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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!

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Monday - August 04, 2008

From: Warner, NH
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant with red berries that grows near the Warner River
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We live next to a river, the Warner River, and every year these plants with red berries appear next to the river. we have search for name to no avail: the leaf is unique with one large spade shaped petal and 2 small ones at the base. The small flower is purple with a small gold stamin in center. can you help?

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants is going to need some more information (or, better yet, some photos) to identify your plant. How large is it? Is it a woody plant? a bush? a small tree? an herb? a vine? If it is still there, please take photos and send them to us and we will do our best to identify it. Take a photo of: 1) the entire plant so that we can see the shape; 2) the stem showing the arrangement of the leaves and/or branches; 3) a closeup of a leaf; 4) a closeup of the flower, if still present; and 5) a closeup of the berries. Please visit the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page to read instructions (under "Plant Identification") for submitting photos.
 

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