| Author | Content |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 10, 2008
11:57 AM Post #5394981
| have had this plant in a pot for several years now and have no idea what it might be. possibly some kind of herb. grows low in the pot and trails over the edge. thanks for you help. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 10, 2008
12:09 PM Post #5395025
| Very pretty. My first thought was a plectranthus of some sort but I have no idea. I am real curious though and will be watching this thread in hopes that someone positively ID's it for you. Very nice looking plant! |
Kalpavriksha
Sarasota, FL
August 10, 2008
1:27 PM Post #5395282
| How big are these leaves? Looks like Swedish Ivy, Plectranthus. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 10, 2008
2:30 PM Post #5395546
| There are 59 Plectranthus listed in the Plant Files data base: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
I am still leaning towards some sort of Plectranthus. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 10, 2008
2:34 PM Post #5395561
| Does it flower?
Lynn |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 10, 2008
5:43 PM Post #5396283
| Plectranthus australis, Swedish Ivy. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 11, 2008
7:46 AM Post #5398397
| Another possibility, Malabar Spinach: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] I got the DG newsletter in e-mail this morning and that was the first subject. It kinda sorta looks like your plant. It says it's a climbing/vining/trailing herb.
More images: [HYPERLINK@images.google.com] |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 11, 2008
10:36 AM Post #5399097
| no ... it does not flower. leaves are very small, quarter inch wide probably. thanks to all trying to help. |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 11, 2008
10:39 AM Post #5399114
| looked at pictures of Malabar Spinach and Plectranthus australis. don't think my plant is either of those. hard to tell for sure from pictures but looks like the leaves of those 2 are much bigger than those on my plant. |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 11, 2008
3:32 PM Post #5400453
| Photocat, what zone are you in? Do you overwinter this plant indoors or is it hardy in your area? |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 11, 2008
3:55 PM Post #5400548
| I am in central Virginia, believe that to be Zone 7. no I do not bring it inside or do anything special with it at all. it pretty much survives complete neglect. |
suse
Bretten
(Germany)
August 11, 2008
4:12 PM Post #5400632
| Looks very similar to Veronica umbrosa with blue flowers in spring... |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 11, 2008
8:11 PM Post #5401491
| There is a listing for Veronica umbrosa in PF: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] but the leaves look totally different to me. |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 12, 2008
12:01 PM Post #5404130
| definitely not Veronica umbrosa. the leaves of my plant are more heart shaped, are only about 1/4 to possibly 1/2 inch wide, have distinctive veins in them. sometimes the leaves might have a reddish tint in parts but for the most part are green. |
suse
Bretten
(Germany)
August 12, 2008
12:10 PM Post #5404166
| How looks the color of the flowers? |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 12, 2008
12:17 PM Post #5404185
| never seen it flower and have had it for years. |
jujubetexas
San Marcos, TX
(Zone 8b)
August 12, 2008
12:36 PM Post #5404257
| If it is malabar spinach, it will have little white flower followed by small black berries that will stain your fingers. The leaves are edible and delicious and the berries are used as a dye. I would NOT recommend eating it unless you are sure it is malabar.
Good luck. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 12, 2008
12:56 PM Post #5404340
| No chance that the plant is Basella alba, Malabar Spinach. The leaves are alternate, your plant has opposite leave. Malabar Spinach has leaves with wavy margins, your plant has scalloped margins. Your plant does not look like the Malabar Spinach in many gardens around here.
The picture above looks like Plectranthus australis in A. Graf, "Tropica". It looks like Plectranthus australis in nurseries around here. The size of leaves can be from variety, environment that it is grown in, the amount of fertilizer that you use.
Your plant is Plectranthus australis, Swedish Ivy. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 12, 2008
1:25 PM Post #5404491
| Images of Plectranthus australis: [HYPERLINK@images.google.com]
There is a listing for it in Plant Files but no information or photo's as yet: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 12, 2008
8:36 PM Post #5406018
| Hello all,
I just checked hardiness of plectranthus australis, supposedly only hardy to zone 11 or 10. Another way to check if it is a type of plectranthus: it is in the mint family and mints have a stem with a square cross-section. I don't know if this is a hard and fast rule, but photocat, if you roll the stem between your fingers and it feels angular rather than round at least you know it could still be a plectranthus, just maybe not P. australis. I was also considering Pilea 'Red Stem', but again only hardy to zone 10. I'll keep looking, this is an attractive plant. Can you tell me anything else about its growth habit? Does it spread around? Have you tried to propagate it? If so, by what method?
