Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: angie on November 22, 2009, 01:26:17 AM

Title: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 01:26:17 AM
Can anyone give me name of plant
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 22, 2009, 01:34:51 AM
Not me, Angie! ???
Are you sure Derek hasn't been smoking cuban cigars halfway and then stubbing them out in a plant pot?

Looks a bit suspicious to me........though I suppose it's a cactus, is it? I'm hopeless with naming those!!
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Paul T on November 22, 2009, 01:59:38 AM
Angie,

A side shot, and closeup would perhaps help.  hard to tell the details from that picture.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: cohan on November 22, 2009, 05:23:52 AM
i'd also like to see a close clear shot... it does look cactus-like, but it looks rather like a dead cactus :( hopefully i am wrong..
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lori S. on November 22, 2009, 06:09:07 AM
I'd bet it's something much more exotic than a dead cactus, perhaps one of those many weird desert succulents I know nothing about, that put out a leaf or two in the rainy season... ?
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 08:58:35 AM
I will go with Lori its not dead l have had green shoots coming out but they dried off, it was my sisters plant and she collected some weird but wonderful plants ::). I shall take some close up today. She collected caudex , which look like big dried up stones too me, I would like to find a home for them but some how this plant is a challenge to me.   

Maggie , That's what it does look like :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 22, 2009, 09:53:41 AM
Angie can you post a larger photo of the one above 700 pixels wide
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Paddy Tobin on November 22, 2009, 11:57:54 AM
I think it is a particularly fat asparagus - well, I would love my asparagus to be that fat.

Paddy
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 12:19:30 PM
Here goes I tried to take a closer image

Paddy I dont think it is asparagus.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Paddy Tobin on November 22, 2009, 12:22:25 PM
No, Angie, I didn't think so but nice fat asparagus would be very welcome in my garden. Paddy
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 12:25:55 PM
I wouldnt mind growing asparagus in my garden as well.
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 22, 2009, 12:33:22 PM
It looks like an Australian black boy - a grass like ?fern
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 22, 2009, 12:35:55 PM
http://www.pawlan.com/monica/australia/ (http://www.pawlan.com/monica/australia/)
Grass Tree

But they are much biffer than the plant in the pot
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: maggiepie on November 22, 2009, 01:27:43 PM
Paddy, fat asparagus spears jumped into my head too when I first saw the pic. ;D

Mark, I think you are on the right track with the Xanthorrhoea suggestion.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Sinchets on November 22, 2009, 01:46:11 PM
I will go with Lori its not dead l have had green shoots coming out but they dried off, it was my sisters plant and she collected some weird but wonderful plants ::). I shall take some close up today. She collected caudex , which look like big dried up stones too me, I would like to find a home for them but some how this plant is a challenge to me.   

Maggie , That's what it does look like :)
The Winter Gardens used to 'rehouse' plants - we took some there when we left Aberdeen and had nowhere else to put them.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 07:35:58 PM
Thanks everyone,
Mark I do have two Australian grass trees, that's what I thought it might be but this plant is only 25cm tall, maybe its a miniature. Hopefully one day it will flower and give me more to go on. Wish I had asked my sister what it was.
Angie :)
Pic of grasstree
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 22, 2009, 07:48:28 PM
There was a grass tree in a local garden centre recently. I got excited until I saw the price tag. £250
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 07:59:25 PM
Hi Mark, my one was a gift from my mum and sister, my mum had to move in with us and no longer can garden( so I got all her plants ) and my sister passed away nearly a year ago and again I got all her plants, there are two large ones and one about 2-3ft high( the baby ) so the next time you are in Aberdeen if you want you can have the baby of the three, just need a big bag.
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: maggiepie on November 22, 2009, 08:28:02 PM
Angie, your baby grasstree is likely older than you. :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 22, 2009, 08:57:05 PM
Angie, hugs and kisses  :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 09:00:07 PM
Mark, I will keep it for you.

Maggiepie, hope its not as old as me 53years old ::)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 22, 2009, 09:22:04 PM
Paddy, fat asparagus spears jumped into my head too when I first saw the pic. ;D

By way of the mouth I hope Helen. :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 22, 2009, 09:24:37 PM
Angie, why don't you post it on the Puzzles thread? There will be some weird and wonderful suggestions probably.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: maggiepie on November 22, 2009, 09:26:33 PM
Paddy, fat asparagus spears jumped into my head too when I first saw the pic. ;D

By way of the mouth I hope Helen. :)

 ;D
Lesley, I can hardly wait until spring, our asparagus will be in its 4th year and should give heaps of spears, yummmm!!
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: maggiepie on November 22, 2009, 09:29:38 PM
Mark, I will keep it for you.

