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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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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Sunday - April 11, 2010

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflower Center, Wildflowers
Title: Color of Englemann's daisy (Engelmannia peristenia)
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I'm in Austin and just bought some Engelmann's Daisies at the plant sale on Fri. The picture had them with white petals, and your plant database has them with yellow petals. I specifically wanted white to alternate with my Damianita, which are yellow. So are they white or yellow?

ANSWER:

The flowers of Engelmannia peristenia (Engelmann's daisy) are yellow as shown on our information sign. We think you may have intended to pick up some plants of the white-flowered Erigeron modestus (plains fleabane) which were situated beside them on our sale table. We're very sorry for the confusion!

From the Image Gallery

Engelmann's daisy
Engelmannia peristenia

Plains fleabane
Erigeron modestus