Digitalis?

[Roma]

In January 2012 I sowed seeds (from AGS seed exchange) of 3 species of Digitalis - cariensis, dubia and lanata.  Are they all lutea?  Two are very tall.  The third is shorter with a tighter inflorescence and more brown in the mature flowers.  The look quite big in close up but the flowers are tiny.

[Tristan_He]

Hi Roma,

Well, none of the plants illustrated are either cariensis, lanata or dubia. But I expect you have worked that out already! 

I think you are probably right, they all look like lutea to me. D. viridiflora has browner flowers somewhat like the third one but also quite obvious bracts (anyone know if lutea and viridiflora hybridise?). Unfortunately The Plant List is down at the moment so I can't check out other potential candidates.

Best, Tristan

[Roma]

Thanks for the confirmation, Tristan.  I wish people would check the identity of their plants before sending seed to the exchanges and not rely on the name on the packet of seed they sowed.

[Tristan_He]

Agree. A few years ago I received seed exchange material of 'Dianthus myrtinervis True Form' which certainly is not D. myrtinervis and so far as I can tell is a purple-leaved (and freely seeding) form of D. deltoides. It's pretty enough but a bit of a thug unfortunately.

I think you have been very unlucky though. And how anyone can think that D. lutea is any of the three species you ordered is beyond me.

I have some seed of D. parviflora from last year if you would like some. Should still be ok.

Tristan

[Lori S.]

I also got D. deltoides in the guise of D. myrtinervius from the seedex last year.  Very annoying.   

[Roma]

.

I have some seed of D. parviflora from last year if you would like some. Should still be ok.

Tristan

Thanks Tristan.  I would like that.  I will pm you my address.