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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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Friday - June 12, 2009

From: Clearwater, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Question about dwarf oyster plant, Tradescantia spathacea
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I sm looking for Dwarf Oyster plant like the one described about 3-4 inches in height, color green and purple. But the nurseries here in Clearwater FL don't seem to know what I am talking about. Should I give them another name. There are some planted around a tree, and some have died off leaving a large unplanted patch, so I was looking to replant about ten of them but cannot locate them. Thank you.

ANSWER:

Please see the answer to the previous question we received about the dwarf oyster plant and the link to its botanical name, Tradescantia spathacea.  You will find several other common names there.  Perhaps you could print out a photo of it from the internet.  Google the scientific name and then click on "Images" and you have many choices for photos.

 
 

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