Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

DONATE TODAY

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

Wednesday - April 17, 2013

From: Woodbury, MN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Submitting photos to assist with an ID
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

How do I submit images to assist with an ID?

ANSWER:

We did, for a period of time, accept photos for identification purposes, but we no longer do that.  We loved doing it but we were overwhelmed with photos and requests and we didn't have enough staff and/or volunteers to devote to that service and still be able to answer all our Mr. Smarty Plants questions.  We are sorry we can't help you with that.   You are still welcome to send in a description of the plant in question and we might be able to give you some possibilities for you to consider and/or suggestions for ways to search for its identification yourself.  I also suggest that you visit our Plant Identification page where we have listed links to several plant identification forums that accept photos for identification.
 

More Plant Identification Questions

Flowering vine with yellow flowers in Nevada
August 10, 2014 - A flowering vine started growing in our Henderson back yard about 2 months ago. It has variegated green leaves & yellow flowers. We decided not to pull it out & now it's spreading. I've looked on v...
view the full question and answer

Identification of a mint-like plant in California
July 21, 2013 - I found a plant growing near my apricot (in Fresno, California). It has a square stem which becomes more rounded toward the base. The leaves are smooth, opposite, and they have three to five leaflets ...
view the full question and answer

Plant identification of Indian Cane
June 18, 2011 - I live in southern Alabama. We have a plant that is wild but I can not find any info on it. My grandmother called it Indian Cane. The stems are red and you can chew them, they have a sour taste
view the full question and answer

Identification of Spaeralcea sp. Globe Mallow
March 31, 2008 - Let's do it again....my computer had some "issues" and I lost your answer.... I purchased a mallow from the WFC about two years ago...I was told at the time they had not yet identified the plant...
view the full question and answer

Plant identification in Andover MA
November 12, 2009 - I live in MA. I have found a tree that produces an avocado like fruit with a round grooved pit. There are several of these trees in the fields where I walk and the ground is littered with these fruits...
view the full question and answer

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