Thanks, Kathy |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 12, 2008
9:04 PM Post #5406127
| The stem is very thin, barely 1/16 inches wide and very difficult to tell either visually or by feel if it is angular but if I had to guess, I would say it is more angular than round. I am including another picture, one of a small cutting from the plant. have never tried to propagate but my guess is you could probably just place this cutting in water and it would grow roots. I think it is a very attractive plant. it has been in this pot forever, a fairly large pot and has survived with little care. it does not rise above the top of the pot and is now trailing over the edge of the pot. in its current location, it has not been a terribly fast grower. my mother and I both believe it is an herb because several years ago, I had a small herb garden in that same area. when crushed, the leaves have no minty odor. there is some kind of odor but I cannot discern what it might be. I know it is not thyme, rosemary, or lavender. I am so appreciative of everyone's efforts. thanks to all.
This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 9:59 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 12, 2008
9:04 PM Post #5406129
| Having square stems is a hard and fast rule, everything in that family has them. Of course there are a lot of things in that family, so it's not always a super helpful characteristic. But if the stems aren't square then it can't be Plectranthus. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 12, 2008
9:09 PM Post #5406155
| It sure is a pretty plant! I keep watching this thread in hopes to find out what it is! |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 13, 2008
11:58 AM Post #5408715
| Perhaps a type of germander? (Teucrium spp. also in the Lamiaceae family) The common ornamental types are more shrubby in habit, but there are 250 species th check out, so I'll let you know if any fit the description. |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 13, 2008
1:09 PM Post #5409094
| Hello again,
There are many very similar-looking genera in the mint family. This is getting really tough! Photocat, is your plant located in the shade? I am wondering why it is not flowering for you, perhaps insufficient sun is why, or maybe the soil is just tired out (I assume you have not fertilized it)? Also, can you look in the pot and tell me how it spreads? Does it have rhizomes (underground stems)? Stolons (above-soil stems that root ant the nodes)? Lack of sun might also be keeping the usually aggressive growth of mint family plants slowed down.
Keep the clues coming, this is good for keeping my ID skills sharp!
Kathy |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 13, 2008
3:50 PM Post #5409743
| The way it grows it's hard to believe it is not a member of the Lamiaceae.It just looks so familiar,but the stems do not look at all square.
This message was edited Aug 13, 2008 2:52 PM |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 13, 2008
8:19 PM Post #5410775
| I am beginning to think it is some kind of creeping thyme. your thoughts? |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 13, 2008
8:34 PM Post #5410826
| The leaves are too big--thyme has tiny leaves and given the pencil eraser reference in your more recent picture your leaves are way too big. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 13, 2008
9:50 PM Post #5411184
| I found this creeping thyme in Plant Files: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] but there's only one close photo and it doesn't look right.
and Wild creeping Thyme: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
Totally different looking foliage than your plant. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 13, 2008
9:55 PM Post #5411217
| hmm ... maybe a creeping jenny of some sort: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 14, 2008
9:10 AM Post #5412687
| It reminds me a little of Rosary Vine.Could it be something from that family? |
wormfood
Lecanto, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2008
3:52 PM Post #5414408
| Pinch it and tell us what it smells like. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2008
4:22 PM Post #5414508
| It does resemble Ceropegia (Rosary Vine, String of Hearts): [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] but I really don't think Ceropegia would survive outdoors in winter temp's in Virginia. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 14, 2008
4:27 PM Post #5414524
| I don't either.Something in the back of my head keeps telling me it's something with tiny leaves I grew indoors 20 years ago.But,with a head like mine,who knows...lol |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 14, 2008
4:32 PM Post #5414539
| Ceropegia woodii, the Rosary Vine has distinctly heart shaped leaves, and does not have scalloped margins. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 14, 2008
4:40 PM Post #5414569
| LOL Metro ... Yep, I should think and preview what I've written before hitting send! I meant to say that photocat's plant has the same trailing growth habit as ceropegia, but totally different foliage. |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 15, 2008
2:23 PM Post #5418695
| just a quick note to let you know I have not disappeared off the face of the Earth. it's just been a very busy week at my job and I have had no time to answer any of your questions. I can say there is no discernible smell to this plant. need to get back to wandygirl about the rhizomes and stolons. thanks to all of you. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 15, 2008
3:41 PM Post #5418984
| I too would be curious as to whether this plant has rhizomes, tuber or just roots. If you ever pull a bunch out of the pot, be sure to take a photo to post. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 15, 2008
5:33 PM Post #5419370
| Metro,
I also meant the growth habit and the way the vine hangs.I did not mean to imply that it WAS Rosary Vine.
