a member of the Convolvulaceae family, the Morning Glory family. Another possibility is Purple Leatherflower, Clematis pitcheri. However, it is very difficult to correctly identify a species from written descriptions. If it is possible to send us a digital image of the plant in flower, please do so. You may send images to [email protected]. Usually, sharply-focused close-ups of foliage and flowers are most useful.