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.

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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!

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Friday - January 07, 2005

From: Santa Fe, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Smarty Plants on Isocoma pluriflora
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I would like to know when isocoma pluriflora (rayless goldenrod) blooms in the Santa Fe, N.M. area. I'd also like to know its height. Other info will also be appreciated.

ANSWER:

Isocoma pluriflora (formerly Isocoma wrightii), rayless goldenrod or jimmyweed, blooms from June to October and grows from 1-3 feet high. According to Charles R. Hurt et al. (Toxic Plants of Texas: Integrated Management Strategies to Prevent Livestock Losses. 2003. Texas Cooperative Extension. Texas A & M University) the rayless goldenrod is toxic to livestock and can cause death if the animal consumes the equivalent of 1 to 1.5 percent of its body weight over a 2 to 3 week period.

You can see pictures and read a description in the Native Plants Database on the Wildflower Center web page. Another account can be found on Texas A & M Horticulture web page and another in the USDA Plants Database.

From the Image Gallery

Southern goldenbush
Isocoma pluriflora