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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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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.

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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!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
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Wednesday - September 19, 2007

From: Winnipeg, MB
Region: Canada
Topic: Vines
Title: Plant identification request for a vine
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I would like to identify a wild vine that I have just discovered in our bush. It has leaves similar in shape to a maple leaf,approx.4"wide, has white flower spikes, and some kind of a fruit or pod that is similar in shape and appearance to a kiwi-oval in shape, approx. 1 1/2" long, and covered in very fine spikes which are "fur" like. They are green. The vine has wound it's way up a pine tree.

ANSWER:

We're not sure what you have. A photograph might do the trick, though. Please see the instructions given on the lower-left corner of the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants home page for details on how to submit digital images to us for identification.
 

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