Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Monday - April 14, 2008
From: Fort Worth, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Wildflowers
Title: Identity of maroon flower taking over bluebonnets
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
there is a maroon colored flowering weed at my ranch in Oakwood Texas. It is taking over the bluebonnets and indian paint brushes. Can you tell me what it is and how to get rid of it.ANSWER:
Since our only clues are "maroon-colored" and blooming right now in Texas, we can't give you any sort of positive identification. However, here are a few possibilities for Texas native flowering plants with reddish flowers that bloom in April. I've attached a few photos of the most likely ones, but you should scan through the photos of the 47 species that fit the description. If you don't find it among the 47 species, you can send us a photo and we will do our best to tell you what it is for sure. See Ask Mr. Smarty Plants in the lower right corner of the page for instructions on how to submit a photo for identification.
How do you get rid of it? If it's one of the ones pictured below, Mr. Smary Plants wonders why would you want to get rid of it. These are beautiful and the contrast of the color with your bluebonnets and paintbrushes should be striking. However, whatever they are and for whatever reason you want them gone, the only surefire way to get rid of them is to dig or pull them up by the roots. Any herbicide won't distinguish between the unwanted plants and your bluebonnets and paintbrushes.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
General Wildflower Reference
March 07, 2008 - Can you recommend a good general reference book on wildflowers that is not limited by being either regional or a field guide? (I already have Wildflowers Across America.) I am looking for a work whi...
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for plants for a bird/small wildlife refuge in Wichita Co, TX.
August 26, 2011 - With our continuing drought in North Texas, I'm planning to transform my small backyard into a bird/small wildlife "refuge". What types of native plants and grasses can I plant in dry, hot Wichita ...
view the full question and answer
Where can white prickly poppy be viewed en mass from Baton Rouge LA?
January 16, 2013 - Does the center feature the native White Prickly Poppy? When is prime blooming season? Can you give me some specific locations in the area where the plant can be seen en mass and photographed? Thank...
view the full question and answer
Texas bluebonnets for Illinois
March 12, 2008 - Thank you Mr. Smarty Plants. I will be closely checking the variety of Texas bluebonnets that I tried to plant. For the record, I did soak them first to loosen the seed shell. I think we probably just...
view the full question and answer
Bluebonnets planted in late spring bloom, will they bloom again?
February 06, 2008 - New to South Texas & we decided to plant bluebonnets around our house. The seeds were planted in late spring & we were delighted to watch them start their initial growth-cycle. They ultimately produc...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
