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.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Difference between Erigeron strigosus and E. annuus July 07, 2011 How can you tell the difference between Erigeron strigosus or Erigeron annuus. Does one have more flowers on it than the other? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery tree in Ontario July 06, 2011 I found a tree (similar to an apple tree in blossom) in a shaded area by a stream on our property. I have never seen anything like it. It is again, like an apple branch with the blossoms, however, t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a vine with purple flowers July 06, 2011 I'm trying to identify a vine-like plant growing in my yard to determine if it is a weed or should be kept around. It has small purple flowers with a small yellow center, looking like a mini honeysuc... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of vine in Louisiana July 06, 2011 I have two vines in my backyard. I've looked at pictures of each and they both keep coming up "virginia creeper." However, both are different. Neither causes an allergic reaction. One has leaflets ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of shrub with thorns and purple flowers July 05, 2011 I have a small tree or shrub, it has very small or thin thorns on the branches. It blooms in April / May. The flowers are purple. My mother-in-law said that it has been around for over 100 years, b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for Montana June 30, 2011 I am in forestry and work by Flathead Lake MT. I came across a wildflower and cannot I.D. it. Two come close..the Low Larkspur and Mountain Bog Gentian. It is blue/purple, 5 rounded petals, leaves are... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant Identification June 29, 2011 I live in east Austin Texas, close to Manor. I was pulling a particular "weed" out of the cracks of my driveway on 06-12-11. This weed has always reminded me of moss rose, but the flowers are not as... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Smoketree not flowering in Beverly Hills CA June 29, 2011 Why is my Smoke tree not flowering? It is big and the leaves are beautiful but no blooms. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Learning to identify native plants in backyard June 28, 2011 Please let me know how a layman like myself can identify native plants in my backyard. I don't know the plant names and don't know if they are dicots or any other technical terms (that some websites... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 27, 2011 I have a plant my Dad had found years ago. Last of April a stem with bulb shaped bottom. May 6-stem opened and folded back exposing spotted inside of leaf. Bottom had yellow pollen? and green stem 2+ ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 25, 2011 I see a previous question from Ohio on this plant, so I will copy the description and try to submit photos. "A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of a trillium in New Jersey June 23, 2011 I have several Trillium grown from one seed source. The plant looks like Trillium cuneatum, but unlike that plant, the stems of these plants -- which seed freely in my Northwest New Jersey garden -- l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant Identification June 23, 2011 I live in Alaska and have TEENY cute 5 petaled white flowers growing on my lawn. They are very short, maybe 2 inches in height. The flower is about 1/2 inch wide. They look like a perfect tiny daisy. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| More information about Trillium in New Jersey June 23, 2011 Hi, Nan. FYI. The Trillium seeds in question came from the State of Alabama. If you have an interest in seeing photos of this Trillium and two others in my garden, which are different and which I be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Wildflowers that grow in woodlands June 22, 2011 Please tell me the names of wildflowers that grow under your oak trees in Texas. I am only familiar with those open meadow plants, not those that live under the deciduous trees. Thank you for your t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 19, 2011 I am trying to identify a flowering plant I saw today in Houston. Its leaves are green and it produces beautiful flowers with 4 petals that kind of remind me of a pinwheel. The petals are about 2 inch... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 18, 2011 Hello- I would like to know what is this plant? It grows in part to full sun over a large area; gray fuzzy, quilted, pointed leaves. It is now about 6-10" tall plants but there are untrimmed 24-3... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 17, 2011 I have an area of some plants growing wild in woods behind my house. It will creep onto adjoining plants and has a delicate lavender colored flower that is curled up similar to a sweetpea, has a very ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 17, 2011 There is a sweet pea like vine that grows along the road in NC. IT is pink and looks much like a sweet pea. What is it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 16, 2011 I have a photo of a shrubby plant with large spines. Is there a way for me to attach it? I'm having trouble identifying it. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for Westcave Preserve June 16, 2011 Green greetings! In the canyon at Westcave Preserve last month, I saw a plant I don't know: low, broadish leaves (with rounded edges as I recall); very tall, delicate stems with tiny white flowers sp... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification June 15, 2011 I have a plant similar to sheepshire. It has red leaves and yellow blooms exactly like the green variety. We brought it here to Oklahoma from Wyoming. I would like to know what it's called and where ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification in Parker County, Texas June 14, 2011 Hi. Growing alongside a country road, here in Parker County I photographed what I thought might be cardinal flowers. However, in searching books and on the net, I cannot find any quite like these. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification June 11, 2011 This plant will grow 12-15 feet or more in height in the rural areas of Ellis County south of Dallas. In a fractal manner, stems grow out of the stalk and then from the stems. The leaves are green, th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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