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
Thursday - June 23, 2011
From: Newton, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: More information about Trillium in New Jersey
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi, Nan. FYI. The Trillium seeds in question came from the State of Alabama. If you have an interest in seeing photos of this Trillium and two others in my garden, which are different and which I believe to be T. cuneatum and T. sessile, I would be pleased to send them along. I got in touch with you because I, too, had not had success discovering what this species is.ANSWER:
Ah ha! Since the seeds are from Alabama, I have another suggestion—Trillium decumbens (trailing wakerobin). Here are some more photos from the Wildflowers of the United States, Gulf Coast Research Corporation and the Pacific Bulb Society. Here's the description from eFloras.org. This sounds very much like your description from the previous question. It is listed as "Endangered" in Tennessee.
More Plant Identification Questions
Inquiry about the Arizona Cypress trees in the Family Garden
March 20, 2015 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I recently visited The Wildflower Center and enjoyed seeing several features that were new since my last visit two years ago. In the Family Garden areas I saw several beautifu...
view the full question and answer
Mystery plant in Vicksburg, MS
May 20, 2008 - I have a strange plant that has come up by a ditch next to my house. I've lived here 23 years and have never seen anything like it. I can only guess that it came up from a packet of wildflower seed...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification for Redding, CA
August 11, 2012 - I have a volunteer plant that has dull green leaf with tiny white flowers that turn into a small black berry the size of a raisin. Can you identify it? I live in Redding, Ca. They are popping up in th...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Rigin TX
August 18, 2010 - I have noticed a low growing plant with slick geranium shaped leaves. Today (August 17) I found a tiny- about half inch five sided pod on it. Each side is shaped like a heart! Have not noticed any f...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on Resurrection Plant
June 03, 2005 - Hello,
I have a plant that my grandmother gave to me. When she gave me the plant it was a dried bundle; but, as soon as she put in water, the plant opened up and came to life again. Then, we let it...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |