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 - August 16, 2012
From: Abilene, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Problem Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Identity of plant that smells like oranges in Alpine, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
There are patches of flat bushy like plants in lawn, smells like orange. Areas may be 10" and spreading, but when pulled has small root. How can I get rid of this plant and what is it?ANSWER:
This sounds like one of the Crotons. There are several species that occur in Brewster County and all have a characteristic odor, much like oranges, when the leaves are crushed. The most likely one is Croton monanthogynus (Prairie tea). Here are more photos and information from University of Texas School of Biological Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension and from Missouri State University.
Croton lindheimerianus (Threeseed croton). Here are photos from the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
Croton pottsii var. pottsii (Leatherweed)
Croton suaveolens (Scented croton)
Croton texensis (Texas croton)
Croton incanus (Torrey's croton). Here are photos and more information from Texas A&M Aggie Horticulture.
Croton fruticulosus (Bush croton)
The best way to get rid of the plant is just what you have been doing—pull it up. On the other hand, you might consider waiting until after it's dropped its seeds. Crotons are often called doveweeds for their important role in providing essential forage for doves, quail and other ground-feeding birds.
If this isn't the plant you have in your lawn, take photos of it and then visit our Plant Identification page where you will find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Two-leafed trilliums
June 17, 2012 - Turns out our 2 leafed plant IS a trillium..I saw that another person from our town also asked about trilliums..we are happy to have them, but it is confusing when the third upper leaf is absent or ve...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 06, 2008 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have some plants I cannot identify. They were given to me after a funeral. I love them, i would like to know WHAT THEY ARE??? Here are descriptions. I can get photos. (PS I liv...
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification of plant similar to Oxytropis campestris
June 08, 2012 - This plant was found in Breckenridge Texas.
Yellow flowers like Oxytropis campestris, yet it is not supposed to be in Texas. Is this possible?
Soil is gravelly, sandy and yellow clay.
sorry no pho...
view the full question and answer
Identification of rose campion
August 04, 2007 - My friend shared a plant with me and I cannot identify it. She said that it was Rose Campriow? or something like this. It has very small pink/purplish blooms with grey green foliage. It is a perenn...
view the full question and answer
Identification of wild plum found in Conroe, TX
March 23, 2007 - I have found a wild plum that has dirty pink flowers and reddish smooth bark in a field in the town of Conroe, Tx. Identification thru the Ag Man here was sketchy and inaccurate. Short stubby limbs w...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |