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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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Monday - July 28, 2014

From: Lebanon, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: General Botany, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Is Viburnum rufidulum monoecious or dioecious? Your database does not address this for most plants.

ANSWER:

According to the chart in Tree Sex: Gender & Reproductive Strategies from Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Viburnum rufidulum (Rusty blackhaw viburnum) is neither monoecious (male and female reproductive structures on the same plant but in separate flowers) or dioecious (male and female reproductive structures on separate plants).  It is cosexual or hermaphroditic (male and female structures together in the same flower).

 

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