February 2017 in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

Eucomis vandermerwei is flowering this year - it missed out last year due to mealy bug infestation!
cheers
fermi

[Jupiter]

This morning there was lovely soft light due to some cloud cover, so I spent some time in the rock garden with my camera.

1. Artemisia umbelliformis (I think)
2. Sempervivum arachnoideum
3. Sedum spathulifolium
4. Dymondia margaretae
5. Thymus serpyllum minimus

[Jupiter]

part 2

1. Centaurea simplicicaulis
2. Origanum dictamnus
3. Penstemon davidsonii ssp. menziesii
4. Silene acaulis
5. Bolax gummifera

[Jupiter]

part 3

1. Globularia cordifolia
2. Sedum spurium
3. Dianthus unknown
4. Mental blank, can't remember. Petrocallis pyrenaica (supposedly!)

[Maggi Young]

Great light for showing the intensity of the greens, Jamus.

[Jupiter]

Regarding Petrocallis pyrenaica, clearly it isn't although that's what was on the seed packet... I wonder what I have? anyone have any suggestions? I might post the image in the alpines section too.

[Gabriela]

Jamus, a great series of little plants for the rockery! Origanum dictamnus is particularly a lovely species

The rosette could be a Draba, but not only, I guess you'll have to wait for the flowers. I also wonder about the unknown Dianthus - interesting foliage for a Dianthus (if true).

[Leucogenes]

part 2

1. Centaurea simplicicaulis
2. Origanum dictamnus
3. Penstemon davidsonii ssp. menziesii
4. Silene acaulis
5. Bolax gummifera

Hello Jamus,

I think your picture number 5 does not show Bolax gummifera. I would say it is Azorella trifurcata. Even if the Synoym Bolax gummifera is sometimes used for this species. They differ considerably in the shape of the foliage from the "real" Bolax gummifera.
It can also be another azorella. There are some different forms. I have 5 or 6 species, but they are currently under a dense snow cover. I hang out some pictures for comparison.

Still, your plant looks very good.

[Maggi Young]

I agree, your Bolax is an Azorella.
 I think your Dianthus may be a nice form of D. deltoiodes - some of these have very neat  foliage of that sort.

[Carolyn]

part 3

1. Globularia cordifolia
2. Sedum spurium
3. Dianthus unknown
4. Mental blank, can't remember. Petrocallis pyrenaica (supposedly!)

Perhaps the unknown dianthus could be D. myrtinervius or maybe deltoides?

[Carolyn]

Sorry, Maggi, didn't see your post!

[Jupiter]

Thank you people for the help with identification. I'm slightly miffed about the Azorella, I PAID actual money for something called Bolax gummifera from a very well known seller here in oz. I won't name names. It's good to have an accurate identity.

Bolax gummifera
1 × AU$8.00

D. myrtinervius was the purported name... I hope you're right Maggi, I really do, because it was an enthusiastic germinator and I have quite a few! deltoides would be less desirable. Looking at pictures online I am almost convinced it is such but flowers will confirm.

As for the glaucus specimen, I have three in the garden all doing well. I'm not impressed with the BIG leaves. Draba would be fine, I hope it's not a cabbage. LOL

[Jupiter]

Now I'm wondering if Bolax gummifera is even in Australia... I will ask Otto (or he will read this and comment).

Here is a New Zealand cushion plant turning up in the nurseries here; Scleranthus uniflorus

[Leucogenes]

Now I'm wondering if Bolax gummifera is even in Australia... I will ask Otto (or he will read this and comment).

Here is a New Zealand cushion plant turning up in the nurseries here; Scleranthus uniflorus

According to my research Bolax gummifera only occurs in the south of Chile, Argentina and the Falkland Islands.
This also applies to the different species of Azorella.

[Jupiter]

Good luck and take care to my fellow Australians for the few days ahead. Here in Adelaide we are forecast to reach 41°C today, again tomorrow and then 39 and 37 Friday and Saturday. Not fun at all.