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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Monday - September 23, 2013
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identity of shrub growing wild in Austin Texas area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi! I need help identifying a bush growing wild in my area. I have pictures of leaves fruit and bark. I cant find a good place to post these in order to ID plant. I'm in Austin TX area. Thanks!ANSWER:
You can visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plant for purposes of identification. We did try to provide that service ourselves at one time, but we were soon overwhelmed with so many photos and identification requests that we did not have enough staff and volunteers to handle them and to answer all the other questions we receive as well.
You are welcome to send a description of the shrub with information about its size, the size and shape of its leaves and their arrangement on the branches/stems (opposite each other or alternate on the stem), description of any fruit and/or flowers, and any unusual features such as thorns and we might be able to give you at least some possibilities for its identity.
More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of spiky red berry in Connecticut
September 25, 2011 - I found an odd berry outside of my school, none of the science teachers know what it is though. It kind of looks like a spiked cherry. It has spikes on the outside, a pit on the insde, and has pinkish...
view the full question and answer
Tree that looks like cedar elm but with smooth bark
August 09, 2014 - What tree looks like a cedar elm, but has smooth bark?
view the full question and answer
Identity of groundcover in Parker County, TX
June 02, 2013 - I'm trying to identify a native "groundcover" that looks much like frogfruit, as far as the leaves and growth pattern, but has small yellow flowers that look like little lanterns as buds. I know it...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification in Keller TX
March 18, 2009 - I'm trying to i.d. a wildflower found in Keller, Tx. It is about 8 in. tall, single upright stem with narrow, slender leaves up the stem, several red blooms at top of stem about 1 inch wide, 5 petals...
view the full question and answer
Identity of large, sunflower-like plant
November 13, 2011 - We are trying to figure out the identity of a large, sunflower-like plant. It is a perennial that sends out approximately 10-12 stalks about 10 feet high. It then starts to bloom with small sunflowe...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |