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)
Friday - October 26, 2007
From: Utopia, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of plant, probably Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworths eryngo)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
burr like bloom shaped like small pineapple,purple in color,grows in a cluster on single stem,dries wellANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants assumes you want to know what this plant is. From your description it sounds like Eryngium leavenworthii (Leavenworth's eryngo). Surprisingly, despite its resemblance to them, it isn't one of thistles which are in the Family Asteraceae (Aster Family). It is, instead, in the Family Apiaceae (Carrot Family). You are right, it does dry well and is beautiful in dried flower arrangements.
More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of vine from Las Vegas NV
July 11, 2012 - I'm interested in identifying the vine shown by the leaf in this photo: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zR3R4JSPYcCI4ESczNXWM4h8z33Cq5cyZNqSSYf9hx0?feat=directlink
My mother-in-law got one o...
view the full question and answer
Plant identfication
August 09, 2009 - We have red pointed things growing wild in our yard. About the size of an index finger. They just pop up after a rain. Are they poisonous? We have pets.
view the full question and answer
Taxonomic question about Viola missouriensis and Viola affinis.
March 28, 2011 - I have tentatively identified a violet as either Viola affinis or V. missouriensis. However, the pages for those species are dated 2007 and 2009, respectively, in the NPIN, while it read...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification of a potted vine in California
October 04, 2011 - Hi, we have a tropical vine growing in a pot on our patio that my wife bought at the county fair. We've had it for a couple of years but I just noticed it now has a sort of pear like fruit on it. It ...
view the full question and answer
Identification of yellow blooming plants near Temple, Texas
November 07, 2011 - This question may be a challenge. We noticed fields of
yellow blooming plants in the fields east of Temple. They
appear to be about 4 inches tall. (we were on a bus and
could not stop to look cl...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |