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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - April 06, 2011
From: Augusta, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm trying to figure out the name of a plant/shrub purchased a couple years ago. It was a shrub (about medium sized) with yellow blooms that smelled like lemon. I don't think it was lemon balm or lemon verbena; most definitely not the golden chain tree. HELP!ANSWER:
All three of the plants you named are not native to North America:
- Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) is native to the Mediterranean region.
- Aloysia citrodora (lemon verbena) is native to South America.
- Laburnum anagyroides (golden chain or common laburnum) and Laburnum alpinum (golden chain or Alpine laburnum) are native to Europe.
And, I suspect the one you purchased a couple of years ago is also a non-native. What we are all about here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is the study, conservation, and promotion of the use of plants native to North America, so I'm afraid we can't really help. However, we do have a suggestion for help in identifying your plant. Please visit our Plant Identification page to find contact information for several plant forums where you can submit your question and, if you have one, a photograph to help with the identification.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification request from Wales, United Kingdom
November 17, 2011 - I have a plant that has green and pink leaves and the flowers are dry but are like fingers on a hand. The leaves drop down when it needs watering, which is every other day, and the finger shaped clust...
view the full question and answer
Identity of red flower that looks like a blue bell
May 31, 2013 - Looking for the name of a flower that grows in Breckinridge county Kentucky. It's looks similar to the blue bell but blood red in color. Any help is appreciated.
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Woodcreek TX
January 27, 2012 - I would like to attach a photo of a weed in my lawn and have you identify it. How do I send a photo? I have been told it may be ground ivy. Please tell me how to kill it without damaging the lawn.
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
July 01, 2013 - I picked a beautiful large red wildflower, & by the time I got home, the stem had turned "spikey" and dark black! Very ugly & a little scary as I had never heard of such a flower! Can you identify??
view the full question and answer
Identification of groundcover plant in north Georgia mountains
September 16, 2011 - Was trail riding in N GA mountains - saw pretty ground cover plant ? vine - small green leaves with whitish borders almost look like clover leaves and has small bright red red berries - this was Aug 2...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |