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)
Friday - October 23, 2009
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Plant identification and seed source
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
We drove to Fredricksburg this Saturday the 17th and beginning at about Dripping Springs there is a very showy bright yellow wildflower that is so pretty. It probably is about 2' tall. Would love to know the name and where I can get some seed. Thank you.ANSWER:
Our wildflower ID expert, Joe Marcus, happened to be driving that route only yesterday and he saw a very showy display of Verbesina encelioides (golden crownbeard or cowpen daisy) so we feel pretty certain that is what you saw. You can find seeds for sale from Native American Seed in Junction.
There are a couple of other possibilities if that doesn't look like the plant you saw:
1. Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian sunflower) also has seed available from Native American Seed.
2. One of the goldenrod species such as Solidago nemoralis (gray goldenrod) with seeds available from Native American Seed.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Sources for Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera)
September 21, 2006 - I live in Alvin, Texas. I am looking for a small shade tree,
that is easy to care for. I only have a small area for the
tree. Alvin, Texas is about 30 miles from Galveston.
I saw a wax myrtle tre...
view the full question and answer
Source of seeds for Penstemon murrayanus
April 20, 2005 - Is it possible to obtain seeds of Penstemon murrayanus? I'd like to contribute to the propagation of this threatened species.
view the full question and answer
American basswood in Austin
June 07, 2009 - Where can I purchase a fledgling linden tree in Austin?
view the full question and answer
Resources for wildlife garden in Maryland
September 10, 2007 - I've recently bought a home in Cambridge in Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I want my small garden to have native plants that will sustain birds, butterflies and visiting wildlife. ...
view the full question and answer
Finding bloom time on "Explore Plants" feature of website
February 27, 2007 - In using your 'Explore Plants' feature, I have noticed that you can search for plants according to their bloom time, but when looking at a specific species' page, I have not been able to discover t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |