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)
Wednesday - May 26, 2010
From: Three Rivers, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification in Michigan
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We are trying to identify a plant in our yard. It is seven inches tall in May, grows to about knee high, has red leaves, flowers in late June, early July. The flower is light pink. It is a perennial. The stem is red, and has two leaves growing out of the sides of stem at equal height. Thanks for your help.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Planst loves to identify plants, but identification of a plant by description alone is very difficult, if not impossible, to do. If it is a native plant, you might be able to find it yourself by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH in our Native Plant Database. Select 'Michigan' from Select State or Province, 'Herb' from Habit (general appearance), 'Perennial' from Duration (lifespan), and the appropriate selections from Bloom characteristics and you may find it. If it isn't a native plant, however, it won't be in the database. You can send us a photo (see Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page for instructions) and, if it is a North American native, we will do our best to identify it. Since you say it doesn't bloom until June or July, you probably should wait until then to photograph it. Please be sure you take a photo of the entire plant as well as a close-up photo of the leaves and the blossom. Also, please send us in focus, high resolution photos to examine.More Plant Identification Questions
Herb used in treating stomachache
May 14, 2008 - Growing up in St. Petersburg, Fl my father had an herb or plant that he pronounced kee-low and I always thought it was spelled kilo. He would take it and pick it, dry it out and then make tea with it....
view the full question and answer
Identification of a vine with purple flowers
July 06, 2011 - I'm trying to identify a vine-like plant growing in my yard to determine if it is a weed or should be kept around. It has small purple flowers with a small yellow center, looking like a mini honeysuc...
view the full question and answer
Tree with blue berries in Los Angeles, CA
March 22, 2016 - There's a tree outside my house with somewhat thin and short spiky leaves with blue berries. The berries
Some of the berries have a frost look and some are dark blue.
view the full question and answer
Plant Identification
October 31, 2013 - I have a plant that is about 6ft high, single stem or 2 or 3 together. from this stem are leaves, alternate and large, about 5-6 inches long, they are about 2.5" wide, irregular edges from the middle...
view the full question and answer
Tentative identification of Ibervillea lindheimeri
June 22, 2007 - I live close to the Center and found a plant in the park near my house I'd like identified. It was a vine with bright red fruit on it. The fruit was about the size of a cherry tomato but was oblong...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |