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
Tuesday - April 12, 2005
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Differentiating between Spiraea betulifolia and Spiraea japonica
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
How can I tell the difference between Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa (an imperiled species) and Spiraea japonica (an invasive species) in the wild? They both seem to be the same size, color, habit, etc.ANSWER:
There are a couple ways to distinguish Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa from Spiraea japonica. Unfortunately, there are also some pitfalls in these distinctions! In general, our native spirea is white-flowering (occasionally lightly blushed pink), while S. japonica is typically pink to rose-red flowered. The exceptions are uncommon, but can make positive identification difficult. The leaves of S. betulifolia var. corymbosa are broadly ovate to oblong or obovate, between 4 and 7 cm long and usually less than twice as long as wide. If you are not familiar with botanical terminology think, "arrowhead shaped". Spiraea japonica leaves are lanceolate or lance-ovate, between 8 and 15 cm long and 2.5 to 5 cm wide, or typically more than twice as long as wide. Think, "spearpoint or lancehead shaped". Further, the toothed edge of Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa usually extends only from the leaf tip to 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of the leaf toward the base, while the toothed edge of S. japonica leaves typically extend nearly to their base. Spiraea japonica escapes from cultivation and can often be found growing in the wild. To further complicate matters, the many cultivars of S. japonica can confuse identification.More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of plant with seed heads like goat head
February 17, 2013 - Sir,
I collected some bizarre seed heads from some rough weeds around a stock tank in SE New Mexico. They resemble goat heads, with two long curving horns. I have photos but couldn't figure out how ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 27, 2008 - A friend brought back pictures of plants from a recent trip which included the center. It didn't have an identification sign on it and no one was around at that moment for him to ask. I can send th...
view the full question and answer
Difference between invasive Chinese and Japanese wisterias and native wisteria
September 12, 2014 - Dear Mr or Ms Smarty Plants,
Is there any way I can tell for sure if my wisteria is native? I bought it at a place when it was in bloom that sold a lot of native plants. I Would like to know for sure...
view the full question and answer
Identity of an Astragalus species near Terlingua, TX
May 14, 2013 - I have been photographing as many of the wildflowers that I can this Spring 2013 season here in the Big Bend Area between BBNP, Terlingua and Alpine, TX. Two days ago I took a drive from Terlingua to ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 19, 2008 - Hi, I live in South West Michigan and there is this plant I can't figure out. It has oval leaves in a row on each side of its stems, large thorns, and when the plant is grown it has what seems to be...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |