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
Thursday - September 30, 2010
From: Morristown, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Plant identification
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
My husband brought home a plant which I have not been able to id. It is a bush, has 2 ovate to ellipse leaves, whorled, with 4 (2 pairs) smooth thin skinned (you can see white veins under the skin radiating from the blossom drop )bright red-orange glossy 1/4 inch berries in each whorl. The seeds inside the berry are about the size and shape of tomato seeds (8). This plant was growing wild. What is this plant? Is it native? Is it poisonous? What animals use it as a food source? What is the easiest way to propogate it or is it a good idea to grow it (exotic invasive)? Thank you, Mr. Smarty PlantsANSWER:
Your plant sounds fascinating, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a shrub that matches your description. However, if you will take photos and send them to us, we will do our very best to identify it. Please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page to read the instructions for submitting photos. Please follow those instructions carefully and also make sure your photos are in good focus.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant identification
August 19, 2008 - Hi, I live in South West Michigan and there is this plant I can't figure out. It has oval leaves in a row on each side of its stems, large thorns, and when the plant is grown it has what seems to be...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 06, 2008 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have some plants I cannot identify. They were given to me after a funeral. I love them, i would like to know WHAT THEY ARE??? Here are descriptions. I can get photos. (PS I liv...
view the full question and answer
Identity of plant that smells like oranges in Alpine, TX
August 16, 2012 - There are patches of flat bushy like plants in lawn, smells like orange. Areas may be 10" and spreading, but when pulled has small root. How can I get rid of this plant and what is it?
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 25, 2011 - I see a previous question from Ohio on this plant, so I will copy the description and try to submit photos. "A year later a weed-like plant started growing beside it. It has very thorny leaves, stem...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
April 26, 2009 - My brother in law just bought a parcel of land that is bespeckled with shrubs we cannot identify. The land is located in south west Michigan. It is zoned agricultural. Due to the fact that it is ea...
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. |
