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

Saturday - June 23, 2007
From: Oak Ridge , NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Tentative identification of Viola sagittata
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am trying to find name of wildflower, Violet growing in adjoning woods. I have not been able to find it on internet. The non-basal leaves are very irregular in shape, grow to six inches, no two alike and darker green than the basal leaves which are the same shape and color of common violet leaves. Flower is a bluish violet with two-up large petals and three down. Pistil is muted golden yellow. Any suggestions where to find info on this violet? Thank youANSWER:
One possibility for your violet is Viola sagittata (arrowleaf violet). Another possibility is Viola �palmata (early blue violet).Both of these have features that somewhat match your description. However, it is very difficult to identify plants by description alone. If you can send us a digital photo, we would have a better chance of giving you a definite identification. You can find instructions for submitting photos for identification on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page.
More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of Canopy Plant
December 01, 2008 - I recently adopted a large house plant from a neighbor who moved away. He called it a 'Canopy Plant', but I'm having no luck with that name when I search for care tips. It seems to be in poor healt...
view the full question and answer
Looking for pink star grass (Rhodohypoxis milloides)
June 23, 2008 - I am looking for a wildflower/plant called Pink Star Grass (common name). I am not sure what the proper name is. Can you help me with this? I would like information on it, and also would like to pu...
view the full question and answer
Identity of purple flower with flowers similar to witch hazel
August 16, 2012 - Found along woods roads. Purple flower about 1 - 2 ft. in height. Central stem rises from a ground level leaf whorl of five leaves from 4 to 7 inches long and 2 to 3 inches at their widest point. C...
view the full question and answer
A stinging plant in Moultrie, GA?
April 28, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I was walking along in my lawn in some flip-flops and my foot barely grazed my ankle. As soon as it had happened, I felt this horrible pain, like a million tiny, invisible splinter...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 24, 2011 - I have searched through all the plant identifications and can not find the one I am looking for. I live 6o miles South of Rochester, NY. In my woods, I found 2 plants, that are no where else in the ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |