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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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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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| topic | question | |
| History of hybrid Hibiscus Davis Creek from Cary NC August 22, 2010 Re: Hibiscus Davis Creek. Can you tell me this hybrid's history? H. coccineus H. militaris perhaps? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What does spp. stand for in Paspalum spp? From Arlington, TX. August 11, 2010 What does the spp stand for when talking about Paspalum spp? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Clarification for botanical (Latin) names for Herbertia June 17, 2010 I am looking for a clarification of scientific names. In the classic wildflower book 'Wildflowers of Texas' the author, Geyata Ajilvsgi, attributes the plant Herbertia with the name Alophia drummon... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wild Native Hybrids and Cultivars? June 14, 2010 It is my understanding that hybrids can occur with or without human intervention whereas cultivars always involve human intervention. Strictly speaking does this mean native wildflowers can never be ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Burn the wetlands June 02, 2010 Can the wetlands of Louisiana that have been soaked in oil be burned? I am a native plant gardener in the midwest. Burning is a natural process in the prairie. Southerners are not used to this and ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Albinism in plants. May 16, 2010 Greetings, I was wondering what you know of albinism in plants? I know I've found a few articles about it online. I discovered my only albino plant last summer. It was an albino dogbane plant grow... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trillium phototropism May 16, 2010 I'm SURE you haven't had this question before. I live in northern Michigan in a wooded subdivision where we have clouds of wild grandiflorum trilliums growing in the woods on either side of the roa... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How do Venus flytraps really work? May 13, 2010 How do venus flytraps *really* work? I've read it has something to do with the hairs in their "mouth," but is there a chemical reaction going on? A physical "trigger"? Help me understand the Venu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Project on natives in Connecticut from Chino CA April 13, 2010 Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, My 10 yr. old daughter is doing a project on Ct., and would like to know what the most common plants, trees and flowers are found in this state. A few of each would be a great ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Why is my 3 year old Redbud not flowering in San Marcos, TX? March 24, 2010 My Cercis canadensis var. mexicana, purchased at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, is 3 years old, very robust, but has never bloomed. Any explanation? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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