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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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Sunday - August 24, 2008

From: Coburg, ON
Region: Canada
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Please help us identify a woodland plant whose fruiting stem looks very similar to a corncob stuck into the ground, pointy end up. It sticks up about 4-5" above the ground. The largish pale yellow fruits are densely spaced, larger than corn kernels, and generally rounded. Each "kernel" is fleshy and has inside tiny black seeds. There are no leaves visible this late in the season.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants loves to identify plants but I think we are going to need a photograph to do this one. Please visit Mr. Smarty Plant's Plant Identification page to read instructions for submitting photos.
 

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