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
Friday - July 06, 2007
From: Knowlesville, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Possible identification of common mullein in New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
OK I have a monster size plant, growing beside my patio, looked weedlike similar to a burdock when young, but different and interesting. So we let it grow its now about 7'2" tall grows about 2-3" per day (esp. the flower mass on top). Topped with a phallic like flower mass with green buds and small yellow flowers. Leaves are broad +/- 6" wide and 18" long, burdock green. Many smaller offshoots of the flowering phallic like masses many at bases of the leaves.ANSWER:
Hmmm...very interesting! One plant that comes to Mr. Smarty Plant's mind is Verbascum thapsus, common mullein, although the description doesn't match exactly. Missouri Plants has more photos and information. If this isn't your plant, we would be happy to try to identify it if you will send us a photo. Please read the instructions for submitting photos under Plant Identification on the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page.More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of yellow flowers in Wisconsin
June 19, 2012 - We have plants near Madison, Wisconsin that some call lanceleaf coreoposis however I believe they are some type of invasive species. They have yellow flowers, seem to spread by seed. and don't grown ...
view the full question and answer
Identity of plant in South Carolina with tiny purple flowers
August 02, 2013 - I found a plant while walking my dogs. I live in South Carolina. The plant gets maybe a foot tall, has a square stem and the top of plant is a candelabra with timy purple flowers in it. What is this...
view the full question and answer
Searching for a dye made from a French weed
June 09, 2009 - Dear Mr smarty plants, I watched a gardening show on cable and they talked about a place in France where they use a weed called Wod to make dye and dye fabric and several other items to sell. It was ...
view the full question and answer
How to solve a search problem on the Native Plant Database!
July 01, 2014 - When I use the LBJ Wildflower Center's Plant Identification Guide, it ALWAYS comes up with no results. It also ALWAYS comes up with Family: Acanthaceae. Could this be why NO question EVERY produces A...
view the full question and answer
Identity of fast growing vine in San Francisco
March 20, 2016 - Really need to know what kind of vine is growing rapidly in the garden. Can't find out in plant identification: started to grow profusely after rainfall. Grows at rate of 6-8" per day (!). Has ivy-l...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |