Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

DONATE TODAY

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?

Share

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
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - January 19, 2011

From: New Braunfels, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Plant identification of vine with hard brown bulb-shaped fruit
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I was given a brown hard bulb-looking ball with rough tiny dots on it and told it comes from a vine that changes to beautiful colors and these balls hang off the vine. A lady in Houston grows them and gave some to a friend who then gave some to me. There are no flowers. It is about the size of a kiwi fruit but hard and rounder. I couldn't find anything like it described in plant identification.

ANSWER:

Our focus and expertise here at the Wildflower Center are with plants that are native to North America and the vine that you describe does not sound like any vine native to Texas or North America that we know.  You can see for yourself a list (most with photos) of vines that are native to Texas by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH in our Native Plant Database and choosing 'Texas' under Select State or Province and 'Vine' under Habit (general appearance).  If you have, or can take, a photo of the fruit that you describe, you might submit to one or more of the identification forums listed on our Plant Identification page.  Someone on one of the forums might be able to identify it for you.
 

More Vines Questions

Identification of ivy-like plant with large purplish leaves.
March 27, 2015 - Can you ID this ivy-like growing plant with a big purplish elephant ear type leaf and a big green stem pouch?
view the full question and answer

Pet Friendly Groundcovers for CA
January 23, 2016 - I am looking for pet friendly, groundcover plants in San Jose, CA.
view the full question and answer

Sources for plants from Abingdon MD
August 02, 2012 - What stores or nursuries in Harford County sell already grown Coral honeysuckle, Purple passion flower, trumpet creeper, and crossvine?
view the full question and answer

Trumpet vines on wall in Longmont CO
May 18, 2010 - I purchased three trumpet vines to plant on the NW wall of my house back in 2002. Although the leaves are a beautiful healthy dark green, none of them have ever bloomed despite regular fertilizing pe...
view the full question and answer

Native vine for California deck
November 24, 2009 - Can you recommend a native California vine to grow on our deck to cover a trellis under a deck? There is a canopy of live coast oak above the deck so there is bright, filtered light. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

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