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?

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

Friday - November 08, 2013

From: Jackson, TN
Region: Select Region
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of a vine in Tennessee
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am trying to identify a vine growing on the ground under what looks to be a holly bush. I have pictures of it if there is an email I can send them to? Thank You!!!!

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants would love to be able to offer a native plant identification service by looking at your photos.  Several years ago we did this but were so overwhelmed with requests that we had to stop—we didn't have enough staff or volunteers to do that AND answer all the question Mr. Smarty Plants receives as well.   I have two suggestions that might help you find the identity of your vine:

1.   On our Native Plant Database page do a COMBINATION SEARCH by choosing "Tennessee" from the Select State or Province option and "Vine" from Habit (General Appearance).   This will give you a list of more than 70 native vines that you can scroll through.   Most have photos with them.

2.  Go to our Plant Identification page where you will find links to several plant identification forums that accept photos of plants for identification.  Be sure to read the "Important Notes" for submission of photos to any of these forums.

 

More Plant Identification Questions

Identity of fleshy three-leaved vine in Central Texas
June 20, 2015 - I have a 3 leaved evergreen vine, that I assume is a central Texas native, growing in my yard in a non irrigated mostly shady spot. It has a strong odor when touched and looks and feels like a succule...
view the full question and answer

The most common wildflower in the United States
July 29, 2014 - What is the most common wildflower in the United States?
view the full question and answer

How to tell the difference between native and non-native thistles
March 13, 2013 - It's thistle time already. There are many plants in the aster family with thistle in their common name. Are "real" thistles only those in the genus Cirsium, or are there others as well? We are tryi...
view the full question and answer

Identification of pale blue flower near Big Bend, TX
March 14, 2013 - I have looked almost everywhere in order to ID this bloom with no luck. Some blooms do arrive close but not quite. I live just outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. On a hike into Dog Ca...
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

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