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

Tuesday - May 20, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identity of 50 ft. tree
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in Austin and I have a tall (50-ft) tree outside my window. It's deciduous and has shiny, deep green, spear-tip, serrated leaves that vary in size from about hand- to dinner-plate size. I've never noticed any flower or fruit. It tolerates direct sun all day. The trunk divides about every ten feet. I thought it might be Ash, but I'm no tree guy.ANSWER:
About the only tree I can think of with leaves that large is Firmiana simplex (Chinese parasol tree). As the common name suggest, it is a native of Asia—China and Japan. Here is another photo and more information and yet more information and another photo.
If this doesn't happen to be your mystery tree, I think we are going to need some photos to determine what it is. See the the lower right corner of the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page (under "Plant Identification") for instructions on submitting photos for identification. Please take pictures of the leaves and also of the trunk.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification
September 10, 2013 - I love around Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and I saw a strange plant. It has a soft green outer shell, a harder thinner shell inside, points, but aren't pointy, and a white substance out of the stem when...
view the full question and answer
Tree purchased at LBJWC plant sale from Austin
November 10, 2009 - I bought a tree at the 2008 LBJ Wildflower plant sale,
it is growing great. I would like to plant it in the proper location/soil but lost the name tag and can't identify it. It has very fine leaves...
view the full question and answer
Information about a red-flowered Pavonia lasiopetala in central TX.
September 07, 2010 - I have grown Pavonia for years and just let it re-seed where it wants (and remove if I don't want it where it falls). This year I created a new 6 inch raised bed amended with compost and some manure...
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification from Pearland TX
August 10, 2013 - I am looking for a native plant; was told it was called Hummingbird Weed. Came from Coryell County. I let mine freeze and cannot find more. It has long spikes with small red trumpet-shaped blooms on ...
view the full question and answer
Instructions on posting photos of plant for ID
February 29, 2008 - I need help identifying an adopted tree. How do I post the picture so I can show you? It's a odd one I've never seen.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |