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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

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.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Friday - February 20, 2009

From: Laredo, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Pests, Transplants
Title: Pest on leaves of native Texas persimmon in Laredo, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have a transplanted a Texas persimmon tree from the wild. It has some globes in the leaves. It seems like some pest injected something from underside of leaves. Any suggestion? What is happening to my tree? By the way, it is a beautiful 8 ft. tree.

ANSWER:

First, congratulations on successfully transplanting a Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon) from the wild. This is not easy, as it has an awesome root, but apparently you did very well. When we did research on this plant, we learned that it is extremely disease-resistant and has few pests. none normally serious. It sounds like you have some insect-produced galls, which are unsightly but rarely dangerous. This About.com website Dealing with Leaf Galls likened them to insect bites on a human-leaves a little bump, irritating, but then it goes away. Spraying the galls is not useful, because by the time you see the gall, the insect is long gone. Since we are not entomologists, we would suggest you contact the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Office for Webb County. They may know if there are similar problems in your area, and can suggest control, if you feel the problem is serious enough to warrant that. If you do spray, it will have to be in the early Spring, when the insects are still around.