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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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Monday - August 22, 2005

From: Austin , TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Smarty Plants on Hesperaloe parviflora
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

On your home website there is an orange flower that is tall and has tall leaves. is it a cactus? Thanks.

ANSWER:

It is Red yucca or Red-flower false yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), a member of the Family Liliaceae (Lily Family). Be sure to select "Search Images" from the menu at the top of the Red yucca page to see more photographs.
 

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