Native Plants
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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.
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Sunday - September 21, 2008
From: Wauconda, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Plant identification of vine with purple fruit
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Illinois: I have a vine, red stems purple fruit with grape like clusters (sweet.hope it wasn't poisonous)What is it?ANSWER:
Here are some possibilities for your vine:Ampelopsis arborea (peppervine)
Ampelopsis cordata (heartleaf peppervine)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)
and there are four species of grape in Illinois:
Vitis labrusca (fox grape) and photos
Vitis riparia (riverbank grape) and photos
Vitis rupestris (sand grape) and photos
Vitis vulpina (frost grape) and photos
If none of these is your vine, then please take photos and send them to us and we will do our best to identify it. Visit the Mr. Smarty Plants Plant Identification page to read the instructions for submitting photos.
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Unusual vine in San Diego County, California
May 12, 2012 - Dear Mr. or Ms. Smarty Pants,
I came across an unusual vine winding through a young Zumaque growing off the edge of a mesa in San Diego (coastal sage scrub). The small (fingernail-sized)leaves rough...
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December 09, 2008 - Hi I am looking for a climbing plant which is native to Maryland. I want the plant to climb up the front of the house to assist with cooling in summer and to make the house look more attractive. I wou...
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June 14, 2009 - I'm looking for a gift for my brother, living in San Antonio. He loves the native honeysuckle that we both remember from our childhoods. I think I'd like to get him a honeysuckle bush rather than ...
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