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.
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.
rate this answer
Monday - March 28, 2011
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of plant along Austin's Hike 'n' Bike Trail
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can you identify the tall (5-6 feet) lanky woody shrub which is growing on the south side of the Hike'n'Bike Trail in Austin? It is in a small garden, adopted by Maggie and Karl Key, near the new pedestrian bridge. In November 2010 the fragrance of the spiky white flowers was overwhelmingly sweet. When I walked by the site in mid-December 2010 the plant still had leaves and someone had decorated it for Christmas. Leaves gone by Jan 2011. It looks like a buddleia but not sure. Have pictures but don't know how to send. Thanks.ANSWER:
This sounds like Eysenhardtia texana (Texas kidneywood) , a reasonably common native shrub to the south and the west of Austin. Our Native Plant Database says that it blooms from May to October and it is certainly fragrant when it blooms. It does look a bit like a white buddleia. Brush & Weeds of Texas Rangelands from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says it blooms April to November. Here are photos from UT's Archive of Central Texas Plants and photos and more information from The Great Austin Tree Roundup.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Plant Identification Questions
Identity of plant called 'Bell-flowered Yucca' associated with Lynn Lowrey
January 20, 2011 - Please help identify a plant, the seeds of which are labeled "Bell Flowered Yucca" and " H. lowyrii" (or, presumably, some variant of Lynn Lowrey's name). I believe that this seed was collected ...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a tree at David Crockett Cabin Museum in Tennessee
October 22, 2012 - I was in Lawrenceburg TN and stopped by the David Crockett Cabin Museum. There was a tree and it dropped lemon sized balls on the ground. What kind of tree is it?
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 16, 2008 - I walk in a wooded area. There is a plant with large spade like leaves.It grow to about 4 to 6 ft. In other areas it has grown almost tree-like with green sticky nuts or seeds. I believe it had purple...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on wildflower identification
September 23, 2004 - Can you recommend a good CD-ROM on wildflower identification? I live in Virginia and am constantly frustrated trying to identify the myriad wildflowers I encounter as I move around the state.
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
February 20, 2014 - I'm not sure of county of origin. It was given to me by someone I no longer have contact with. When I initially received it I thought it was just a small potted vine of some type. I've had it a yea...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |