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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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Thursday - April 12, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Removing invasive Dichelostemma firecracker plant from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We have dichelostemma firecracker plant & cannot kill it. We need help in getting rid of this plant. Spent another 3 hours digging up corms this afternoon. It is invading our backyard & want it killed out!!!

ANSWER:

We just, like this morning, answered the very same question. I thought it was from the same person, who had gotten tired of waiting for us to answer, but that one was from Cleburne TX and you are from Austin, so apparently wherever this plant is coming from, it is invasive. Please read the previous answer, because I don't think the name you are giving it is what it is, neither was the other one. Be sure you know what you have and we will try to help you.

In your case, we would refer you to the Texas Agrilife Extension Service for Travis County.

 

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