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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| Report on object glowing in tree in New Hampshire August 04, 2013 Hello again Mr Smartpants. I commented about a purple glow coming from a tree in previous comments. Since then they have multiplied and are spreading to different trees. We believe we may have it narr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of night-glowing object in tree in New Hampshire August 02, 2013 I know this sounds crazy but last night when my husband stepped outside he noticed a purplish glow in one of the trees. At first he thought some kind of animal but when throwing a rock at it it did no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of plant in South Carolina with tiny purple flowers August 02, 2013 I found a plant while walking my dogs. I live in South Carolina. The plant gets maybe a foot tall, has a square stem and the top of plant is a candelabra with timy purple flowers in it. What is this... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of shrub with pink catalpa-like flowers July 31, 2013 Ironically, this plant is growing on a hill behind a nursery. We are all curious what it could be..I've done internet searches for 2 days. My best guess is that it's in the catalpa family, but it's... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of shrub/small tree with small purple fruit July 31, 2013 Hi! I have a tree/bush that has come up on its own in the backyard. This year it set what looks like small purple plums. Is there any chance that they might be poisonous? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification of plant with leaves like poison ivy July 30, 2013 I would like to identify a plant whose leaves look like poison ivy, but the stem is white and has thorns. It is not thready. It was prevalent in overgrown garden beds of a house in Litchfield, CT. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive spreading weed in Michigan that looks like a small pine tree July 29, 2013 I have an invasive spreading weed in my gardens. It has black root system, comes up looking like a small pine tree. The green breaks off when you try to pull it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of small "Pitcher" plants growing in backyard July 25, 2013 I have small pitcher plants growing in the grass in my backyard. Looks like very dark cobra. Come every summer when very hot. They are about 4 or 5 inches from base to tip of hood. I have a pic. le... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plant identification July 22, 2013 I've lived at my apartment complex for a year now and this current spring/summer I noticed the grounds keeper leaving a fern like plant that is approx. 1-2 feet tall and approx. 1 foot wide. It's le... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID from The Woodlands TX July 22, 2013 Your plant database does not distinguish 2 native tree species. Common names for these 2 trees: American hophornbeam and ironwood or musclewood. These common names are used for both trees - even m... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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