Maggiepie, hope its not as old as me 53years old ::)
>>
All About Grasstrees

    * The trunk takes a decade to form initially, then another 20 years or more before the mass of thin, linear leaves rises above it. Then, it grows only about 1cm-2cm in height per year.
    * The tree attracts a wide range of lizards and insects. They love to shelter in the foliage.
    * The genus name Xanthorrhoea is derived from the Green words xanthos (yellow) and rheo (flowing), and describes the yellowish gum commonly found on the plants. This gum was used by Aboriginal people to attach heads to their spears. The early white settlers used the gum as a substitute lacquer and varnish.
    * There are 15 species of grasstrees.
    * Its lifespan has been calculated at 600 years, although it's not uncommon to find multi-branched forms of the Western Australian X.preissii species to live for approximately 1,000 years.
<<

http://www.grasstrees.com.au/2008.12.12_media_article.htm

So, it might well be older than you Angie :o
Heck, it might even be older than me !! :D
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 22, 2009, 10:07:01 PM
I have a kilo of fresh asparagus in the fridge, from Saturday's market. Cheese and asparagus flan I think and also some raw for lunch, then.....
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: maggiepie on November 22, 2009, 10:30:59 PM
I have a kilo of fresh asparagus in the fridge, from Saturday's market. Cheese and asparagus flan I think and also some raw for lunch, then.....

Lesley, you eat raw asparagus?
I've never tried it raw. I love it steamed for a couple of minutes, barbecued is great too.
I suppose I better stop  :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 22, 2009, 10:34:45 PM
I have a kilo of fresh asparagus in the fridge, from Saturday's market. Cheese and asparagus flan I think and also some raw for lunch, then.....
And you MUST have a few egg and asparagus sandwiches, Lesley.... food of the Gods, I tell you!  But, Helen, raw is best .... if very fresh it is delicious beyond belief but lightly steamed and chopped into mashed hard-boiled eggs it is also scrumptious.... 8)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 22, 2009, 10:42:08 PM
Helen, Thanks for the link on grasstrees 8).

Lesley, I have never had asparagus  :-[, if my plant never flowers I could always cook it, maybe it will taste the same as asparagus. Good idea to put it into the puzzle thread.
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 22, 2009, 10:50:39 PM
Asparagus eaten raw, in a salad or salad sandwich. Cooked - no thanks
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Paul T on November 23, 2009, 12:01:47 AM
Angie,

It certianly does look like a Xanthorrea, but they should be evergreen.  Are you sure that this one is still alive?  It is very small for one, I have to agree.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: cohan on November 23, 2009, 12:42:37 AM
Here goes I tried to take a closer image

Paddy I dont think it is asparagus.

interesting--i only mentioned dead in the terms of 'cactus' since the stems don't have the right heft for cactus of that shape/height;
close up its clearly not a cactus at all, still not easy to be sure about texture, but it doesnt look like any succulent or most caudiciforms, either..
i havent looked up 'grass trees', sounds interesting; have you searched those, angie, to see if they fit?
texturally also reminds of tree ferns, but of course they should have fronds :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: johnw on November 23, 2009, 01:51:27 AM
I have two Xanthorrhoea australis from Cistus Nursery bought in 1998.  Still no sign of trunks, not much in the way of growth.  Somone said the wrap the tops up in loosely tied newspaper and set it alight.

Expecting trunks by the time I'm ninety when I will be not only shorter and lighter but possibly immolated or quite dead.

johnw
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 23, 2009, 05:03:04 PM
I don't think it is a grass tree and the plant had shoots coming from all over, my grasstrees have just growth from the top.I wish I had taken pictures when it had growth.

John, If this plant doesn't come into growth I could set it alight, I do think it must come from down south and the blackness makes me wonder if it is one of these plants that can survive bush fires, time will only tell. post a picture of your plant it would be nice to see.
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Alberto on November 23, 2009, 05:55:52 PM
It looks like Xerophyta retinervis!
It is sold in succulent nurseries on last times.

Alberto

Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 23, 2009, 05:59:36 PM
100% correct Alberto
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis.htm (http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis.htm)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 23, 2009, 06:03:24 PM
Nice flowers also
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/xerophytaretinervismal07octbf2_800.jpg (http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/xerophytaretinervismal07octbf2_800.jpg)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: maggiepie on November 23, 2009, 06:05:55 PM
100% correct Alberto
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis.htm (http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis.htm)

Mark, thanks for the link.

Oh Angie, what a fabulous plant, you are so lucky!!
I wonder how long it takes to get big.
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: cohan on November 23, 2009, 06:47:48 PM
100% correct Alberto
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis.htm (http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/XEROPHYTA/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis/Xerophyta_retinervis.htm)

Mark, thanks for the link.

Oh Angie, what a fabulous plant, you are so lucky!!
I wonder how long it takes to get big.



i agree! thanks alberto and mark, what a great plant! i wonder if there are seeds available online...
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 23, 2009, 07:06:09 PM
Alberto
Thanks, Thanks, Thanks  I am so happy ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Oh I better not get to excited I shall have to get it to grow and then to flower, Oh the flower is so lovely.
Mark , thanks for the link.
And thanks to everyone for there effort. I will keep you all posted on its future...
Angie :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Alberto on November 23, 2009, 07:11:46 PM
Cohan, Silver Hill, from South Africa, has the seeds. But the plants are not easy from seeds, as far as I have read.

