Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Paul T on September 30, 2010, 12:02:20 PM

Title: Asarum identification
Post by: Paul T on September 30, 2010, 12:02:20 PM

Howdy All,

Can anyone please identify these Asarum species?  They were at Viv's place when I was down there to visit, and we are unsure of the names.  Any help would be appreciated.

There are 3 different ones, which I've titled as "unknown", "unknown 2" and "unknown 3".  Each has a pic of the flowers and one of the leaves.  The flower of "unknown 3" greatly resembles the flowers on my Asarum maximum, but the leaves are very different, both in shape and markings.  The other two species have very similar flowers in shape, although one was much more of a green colour while the other brown, but the leaves seem different.  I only had older leaves to work from unfortunately, although I can hopefully photograph the leaves of the "unknown" again soon as Viv gave me a pot of it to bring home.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide. 8)

Title: Re: Asarum identification
Post by: Lesley Cox on September 30, 2010, 07:54:27 PM

As Paul's pics show, they were truly gorgeous. They came originally, I think, from Chen Yi which probably says it all.

Title: Re: Asarum identification
Post by: Afloden on October 01, 2010, 04:55:06 AM

I would suggest A. delavayi for sp1 and sp 2. Sp. 3 is A. maximum. The leaves of Asarum, like Trillium, can be very phenotypically plastic, and are rarely of any diagnostic value.

 Aaron

Title: Re: Asarum identification
Post by: Paul T on October 01, 2010, 12:00:08 PM

Thanks Aaron.  That's appreciated.  8)

Anyone else have any input or suggestions?

Title: Re: Asarum identification
Post by: Otto Fauser on October 04, 2010, 12:33:55 PM

Paul , this is a flower ( a snail had a meal) on my plant of Asarum maximum , bought from 'Antique Perennials' - so I think we have the correct name now.

Title: Re: Asarum identification
Post by: Paul T on October 05, 2010, 12:37:17 AM

Otto,

Mine has the same flower, which is why I mentioned it in the original posting.  Just very different leaves.  Now that I know leaves aren't diagnostic I know that doesn't make any difference.

Could you possibly please pass the info on to Viv?  I have no contact details for her, unfortunately, so I haven't yet contacted her to let her know of the names (I was going to contact you today to ask you to pass on details to her).

3 days until I start my next working week, and no more spring public holiday crowds.... Yeah!!  Trying to work out whether to just sleep all day today. ;D