Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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 - April 14, 2008

From: Graham, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Identification of vine with red flower
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have a "vine" that flowers. When it "blooms", it begins with a reddish/yellowish/orange ball about the side of a dime. The ball bursts open and a small red bloom emerges. It looks like a carnation about the size of a nickel. I have asked several people but no one seems to know what it is. It has begun to spring leaves. The balls will follow in about a month. How can I find out what it is? and how to root a piece for another part of the yard?

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants loves to identify plants, but identifying plants by means of description alone is very difficult, if not impossible. If you would take photos (following the directions on our Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page in the lower right corner) and send them to us, we will do our very best to identify your vine.
 

More Vines Questions

Flowering vine for shade in Southern California
May 11, 2012 - Flowering climbing plant for shade in Palm Desert, CA.
view the full question and answer

Native Vines for Coleman County, TX
December 19, 2013 - Do you have a list of native vines for Coleman County, TX. Thank You for your help
view the full question and answer

Plants for a children's playground
April 20, 2015 - We have extensive native gardens on our 2 acre property, but my children want a garden of their own with plants they can hide under and that are good for imaginative play. Are there any native plants...
view the full question and answer

Identification of thorny vine in Michigan
May 21, 2013 - We have a species growing around our rural SW Michigan property that I'm trying to identify: I either see stalks up to 3 ft tall, or much longer vines if they find anchor. The most notable characte...
view the full question and answer

Identification of a vine with thorns and blue berries.
April 22, 2008 - > Hello, > We have acreage in Butler County, PA. I recently discovered a vine that I can't identify. It's has many small spines all over the stem, then very large and stiff thorns. It has dark gr...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.