Good growing.

Alberto
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2009, 07:14:57 PM
Hang on, am I missing something here? Angela's plant is a little pot of stumps like cigars.... are you telling me they will grow to be a chunky thing 0.6m high? :o
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Alberto on November 23, 2009, 07:15:17 PM
Angie, where does your plant come from?

Alberto

Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 23, 2009, 07:29:01 PM
Alberto I am sorry I cant tell you where it came from it was my sisters plant, she had some weird plants and I now have them, mostly caudiciforms and things that look like stones.
Thanks again Alberto, if it grows maybe we could cut a bit off. Will keep you posted.
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 23, 2009, 07:46:16 PM
Swaziland in Scotland eh? That's one for the books. ;D
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2009, 09:33:44 PM
Swaziland in Scotland eh? That's one for the books. ;D

 I wouldn't have thought that would surprise you, Lesley?  ::)
A dear old member of our Local Group who died last week has a mountain named after him in the Falklands, another local SRGC star has an african orchid named after him ( though lately it was dropped to a species not a genera, I think :'(  ) so why wouldn't  all sorts of foreign plants not have made their way here? If you have a big enough heat lamp, it's not so hard to replicate Swaziland!  :-\
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2009, 09:41:32 PM
A post just appeared and disappeared , with this link in it as a possible id for this plant....


The text of the reply is shown below :

or could it be this http://www.bihrmann.com/CAUDICIFORMS/subs/xer-her-sub.asp    ......
strikes me a a possibility.... stubby cigars.... right size.....??????
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 23, 2009, 10:07:17 PM
A really BIG heat lamp Maggi?

Rhododendron edgarianum was named after my mother's great uncle. (How's that for a non sequitur?)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: daveyp1970 on November 23, 2009, 10:34:16 PM
Maggie i posted the link but after looking close at the picture i think a different species i deleted it.Sorry
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 23, 2009, 10:37:04 PM
I thought that might be the case, Davey, that you'd changed your mind........ but it looks at least similar, which I thought was interesting!  :D
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 23, 2009, 11:52:22 PM
would you ever have thought it's a member of the Amarylid family
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Lesley Cox on November 24, 2009, 12:21:31 AM
I think so, from the flowers but certainly not from the stems and leaves. ???
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: cohan on November 24, 2009, 08:18:54 AM
Cohan, Silver Hill, from South Africa, has the seeds. But the plants are not easy from seeds, as far as I have read.

Good growing.

Alberto


thanks, alberto, i will keep it in mind next time i look at their list...
maybe one of those that needs fire or liquid smoke or something to germinate?
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Hans J on November 24, 2009, 08:30:33 AM
Maggi + Mark

Sorry but the information on the Bihrmann site is wrong - this is not a member of Amaryllidacae
Look on Kew :
Family: Velloziaceae 

Hans
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Maggi Young on November 24, 2009, 10:57:20 AM
Thanks, Hans, good reminder not to believe everything you read!


 BUT: Do you think that that plant might be Angie's plant??
  ???
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Hans J on November 24, 2009, 11:09:12 AM
Maggi - I have no idea .....but I trust Alberto !!!

For me personal I would like more the cigars from Cuba  ;D ;D ;D and I could smoke them  8)

Angie : please look if there any banderoles ?
if there is written COHIBA or MONTECHRISTO or ROMEO&JULIA so please send it me  :D
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: mark smyth on November 24, 2009, 11:21:26 AM
Thanks Hans and just like the red top newpapers in the UK
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Hans J on November 24, 2009, 11:44:41 AM
 :) Mark :

If you like to send me some cigars I would be glad for it ......they comes right for X mas !!!

Thank you Hans  8)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 24, 2009, 04:55:12 PM
Sorry to disappoint, no cigars but if I cant manage to get it to flower you are welcome  to put a light to it.
Lesley you will soon see a bright light in the sky and you will know its coming from Aberdeen.
Thanks to everyone I never thought anyone would be able to name the plant for me and I am so pleased, her I go again getting excited to think I might never get it to flower, might have to look at those brown cigars for years.
This forum is fantastic.
Away to my SRGC tonight with a grin on my face ;D ;D
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Hans J on November 24, 2009, 07:08:07 PM
 
sigh


 :'( :'( :'(
Hans
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Alberto on November 24, 2009, 07:20:06 PM
Angie, Xerophyta retinervis is usually sold by succulent nurseries but it needs al lot of water in summer, letting it almost dry between a watering and the other. It is not to treat as a real succulent!

Albert
 
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: angie on November 25, 2009, 12:03:25 AM
Thanks Alberto.
Angie :)
Title: Re: unknown plant
Post by: Paul T on November 25, 2009, 03:47:31 AM
Amazing how much it looks like our grass trees, but more definitely so different flower-wise.  You learn something new every day!!  :o  I would rather like to grow that myself..... quite a fascinating plant.
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