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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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Wednesday - March 23, 2005

From: Spring, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of colicroot and yellow colic-root
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

There is a green flowering bush with yellow blooms off Taylor road in Dale, Texas (Caldwell County). What type of wildflower or weed is this? Could it possibly be Yellow Colic Root?

ANSWER:

You can check the pictures and descriptions of colicroot (Aletris aurea) and yellow colic-root (Aletris lutea) in the Native Plants Database on our web site to see if either look like your mystery plant. Be sure to choose "Search Images" in the menu bar for each page to see additional pictures. If neither of these looks like your plant, you can send us a digital photo and we will try to identify it. Please read the Plant Identification instructions on the "Ask the Expert" page.
 

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