Native Plants
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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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Tuesday - July 01, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Trees
Title: Tan, rough, fan-shaped growth on mountain laurels
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
A tan rough fan-shaped "something" is growing at the end of the mountain laurel branch where the flowers would be .. what is it and can it harm the plant?ANSWER:
The growths that you are seeing are called fasciations. Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel) seems particularly susceptible to this growth anomaly. Here is a discussion about fasciation from a recent question to Mr. Smarty Plants. They aren't harmful to the tree—just fascinating fasciations!
From the Image Gallery
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Need to know about little brown spots on Texas Mountain Laurel
May 11, 2015 - I have little brown spots on my Texas Mountain Laurel leaves. I can email you a picture if needed. What could it be and how can I help my little laurels work thru these spots?
The texas mountain ...
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Oak sap dripping on driveway in Austin
November 06, 2011 - Why would oak sap be dripping on driveway at this time when other oaks the neighbors have are not.
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Root rot and transplant shock in Texas betony
July 13, 2006 - Texas betony is supposed to be drought resistant but also likes to be kept moist, but I have had trouble getting it established. These seem to be undemanding plants I have had entire stems dry up and...
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Problems with giant coneflower in Richardson TX
June 05, 2010 - Dear Mr Smarty Plants-
I have had a giant coneflower in my garden for 2 years now. This year it came up like it always had..got lots of leaves and then withered..turned brown and died. It got plent...
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Prickly pear doing poorly on Long Island NY
December 27, 2012 - First, thanks for your reply on 11-3-12, re.Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY. The plants were set before a southern window in the attic, temp. ra...
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