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)
Tuesday - October 27, 2015
From: Center Point, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Herbs/Forbs
Title: What is the black stuff growing on my thoroughwort?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
What is the black stuff on my thoroughwort plant's leaves that is killing the plant?ANSWER:
There are several species of plants that have the common name of thouroughwort, and I suppose most of them are susceptible to this “black stuff” that is probably an infection of sooty mold.
The sooty mold is a fungus that is living on the honey dew on the leaves which is excreted by aphids and other sap-sucking insects living on the plants such as scale. As honeydew is excreted by the sucking insects, it becomes airborne and falls and coats any surface upon which it lands in the area.
I'm including three links that will tell you more about aphids, honey dew, and sooty mold.
aphids, UC IPM
Sooty mold, UC IPM
Sooty mold, USDA
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Bulging trunks on post oak
August 05, 2011 - I have a huge post oak with a codominant trunk that is bulging between the two main trunks. The bulging is causing the trunks to spread apart, so one of the trunks is getting much too close to the ho...
view the full question and answer
Need help with my 25 yr old Mountain Ash in Clinton Township, MI.
July 11, 2011 - For the first time our 25yr old mountain ash tree has dying branches, we removed one branch and it seems to have spread to other branches? What should we do?
view the full question and answer
Fungal root rot in non-native Shasta daisies in Channahon IL
July 21, 2009 - HELP! My Shasta daisies have fungal root rot. Is there any way to save them? I've been removing the browned stems. I'm so sad.
view the full question and answer
Possible causes for plant problems in East Texas
September 06, 2007 - I have been an avid gardener for over 35 years in Texas.I love the wildflowers and use them extensively in my 2 acre plot here in East Texas. There is something really bad going on with my garden: pl...
view the full question and answer
Red maple a casualty of Hurricane Ike in Houston
November 21, 2009 - We have a 3 year old Drummond Red Maple, between the sidewalk and the street in front of our house, that fell during Hurricane Ike. We replanted it. I recently noticed that the bark is severely cracke...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |