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_21.gif)
Wednesday - July 08, 2009
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Vine like blackberry with 3 leaves & thorns in Florida
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What vine looks like a blackberry vine but has three leaves and thorns?ANSWER:
We took a look at Toxicodendron radicans (eastern poison ivy), which has 3 leaves and old vines have a hairy appearance, but not thorns. We also looked at some of the briars, including Mimosa microphylla (littleleaf sensitive-briar). The briars all seem to have pinnate leaves, but they do have thorns. Another possibility is Smilax bona-nox (saw greenbrier), but it doesn't appear to have three leaves together. So, unless it's one of those, we're stumped. Please go to our Mr. Smarty Plants Plant Identification page, and follow the instructions for submitting a photo, with information on where the plant was found, etc. After we receive that, we'll try to identify the plant.
More Vines Questions
Few blooms on native Bignonia capriolata (cross-vine)
March 25, 2008 - I have an 8-year-old crossvine that has grown and bloomed beautifully until this year. During the winter it lost all of its lower leaves. What leaves were left had brownish-red splotches on them. It h...
view the full question and answer
Plants that smell like chocolate from Coral Gables FL
July 12, 2012 - I am looking for plants that smell like chocolate. I live in south Florida. We are currently growing and testing Berlandiera lyrata. Do you know of other plants whose flowers smell like chocolate?
view the full question and answer
How to propagate Clematis texensis in Austin, TX?
May 14, 2012 - How do I propagate a Clematis texensis Buckl. Scarlet leatherflower from the seed pod?
view the full question and answer
Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
view the full question and answer
Jelly from wild grapes with a few peppervine berries from Dunnellon FL
August 20, 2010 - Thank you for your quick response to my question. Due to your answer, I am going to make jelly from this juice.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |