Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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Friday - October 26, 2007
From: Utopia, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of plant, probably Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworths eryngo)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
burr like bloom shaped like small pineapple,purple in color,grows in a cluster on single stem,dries wellANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants assumes you want to know what this plant is. From your description it sounds like Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworth's eryngo). Surprisingly, despite its resemblance to them, it isn't one of thistles which are in the Family Asteraceae (Aster Family). It is, instead, in the Family Apiaceae (Carrot Family). You are right, it does dry well and is beautiful in dried flower arrangements.
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