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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Friday - July 25, 2008

From: ST. Joseph, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: What is gelatinous plant in a Missouri lake
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Q what is gel like plant floating in lake looks like a bag filled with green living plant and is see thru and has red. when touched feels like piece of fat but seems to be living in water. Missouri

ANSWER:

Well, we have several possibilities here—it could be a plant (algae) or it could be insects eggs, fish eggs, amphibian (frog, toad, salamander) eggs, bryozoans, freshwater jellyfish, or freshwater sponges. Here is a site from the University of Maine with photos and information about all of these. Here are, also, an Algae Photo Library, a Fish Eggs Stock Photos and Images site, an Amphibian Egg Identification Page, Bryozoans site, Freshwater Jellyfish page, and Freshwater Sponges. Mr. Smarty Plants hopes you will be able to find your "critter" in one of these.