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

Thursday - January 03, 2008
From: Jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of plant with bell-shaped flowers
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am in need of a plant name to purchase. It is absolutely beautiful. The plant has light green leaves, the flowers that bloom look like bells (of course they hang upside down) any idea what the name of this plant is?ANSWER:
The plant you describe sounds like a member of the Family Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)—for instance, Campanula rotundifolia (bluebell bellflower). Since Mr. Smarty Plants doesn't know the color or size of the flower or whether it is native or an introduced ornamental, it's not going to be possible to give you a more definite identification. If you can photograph the plant and send us digital images, we will more likely be able to give you a name. To learn how to submit photographs, visit Ask Mr. Smarty Plants and read the instructions under "Plant Identification".Here are several links where you can see photos of various species of the Campanulaceae and, perhaps, identify your plant:
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants: Campanulaceae
Digital Flora of Texas, Vascular Plant Image Library: Campanulaceae
The Family Ericaceae (Heath Family) also has plants with flowers that hang down like bells—for instance, Agarista populifolia (Florida hobblebush).
More Plant Identification Questions
Identity of tree with fragrant yellow flowers and thorns
June 06, 2013 - I'm not sure if this is a native plant. It's a tree, around 15" tall. The leaves are in bunches with 3-4 very sharp small spines at each bunch. Flowers are small, yellow, hang down from the leaf...
view the full question and answer
What are the cone shaped evergreens around Pilot Point, TX?
January 26, 2016 - What are the cone shaped evergreens around Pilot Point, Texas called? They are dark green with spiky leaves and rough bark. I have a row planted as a windscreen and want to transplant a couple from a ...
view the full question and answer
Identification of yellow blooming plants near Temple, Texas
November 07, 2011 - This question may be a challenge. We noticed fields of
yellow blooming plants in the fields east of Temple. They
appear to be about 4 inches tall. (we were on a bus and
could not stop to look cl...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
July 22, 2010 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, (love the name), I have found a plant in my yard. Underground it looks like a green onion, above ground it has a broad leaf, a thin 8-12 inch stalk and the top 2" of the stalk...
view the full question and answer
Inquiry about the Arizona Cypress trees in the Family Garden
March 20, 2015 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I recently visited The Wildflower Center and enjoyed seeing several features that were new since my last visit two years ago. In the Family Garden areas I saw several beautifu...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |