Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Plant Identification => Plant Identification Questions and Answers => Topic started by: Paddy Tobin on October 28, 2010, 08:38:47 PM
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I would be delighted if anybody could help with identification of the following, all photographed at the Botanic Gardens, Funchal, Madeira.
404 is an aquatic plant.
Paddy
Cliff has identified 404 as Eichhornia crassipes (the Water Hyacinth)
David has identified 350 as Stapelia gigantea (the Carrion Flower)
Giles has identified 354 as Senna Multiglandulosa (Buttercup Bush)
Giles had identified 301 as an Echium - I think/feel certain it is Echium candicans (syn. E. fastulosum) known as "Pride of Madeira"
Alberto has identified 304 as Thunbergia grandiflora (Blue Trumpet Vine)
Oron has identified 448 as Dichorisandra thyrsiflora (Blue Ginger/Brazilian Ginger)
Oron has identified 283 as Neoregelia, probably N. carolinae after blooming (Blushing Bromeliad)
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Hi Paddy,
I think 404, the water plant, is Eichhornia crassipes (the water hyacinth).
I'm certain that I managed to identify a number of your other queries when we visited Madeira a number of years ago ... I will check my records.
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paddy 350 is a stapelia possibly Stapelia gigantea
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Great start, Cliff and David. Many thanks. Paddy
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354 is Senna, possibly Senna multiglandulosa.
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..and 301 is an Echium (they all look the same).
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Many thanks, Giles. Certainly the Senna matches perfectly. I'm not convinced about the echium. This had the appearance of a bulbous plant, about 40 cm in height. The flower does look very like an echium but I am not convinced. Must see if I have a photograph which shows the whole plant better.
Paddy
Post scriptum: No, I think you are perfectly correct, Giles. I looked back at other photographs and this is certainly an echium and, what's more, I have seen it in a garden near here - makes a big mound with a multitude of these relatively small flowers.
A further post scriptum: Giles led me to read up on echiums and my memory has been triggered: It is Echium candicans (syn. E. fastuosum) with the common name, "Pride of Madeira". Now, if Maggie comes along and tells me that there is always a clue she will complete my embarrassment.
Paddy
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304 is Thunbergia grandiflora
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and 448 is Dichorisandra thyrsiflora,
283 is Neoregelia, probably N. carolinae after blooming.
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Wow, this is fabulous. I have been trying to keep my first post updated as people have identified the plants and I can't keep up.
Many thanks, Alberto and Oron.
Many, many thanks. Paddy
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I think that's them all - I'm finding it hard to keep up with you. Such speed. Brilliant.
Paddy
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Seven puzzling plants, five forum members, four countries, thirteen minutes and all identified. Where else in the world would this happen?
Yes, I have been visiting, contributing to and using the SRGC forum for several years but I am truly impressed and very grateful to these members who took an interest, gave of their time and helped me out.
Many, many thanks. Paddy
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Hi Paddy,
I think 404, the water plant, is Eichhornia crassipes (the water hyacinth).
I'm certain that I managed to identify a number of your other queries when we visited Madeira a number of years ago ... I will check my records.
Not even time to check my records Paddy ... ! ;D
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I actually thought of that: Cliff is off now looking back at his photographs and when he comes back they will all have been named. Many thanks, Cliff. My goodness, they are quick here.
Paddy
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Helpful people deserve quick answers Paddy :)
Just wanted to bring in the name of the Thunbergia grandiflora......
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Coincidentally, I have just learned that the landscape architect who is the person I share most books with in my LibraryThing (who also lives in Portugal, though most of the books we have in common are not about Portugal/in Portuguese) is about to publish a book about Madeiran gardens http://www.behance.net/gallery/The-Gardens-of-Madeira/777245 (http://www.behance.net/gallery/The-Gardens-of-Madeira/777245). I haven't seen it, but it may well be of interest to past and future visitors to the island.
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I'll certainly get a copy of that book, looks interesting. Paddy
Post Scriptum: this book is being published by Frances Lincoln and is due to be released in November.
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One final plant from the Botanic Gardens, Funchal.
Albizia julibrissin?
The flowers being all red strikes me as odd. I expect some white or a paler colour at the base of the flower.
Paddy
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Could be a Calliandra, I guess.
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Many thanks, Giles.
Calliandra haematocephala, Blood Red Tassel Flower, Red Powderpuff certainly seems to match.
Paddy