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.
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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.
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Friday - July 22, 2011
From: Waco, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco, TX.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I am looking for the tallest okra stalk in Waco,Texas. Back in the 1950s, it was in the Waco paper but I can't find it. My Grandfather's name was Robert W. Goss of Waco, and he had his picture taken with that stalk. Thank you for your helpANSWER:
Well Mr. Smarty Plants can tell you that okra (Hibiscus esculentus) is a member of the Mallow family and closely related to cotton and Hibiscus. However, it is a non-native, and we wouldn’t expect to find a picture of it in our Image Gallery.
I have been in touch with the Genealogy Library in Waco, and they told me they would contact you via e-mail to get more details to help them with their search. Hopefully you will soon have the picture of this tall okra plant with your grandfather.
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