Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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?

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

Tuesday - October 04, 2011

From: Orange, CA
Region: California
Topic: Plant Identification, Vines
Title: Plant identification of a potted vine in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Hi, we have a tropical vine growing in a pot on our patio that my wife bought at the county fair. We've had it for a couple of years but I just noticed it now has a sort of pear like fruit on it. It is definitely a vine as it is climbing up one of the posts. The leaf is oval and V veined. The fruit is green now but I'm sure it has not yet matured. Thanks.

ANSWER:

Generally, a plant growing in a pot indicates a cultivated non-native plant.  Since our focus and expertise here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are with the study, conservation and promotion of plants native to North America, we aren't likely going to be able to identify a non-native cultivated plant.  Indeed, there isn't really enough detail in your description to suggest any particular vine that I can think of.  You can, however, search in our Native Plant Database for California native possibilities by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH and choosing "California" from the Select State or Province option and "Vine" from Habit (general appearance).  This will give you a list of almost 50 vines, most with photos, for you to see.   If none of these looks like your vine, then you can visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that accept photos for identification.   Be sure to read the "Important Notes" for submitting photos and also be sure that the photos you submit are in good focus.

 

More Plant Identification Questions

Identity of a plant with opposite leaves in Washington
June 09, 2009 - My friend just bought a house and in the front yard are some bushes. I don't have a picture, but they are only 1-2 feet tall now. They have these unusual stems, throughout the entire bush. They are v...
view the full question and answer

Identity of red raspberry-like berries in Connecticut
July 28, 2008 - I found some edible berries today in the woods that look like raspberries, are red like raspberries, but don't taste like them at all. They're very shiny red, remove easily from the bush. The flavor...
view the full question and answer

ID of odd woodland plant in PA?
July 20, 2009 - Found in the woods in Eastern Pennsylvania. It is about 8 inches tall and were found in clusters of 3 to 10. They are clear. with pink and black tops. Similar to a flower, but snaps like a fungus. ...
view the full question and answer

Differences between Ratibida columnifera and Ratibida peduncularis
June 03, 2010 - How do you tell the difference between Ratibida columnifera and Ratibida peduncularis. On NPIN columnifera has red and penduncularis is solid yellow, but I have seen pictures listed as columnifera tha...
view the full question and answer

Summer fragrance from Naples FL
June 07, 2011 - Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Naples, Florida, there has been something that blooms in the summer. I smell this every day into the evening and it isn't a flowery fragrance, it was a li...
view the full question and answer

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