Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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

Sunday - April 21, 2013

From: Villa Hills, KY
Region: Select Region
Topic: Plant Identification, Poisonous Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Plant ID from Villa Hills KY
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Hello I have this plant but I don't know what it is. I want to know if it's edible or what it is. I think it's catnip.

ANSWER:

We are sorry, but that is not enough of a description for us to even hope to identify it. It might even be non-native to North America, which would put it out of our expertise. We are no longer able to accept pictures for ID, but if you go to our Plant Identification page you will find links to some websites that might be able to help you.

We urge you to eat NOTHING that has not been absolutely identified as a safe edible plant. And if you do have that identification, wash it first. It may have been sprayed with herbicide or pesticide that would do you no good, either.

 

More Poisonous Plants Questions

Jimsonweed and its toxic nature
June 21, 2011 - I purchased a Jimson weed plant at a local plant sale at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center this spring and was quite surprised at how quickly & large it grew. After the first round of flowers fa...
view the full question and answer

Agave attenuata Poisonous?
March 12, 2015 - Is Agave attenuata (foxtail agave) poisonous to horses or humans?
view the full question and answer

Flying insects eating leaves of non-native Brugmansia in Aline CA
October 17, 2013 - I have an Angel Trumpet tree. We live in Aline, California 30 miles east of San Diego. Little yellow and black flying bugs eat the leaves. Do you have a remedy for this problem.
view the full question and answer

Is Viburnum dentatum (Chicago Lustre) toxic to horses
May 26, 2009 - Are Chicago Lustre Viburnum -- Viburnum Dentatum -- toxic to horses?
view the full question and answer

Is the Magnolia 'Ann' safe for horses
May 14, 2010 - I bought a magnolia "ann". Will it hurt my horses to eat any part of it?
view the full question and answer

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