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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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
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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Sunday - December 06, 2009
From: Marshall, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identfication
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I found a shrub I like because of the black fruit that birds like to eat but I don't know what it is. It looks similar to a blackhaw but the edges of the leaves are smooth not jagged. The fruit is a black velvet soft oval berry. Is it a Viburnum Blackhaw or something else?ANSWER:
Please send us photos of the plant with close ups of the leaves and their arrangement on the branch, a close up of of the fruit and its location on the shrub, and also a photo of the overall plant and we will do our very best to identify it. Please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page to read more about the instructions for submitting photos.More Plant Identification Questions
Plant with no leaves, flexible and stores water
January 09, 2009 - Do you now a plant that has no leaves but stores a lot of water and is very flexible? Maybe a type of vine?
Thank you!
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October 30, 2008 - Hi. I took a picture of a plant/wildflower at Reimer's Ranch near Dripping SPrings and have been unable to identify it. I searched through the plant database but am having difficulty. Can I send y...
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Plant identification--vine with spiny pods in California
July 05, 2010 - I came across a vine while hiking in Orange County, CA. It didn't have flowers on it but has 3 or 4 inch spiny pods. What is it? The vine itself looks similar to a Morning Glory vine.
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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...
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Is there a red esperanza (Tecoma stans)?
October 06, 2011 - There is a red esperanza that I pass by everyday on my way home from work. I have never seen this plant anywhere but this particular spot. Is there really a variety that is red or do you think it is...
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