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
Monday - September 23, 2013
From: Perkasie, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of plant growing with purchased plant
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I purchased a heurchera and there was another plant that was growing in the pot with it. I planted both together in my garden. The "other" plant is growing and none of the gardeners around here has any idea what it is. I can send you a picture but wasn't sure how to attach to this submission. It's leaves kind of look like a hosta but there is this weird pod that has grown and now there are small yellow flower that are starting to come out of the pod. It looks like it might be a tropical. I'm concerned because I'm wondering if I should bring it in for the winter. Thank you, LaurieANSWER:
Since the plant came with a plant that you purchased I suspect it is NOT a North American native (our area of focus and expertise) but an introduced cultivar and not something that will be in our database nor that we could easily identify. Additionally, we do not have a means to attach photos to questions. Please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plant for purposes of identification.
More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of bush/vine with purple berries
August 09, 2014 - I was clearing fence line and came across this plant it looks like a Bush but underneath grows like a vine it has long broad leaves that reminded me of Polk salad but it grows berry clusters the berri...
view the full question and answer
Identity of yellow thistle-like plant
June 01, 2011 - Dear Mr.Smarty Plants,
I see this flower along the road but I can't seem to find it on your website. It looks like a yellow thistle and it is a panicle and a head. It is about a foot tall. Do you kn...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification from Tamaqua PA
August 08, 2010 - I live in PA, have a plant growing in my geranium planter,
was told it was a moonflower, but it is not a vine.
The flower is a white trumpet, six star, with purple in the middle. leaves look like ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification, possibly genus Lonicera
September 30, 2007 - My friend found a plant growing in her timber (in Iowa). It has round green leaves with groups of green balls (seed pods?) growing in the center of the leaves. The stems appear to attach to the cente...
view the full question and answer
Flower with spike of yellow flowers with hairy purple filaments
July 03, 2012 - Fuzzy purple stamens! I can't find this plant identified anywhere. Blooms abt 1" or a little more across. 5 yellow petals, 5 sepals, & 5 stamens with yellow anthers, & the filaments are covered wi...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |