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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Thursday - March 14, 2013
From: Terlingua, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Identification of pale blue flower near Big Bend, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have looked almost everywhere in order to ID this bloom with no luck. Some blooms do arrive close but not quite. I live just outside of Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX. On a hike into Dog Canyon we encountered a light blue bloom. One bloom per thin grassy stalk. The closest resemblance of the bloom is of Phlox. However, bloom is a very baby blue. The pistil and stamen stand upright prominently in the center of the flower. Bloom has five petals and is also cupped and each petal comes to a subtle point. There is no separation or space between the petals but overlap the one next to it. I have a photo if there was a way I could send it. Soil is sandy next to a dry wash. Bloom was in November.ANSWER:
Here are some possibilities for your plant. All of the suggested plants below have been recorded in or near Big Bend National Park. Some are only vaguely similar to your description but I thought I should offer you some choices. I hope that one of them is the plant you saw. If not, please visit our Plant Identification page for links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
Giliastrum insigne (Marked gilia) Here are more photos from Polyploid.net taken on Dog Canyon Trail in Big Bend National Park.
Giliastrum incisum (Split-leaf gilia) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network.
Giliastrum acerosum (Bluebowls) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network.
Nemastylis tenuis (Southwestern pleatleaf) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network and from Arizona Biodiversity Image Gallery.
Linum lewisii var. lewisii (Blue flax) Here are more photos from California Academy of Sciences.
Bouchea linifolia (Flaxleaf bouchea) Here are more photos from Southwest Environmental Information Network.
Bonamia ovalifolia (Bigpod lady's nightcap) Here are photos from Angelo State University and from Houston Advanced Research Center Gulf Coast Portal.
Omphalodes aliena (Mexican navelwort) Here are photos from the TAMU Repository of Vascular Plant Photos.
Ruellia nudiflora (Violet ruellia) Here are more photos from University of Texas School of Biological Sciences' Archive of Central Texas Plants.
Sisyrinchium demissum (Stiff blue-eyed grass) Here are more photos from Western New Mexico University and Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers.
Solanum triquetrum (Texas nightshade) Here are more photos from University of Texas School of Biological Sciences' Archive of Central Texas Plants.
Below are photos from our Image Gallery of some of the plants above.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Information about Erigeron annuus and Erigeron philadelphicus
January 10, 2015 - Hi!
I am looking for information about the specific leaf area of Erigeron annuus and Erigeron philadelphicus. Do you know of anyone who is working with any these species, who might be able to provide...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for shade from Atlanta GA
May 28, 2012 - I am looking for recommendations for a ground cover. I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and have a large shady slope on which I would like to use low maintenance/water native ground cover. What wou...
view the full question and answer
Compatibility of mixed ground covers with St. Agustine grass
March 04, 2015 - My husband and I live in Northwest Austin. We have removed lawn from our front yard and replaced it with mulch and some trees and other plantings.
We would like to replace the lawn in our backyard ...
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for plants for a 45 degree slope in Falls Church, VA.
January 23, 2013 - Have a 45 degree hillside 50 feet wide by 60 feet long on north side of 26 story building. Very little sun with the need for soil retention plants. Would like a native plant or plants to cover area...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping with native plants in Austin
October 06, 2005 - I'm expanding a flower bed in front of my house and would like to keep it all natives. 1) How do I find out what type of soil I should add? (I live near Hyde Park, Austin and haven't had a soil te...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |