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

Monday - June 07, 2010

From: Milford, OH
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant that smells like cinnamon in Milford OH
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Wanting to know what wildflower/weed would be so aromatic and smells like cinnamon? Always enjoy this wonderful smell when my husband and I ride the motorcycle, but don't know what it is. Would like to figure it out so I can plant it in my back yard, even if it is a weed ! Please help me ! Have been looking for years ! I need to know ! Thanks,

ANSWER:

From a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer to the same question:

"Here are some possibilities for your cinnamon-scented plant:

1. Dodecatheon meadia, Pride of Ohio or Shootingstar, native to Ohio

2. Dioscorea oppositifolia (formerly Dioscorea batatas), Cinnamon vine. Native to China, a tropical or sub-tropical plant, grows in Ohio, considered invasive.

3. Hesperis matronalis, Dame's Rocket, native to Ohio, also considered invasive.

The next time you smell the cinnamon-like scent, perhaps you will be able to determine which one it is (or if it is one) of these."

We found one more in our Native Plant Database, Calycanthus floridus. (eastern sweetshrub), native to Ohio.

Pictures of Dioscorea oppositifolia from Google

Pictures of Hesperis matronalis from Google

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:

 

 

 

 

 

More Plant Identification Questions

Wild native trees with orange blooms
March 30, 2012 - What is the wild native tree that is blooming orange blooms - as you drive down the road thru Chappel Hill, and Brenham area. I've never seen these before when we went viewing bluebonnets - however,...
view the full question and answer

Identification of groundcover plant in north Georgia mountains
September 16, 2011 - Was trail riding in N GA mountains - saw pretty ground cover plant ? vine - small green leaves with whitish borders almost look like clover leaves and has small bright red red berries - this was Aug 2...
view the full question and answer

Information about pre-1920s biodiversity near San Antonio
February 12, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: I am transforming my .3 acre urban yard three miles north of downtown San Antonio into a native wildscape. I am planting all native plants using your website, books, and nea...
view the full question and answer

Identity of plant with purple flower and tomato-like fruit
April 24, 2012 - Along the Lake Erie shoreline in Buffalo there is a summer blooming plant with a purple flower and hard flattened tomato like fruit, diameter of a quarter. It has pretty small green leaves with fine ...
view the full question and answer

Origin of name Bluedicks (Dichelostemma capitatum)
March 21, 2008 - Why are Blue Dicks called that? I do a weekly wildflower update on the radio and I don't know the answer!
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.