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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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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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Monday - June 23, 2008

From: St. Charles, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Looking for pink star grass (Rhodohypoxis milloides)
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am looking for a wildflower/plant called Pink Star Grass (common name). I am not sure what the proper name is. Can you help me with this? I would like information on it, and also would like to purchase it. Thank you.

ANSWER:

The botanical name for pink star grass is Rhodohypoxis milloides. It is, apparently, a native of South Africa, not North America. It is a member of the Family Hypoxidaceae, a small family closely related to the Family Liliaceae (lily family) and Family Iridaceae (iris family) and not a member of the grass family (Family Poaceae).  You can find vendors by Googling the botanical name.

 
 

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