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)
Thursday - January 02, 2014
From: Travis Peak, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Vines
Title: Identification of a vine with 3 leaves and a red trunk
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What is a vine with 3 leaves that has a red trunk?ANSWER:
Here are the two vines that I could find with three leaves and a reddish stem that grow in Travis County:
- Rubus trivialis (Dewberry) has red hairs on its stem and has 3-5 leaflets per stem. Here are descriptions from Oklahoma Biological Survey and from Texas A&M Aggie Horticulture. The USDA Plants Database distribution map shows it occurring in Travis County. Here are more photos from the Image Archive of Central Texas Plants from the School of Biological Science University of Texas.
- The stems on Toxicodendron radicans (Eastern poison ivy) can also be reddish or reddish-brown. Here are more photos from Image Archive of Central Texas Plants, Virginia Tech and Brandeis University. The USDA Plants Database distribution map shows it occurring in Travis County.
If neither of these is the vine you have seen and you have a photo or photos of it, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Identity of fleshy three-leaved vine in Central Texas
June 20, 2015 - I have a 3 leaved evergreen vine, that I assume is a central Texas native, growing in my yard in a non irrigated mostly shady spot. It has a strong odor when touched and looks and feels like a succule...
view the full question and answer
When will non-native Confederate Jasmine bloom in Austin
March 03, 2014 - I have 2 large Confederate Jasmine plants growing in 3 gallon pots on either side of an arbor I built for my friends wedding. The wedding is in 1 month and I'm wondering if this jasmine typically bl...
view the full question and answer
When to Plant Texas Wisteria?
December 09, 2015 - When is the best time to plant Texas Wisteria, Fall or Spring?
view the full question and answer
Yellowing leaves on Carolina jessamine from Las Vegas NV
March 21, 2014 - Carolina jessamine, has yellow leaves. 3 years old, grows on south wall, full sun. Same plant, in partial shade, has green leaves. Should I feed yellowish plant some nitrogen? If yes how much?
view the full question and answer
Identification of vining plant with red berries in California
January 28, 2016 - We found a vining plant next to and growing in our stream with gorgeous purple leaves in the fall after frost and a few sporadic clusters of smooth small red berries with little thorns on the vine. We...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |