Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Thursday - November 04, 2010
From: Hinsdale, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am trying to figure out what this plant is..It has light feathery leaves like dill. It is an annual in the midwest. Height 5-6 feet tall. Stalk is about 3 inches wide with branches that are 2 feet long. It has turned bright red this autumn and the seeds are tiny and brown. Could it be anise? Do you have any suggestions?ANSWER:
It is rarely possible to identify a plant from a description alone; however, one native plant does come to mind. This is Eupatorium capillifolium (Dog fennel). The stalks can turn reddish in the fall. Here are links to photos from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Texas, Virginia Tech Weed ID Guide, Alabama Plants, University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants and the USDA Plants Database. The USDA Plants Database doesn't show it occurring in Illinois but it is recorded in Missouri and Kentucky. If this isn't your plant, you might consider taking photos and submitting them to one or more of the Plant Identification forums listed on our Plant Identification page.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification
June 11, 2008 - I have a green plant given in memory of my mom, and I have no idea what it is. It has rounded smooth leaves, green on front, purple on back. Inside each leaf is the impression of another leaf then an...
view the full question and answer
Bleeding Heart-Like Plant Identification in PA
May 09, 2015 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants. We have a plant that looks almost like the bleeding heart, as in the way the bell shaped (not heart) white flowers hang downward on the stem. However, the leaves are broader and...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Boise ID
July 18, 2012 - I have a plant growing in my bed which resembles a dandelion.. the problem is that it is really tall. Would you be able to take a look at a picture to identify it?
view the full question and answer
Plant identification from photos
April 11, 2008 - I have 3 photos of the same plant, and no one knows what it is. Can I send you the photos, they are small jpegs, for identification? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
May 06, 2010 - My neighbor has a few trees in his pasture that his horses love to eat the fruit off of. The fruit looks like a lemon but smaller and has lots of seeds inside of it. The trees have very long thorns on...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |