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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - July 13, 2008
From: Portland, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Mystery plant in hay fields in Tennessee
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I found plants growing in my hay fields that are about 4 feet tall, large leaves and blooms (ball shaped) bell flowers.That is, the blooms looks like a pom pom with about 50 to 80 small flowers "hanging" from small stems on each ball . The flowers are perfectly shaped lavender color with small round middles. Very fragrant. Can email a pic if needed. Very interested in knowing if this is some type of weed or old plant. I live on a plantation farm from the 1800s, so I never know what might pop up once the ground is tilled or moved some.ANSWER:
That sounds like a really interesting plant. About the best way we can hope to identify a plant is to have a picture. Go to the Mr. Smarty Plants page, and on the lower right end area under "Plant Identification" you will find instructions for sending us a digital picture. We will then do our best to figure out what it is.
More Plant Identification Questions
Removing non-native plants appearing in Austin in early spring
March 14, 2012 - In order to know which plants to keep and which to remove, is there a source to look up and identify common non-native plants that are seen in Austin about this time of the year (late winter, early Sp...
view the full question and answer
Plants of Texas Coastal Bend beaches
November 27, 2013 - What plants are native to the Texas Coastal Bend beaches?
view the full question and answer
Mystery berries on vine in Montgomery County, TX
August 09, 2013 - While out in the woods today on Caney Creek near Grangerland, Texas, I found what I thought to be some grapes on a vine hanging down from a tree. I brought the vine down, but when I got it home to pr...
view the full question and answer
Spriranthes sp. blooming on rocky hilltop
November 13, 2015 - I am not sure if my previous question went thru, so I am submitting it again.
How unusual is it to find a few blooming specimens of Spiranthes sp. on a rocky hilltop west of Loop 360 near Bee Caves R...
view the full question and answer
Native flowers versus non-natives
June 30, 2014 - Native flowers versus non-natives. What guidelines do use for identification. I come across flowers in different habitats and can't identify them as natives.
Also, how do you attach a image to a ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |