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

Thursday - October 03, 2013
From: Cosby, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification, Shrubs
Title: Plant identification of thorny shrub in Tennessee
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a mid to dark green thorny type bush growing on my land in Cosby, Tennessee. I am originaly from NJ and I have never seen it before. The stalk is varigated and the thorns are plentiful and very large. Thank you in advance for your help.ANSWER:
This sound a bit like Poncirus trifoliata (Trifoliate orange), an Asian native that is considered invasive. It does have formidable long thorns on it.
There are several hawthorns that are native to Tennessee. Here are four of them:
Crataegus flava (Summer hawthorn) Here are photos and more information from Plants for a Future.
Crataegus phaenopyrum (Washington hawthorn)
Crataegus spathulata (Littlehip hawthorn)
Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur hawthorn)
Here is a list of all 39 of the Crataegus species on our database. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to see the 14 that grow in Tennessee.
Ribes cynosbati (Eastern prickly gooseberry)
Smilax rotundifolia (Roundleaf greenbrier) Here are photos from Vanderbilt University.
Smilax tamnoides (Bristly greenbrier) Here are photos from DiscoverLife.org.
Zanthoxylum americanum (Common pricklyash) Here are more photos from Iowa State University.
Aralia spinosa (Devil's walkingstick)
Maclura pomifera (Osage orange)
There are several species of roses (Rosa sp.) and blackberrie/raspberries (Rubus sp.)
If none of these appears to be the thorny shrub that you have seen, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Deer Resistant and Drought Tolerant Pink-Flowering Shrub for Austin, TX
April 15, 2013 - Is there a pink-flowering bush that is deer resistant and drought tolerant that would do well in Austin, TX? If not pink flowering, any color of a flowering bush is fine.
view the full question and answer
Drought Resistant Privacy Screen for North Side of Austin Texas House
July 10, 2016 - We live in the densely populated Mueller development, where there's barely 3 feet from our home to the 6 foot high privacy fence between us and the house next door. Since the houses are 2 stories, we ...
view the full question and answer
Wind and erosion tolerant plants from Austin
August 05, 2013 - I recently cleared a fire break by removing cedar from around my home in West Austin. I'd like to plant the exposed NW facing slope with native shrubs and trees. Looking for selections that can wit...
view the full question and answer
Small evergreen shrubs for part shade in Texas
January 31, 2015 - Mr. Smarty Pants,
I'm, for some reason, at odds with myself about a shrub decision. I have need about 8 ft of hedge-like evergreen shrub(s) that I can maintain around 4ft to go under a window. It...
view the full question and answer
Failure to thrive of Lantanas
August 06, 2008 - Here at work we have 4 beautiful yellow Santanas(should I say had), the leaves have started to turn brown and no longer blooming. Appears to have a fungus or disease.
Please help!
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |