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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.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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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!

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Sunday - March 14, 2004

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Illegal to pick wildflowers
Answered by: Sage Kawecki

QUESTION:

Is it illegal to pick wildflowers?

ANSWER:

It is illegal to damage, or remove property from State lands. Loosely interpreted, this could include wildflowers, even bluebonnets, along the right-of-ways. However, law enforcement agents are mostly concerned about safety issues from cars pulling over to photograph the flowers and families placing themselves in close proximity to speeding traffic.
 

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