Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - May 29, 2008
From: Rio Vista , CA
Region: California
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: What is it?
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have two bushes about three ft. high that have narrow leaves that are about one to two inches long and glossy green on top side with soft green on back. They are fairly close together on stems with the bushy blossoms grouped at end. The blossoms are about the length of the leaves and are made up of dozens and dozens of tiny trumpet shaped blooms that fade from light lavender to purple. What is it? Thank youANSWER:
Especially since you are in California, where there is such incredible plant diversity, we can't even hazard a guess on this one, but we'd love to know what it is, too. Please go to the Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page and, in the lower right-hand corner under "Plant Identification," there are instructions for e-mailing us a picture.More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification of tree with white blossoms in Fort Worth
March 17, 2010 - Live in Fort Worth, TX. Any idea what are trees blooming this week (3/18), with white blossoms and an oval green leaf about the size of a half dollar? The bark looks like an oak.
view the full question and answer
Poison ivy in Hilliard OH?
June 15, 2009 - I found a plant with five jagged leaves growing close to the ground in the trees of Ohio. Is this poison ivy or a similar plant?
view the full question and answer
Who was Salvia clevelandii named for?
May 12, 2009 - Where does the term "clevelandii (as in the Salvia I recently saw for the first time) originate?
view the full question and answer
Identity of shrubs in Austin neighborhood
September 30, 2013 - I have run across two beautiful bushes in our neighborhood. They have flowering branches that daisy-chain out like a fountain. No one can tell me what they are. They are located in front and on the ...
view the full question and answer
Identifcation of fragrant, white camellia-like flower
August 04, 2008 - My friend describes a beautiful, unusual smelling flower. It was a white camellia-like bloom, but was not a camellia. It was flowering in June or July in the Alabama and Mississippi region. It had ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |