Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_42.gif)
Monday - June 01, 2009
From: Oologah, OK
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm trying to identify a bush/shrub that is approx. 6 ft. with leaves like an azalea but has orange hot air balloon shaped balls that turn to small orange flowers. Blooming now in May. Dies back each year and grows to be about 15' or larger. No scent, but balls are unusual and I've only seen 2. Growing in N.E. Oklahoma and would like to find how to grow. Thank You.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants hasn't found any native plant with that description. The only plant that comes to mind that somewhat fits that description is Punica granatum (pomegranate), a native of Asia. Here are more photos. They are often used as a landscape plant and also cultivated for their fruit. Here is more information. If this isn't the plant you are looking for, I am afraid we are going to need photos to identify it. Please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page to find the instructions for submitting photos.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification
September 29, 2008 - My parents have a plant growing that we can not identify. Fast growing to 6 ft in 6 weeks. theleaves look like a fern with little sweet pea looking yellow blooms. The plants leaves fold up at dusk tig...
view the full question and answer
Winterberry holly not fruiting
October 22, 2009 - Regarding Ilex verticillata, which I have planted in a partial sun, somewhere between all dry and all wet location, i don't see any red berries, and it's mid-october. We are in the 'burbs of just ...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from San Anselmo CA
June 12, 2012 - I have a spreading ground cover that no one has been able to ID in years of searching. I have taken photos of flower and foliage.
I want to ID to try to improve site conditions and increase covera...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a vine with red berries in Weatherford, Texas
October 17, 2014 - I have found a vine with red berries that I would appreciate an ID for. How can I send you a photo or two of it?
view the full question and answer
Help identify a plant.
February 21, 2008 - Could you help me to identify this plant?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |