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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Sunday - May 10, 2009

From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Yellow lupine-like flowers
Answered by: Damon Waitt

QUESTION:

I recently visited Hodges Gardens near Many, LA. There was a large plant, 2' tall with spikey yellow lupine-like flowers. Plant had hairy leaves and a big spread--I'm sure it is a wild perennial. I have inquired at Hodges but received no response and googled as well. A fellow visitor called it wild tobacco, but a search for that didn't show a similar picture. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much.

ANSWER:

This is just a guess based on your description, but it could be Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea (longbract wild indigo) or Baptisia sphaerocarpa (yellow wild indigo). If not, the green guru recommends you submit a photo of the plant at http://www.wildflower.org/expert/plantid.php

Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea