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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| Is there a vine in Indiana with poisonous thorns? December 27, 2011 I was cut at the left big toe by a brownish/red thorny vine while tracking thru dry grass near the bridge exiting 278. I'm from Indianapolis, in 46208. Was wondering if I was exposed to a poisonous v... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are buckbrush (coralberry) berries poisonous? December 20, 2011 Are the berries on buckbrush (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) poisonous to humans? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing non-invasive shrub for privacy fence in Sugar Land TX December 06, 2011 I live in South Texas in Sugar Land. I was going to plant oleanders in my backyard along the fence as a privacy hedge, about 20 feet from my house. However, I was told they were a bad choice becaus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| North American Plants with Poisonous Thorns December 01, 2011 Are there any plants in North America that possess poisonous thorns? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| poisonous landscaping plants in New Mexico November 21, 2011 Mr. Smarty Plants, I have been given the task of finding non poisonous plants and shrubbery to add to our new children's playground. This is a Head Start playground so I have to make sure anything w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a cucumber-like vine with fruit November 16, 2011 We found tiny, grape-size white melon-like fruit on a vine, with tomato-like/cucumber-like seeds. The leaves on the vine were similar to grape or cucumber leaves, but not spiny. They were behind our... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| How toxic are milkweed (Asclepias spp.)? November 01, 2011 We are considering a monarch waystation for our local elementary and are concerned about milkweed toxicity. Would it be safe to plant it in reach of children? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Comment on poisonous sweet pea plant from Kalama WA October 29, 2011 No question, comment only. I am aware of the story of Christopher McCandless (Call of the Wild)and the belief that he was poisoned by ingesting part of the sweet pea plant; however I am curious what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shrubs that non-toxic to horses but that they won't eat October 29, 2011 I am looking for a low maintenance, low water, green shrub that horses won't eat and will not be toxic to them. I want to hide my neighbors corral and keep down dust on my side. The horses have "l... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Lantana induced rash October 20, 2011 What should I use for a rash caused by a Lantana scratch on my arm View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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