Explore Plants

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

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
Not Yet Rated

Friday - May 29, 2009

From: Stony Brook, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Identification of vine in Stony Brook NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Identify- vine type, Thorny stem, medium size leaves, color medium green with a jagged-reddish edge, leaf shape oblong, small white flowers. Growing in a patch of English green ivy. Looks invasive. Spreading quickly. Can you identify?

ANSWER:

We are going to have you go to our Native Plant Database, do the Combination Search, selecting New York and "vine" under Habit. When you click on the Submit Combination Search box, you will get a list of 60 possibilities. Each plant will have a link to a webpage about that individual plant, with photos if we have them. There are thumbnail photos on the list page to give you a clue which to look at. If it is not there, and especially if you consider it invasive, it could very well be a non-native invasive. Of course, if it is growing in English ivy, that is another non-native invasive, so if you pulled the whole lot out, you wouldn't hurt our feelings. If you still can't identify it, go to our Mr. Smarty Plants Plant Identification page, and follow the instructions to send us photos and we will try to figure out what it is.
 

More Vines Questions

Problem with acanthus in Vancouver BC
May 16, 2010 - My girlfriend's Mom just planted an Acanthus in her garden. In the morning, it apparently stands up tall, but in the evening it bends over until the the leaves are lying in the dirt. She's concerned...
view the full question and answer

American Bittersweet in east Texas
September 24, 2007 - Does American Bittersweet vine grow in east Texas? It grows wild in Indiana and want to find it in our new location, Longview, Texas
view the full question and answer

Evergreen vine for Lake Jackson, Texas
March 06, 2009 - I have some lattice for privacy that I would like to cover with an evergreen vine or ivy. One is facing to the west, the other to the east. What would you suggest?
view the full question and answer

Vines for pergola in Fort Worth
March 10, 2009 - I just bought a pergola for back porch 12 x 10 that faces east so gets full morning sun, looking to plant vines for looks and help with shade. Would obviously like something that complements the pergo...
view the full question and answer

Need care instructions for Cardiosperma halicacabum in Little Rock, AR>
May 11, 2012 - I'd like to find out how to cultivate & care for a balloon vine/heart seed vine/love in a puff vine which I found growing wild in my yard (in Little Rock, Arkansas). There seems to be very little in...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile 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.