Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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
1 rating

Saturday - August 20, 2005

From: Durham, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Smarty Plants on milkweed
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am looking for a photo of the local milkweed in the state of North Carolina. The name would be a help also. I am raising butterflies and I am in dire need of plants.

ANSWER:

There are several milkweeds to choose from that grow in North Carolina:

1. Asclepias humistrata or Pinewoods milkweed
2. A. incarnata or Swamp milkweed
3. A. lanceolata or Few-flower milkweed
4. A. syriaca or Common milkweed
5. A. tomentosa or Tuba milkweed
6. A. tuberosa or Orange milkweed
7. A. verticillata or Whorled milkweed.

Visit the National Suppliers Directory on the Wildflower Center web page to find a nursery or seed company near you that specializes in native plants.
 

More Plant Identification Questions

Mimosa pudica or \
July 02, 2007 - I don't have a picture of a flower but I'm looking for a flower that I was told was called earthquake flower. It blooms at night. Could you help me?
view the full question and answer

ID of odd woodland plant in PA?
July 20, 2009 - Found in the woods in Eastern Pennsylvania. It is about 8 inches tall and were found in clusters of 3 to 10. They are clear. with pink and black tops. Similar to a flower, but snaps like a fungus. ...
view the full question and answer

Identification of Matelea reticulata
June 08, 2007 - I recently saw blooming in an Austin park a small white-green flower ( 3/4 ") with a center that looked like a small pearl. Any idea what it is. I can't find it in my flower book, It was on a waist...
view the full question and answer

Identification of plant with seed heads like goat head
February 17, 2013 - Sir, I collected some bizarre seed heads from some rough weeds around a stock tank in SE New Mexico. They resemble goat heads, with two long curving horns. I have photos but couldn't figure out how ...
view the full question and answer

Plant identification
July 24, 2010 - I was wondering if you could help me identify a plant in the carrot family that has invaded a portion of my property that I fear may be toxic. It looks most like the water hemlock plant (leaf-wise, ...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.