Lynn |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 15, 2008
6:14 PM Post #5419581
| Thanks for the update, photocat. I'm watching this thread. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 15, 2008
6:33 PM Post #5419678
| No fret Lynn,
It would be good to see mature characters of this plant to verify its' epithet. Give it more light and nutrients. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 15, 2008
7:31 PM Post #5419949
| Metro,
You're good at keying things.The second picture shows a very distinct veining pattern,which wasn't noticeable in the first photo.Does that ring any bells for you?
Lynn |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 16, 2008
12:29 AM Post #5421102
| Hey Lynn, I took a good stare at the second picture. The veins are translucent in good light (not a determining factor that you see in a key). Photocat explained that the stems are angled. The scalloped leaves and growth habit still have me thinking it's a Plectranthus.
Aloha, Dave |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 16, 2008
1:32 PM Post #5422814
| It looks a lot like verticillatus,but that plant is a tropical or close to it.
[HYPERLINK@upload.wikimedia.org]
Lynn
This message was edited Aug 16, 2008 12:36 PM |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 16, 2008
1:53 PM Post #5422896
| Hey Lynn, what I have been calling Plectranthus australis, is Plectranthus verticillatus.
A. Graf, "Tropica" lists Plectranthus nummularius, syn. P. australis.
A newer flora, Staples & Herbst, "A Tropical Garden Flora" lists Plectranthus verticillatus, syn. P. nummularius.
Plectranthus verticillatus is the proper name for the plant, also commonly known as Swedish Ivy.
Mahalo, Dave |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 16, 2008
1:57 PM Post #5422910
| Thanks, Dave.I was looking at hundreds of pictures of Plectranthus on Google and it was calling about half of them Swedish Ivy,even though they were not the same.Very confusing!!
Lynn |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
2:16 PM Post #5422982
| I'm beginning to think it's in the Lamium family which someone may have already suggested. The leaf shape and growth habit sure resemble some of the deadnettles: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
I found this plant that looks similar, Lamium Galeobdolon. The photo on the right has the same shape to the foliage, just variegated: [HYPERLINK@www.arthurleej.com] |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 16, 2008
2:27 PM Post #5423018
| Plectranthus is in the Lamium or Mint Family, Lamiaceae. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
2:36 PM Post #5423047
| Metro: Yep, I knew someone had suggested the Lamium/Mint family. My first thought was Plectranthus and then I began doubting, but it sure doesn't seem to resemble anything but the Lamium family.
I would really like to know exactly which one ... would love to have some for my container plantings. I've looked at many, many different photo's of Lamium's and can't find one that looks identical to Photocats. I bet if her plant got more sun she would see blooms. It sure is a pretty plant. |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 16, 2008
4:38 PM Post #5423414
| Hello all, I was in my garden this morning cutting back the overgrown catmint, and ocurred to me that photocat's plant might be a type of nepeta. The typical garden variety catmint, Nepeta fassennii's leaves are more triangular-shaped, not rounded. A search on trailing catmint eventually led me to Glechoma hederacea, aka Nepeta hederacea, aka Nepeta glechoma; common name ground ivy. A well-known weed here, but in the UK it is sold as an ornamental and comes in a variegated form. Photocat mentions that the leaves sometimes have a reddish tint, which ground ivy will have if exposed to sun. Her plant is much more refined than common ground ivy, maybe there is a cultivar out there somewhere. Anyone ever heard of such a thing? |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
4:46 PM Post #5423449
| No, it's not Glechoma hederacea, the leaf shape isn't the same (plus creeping Charlie is such a common weed, I'm sure someone would have recognized it ages ago if that's what it was!) Even if it was a cultivar of that species, the leaf shape would be the same. |
velmansia
Antioch, TN
August 16, 2008
6:24 PM Post #5423772
| I am enjoying this guessing game of ...name that plant!
I am going with the lamium group..
Maybe there should be a prise "cutting" for the winner.
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 16, 2008
6:43 PM Post #5423836
| No reward necessary. I feel this mystery plant was solved early on with Plectranthus.
Would be good to here from its' cultivator! |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 16, 2008
6:48 PM Post #5423850
| we may be getting close. googled on Lamium galeobdolon and found something that looks very much like my plant. the photos that most resemble it are of Lamium argentatum. though the leaves in the picture at [HYPERLINK@commons.wikimedia.org] are variegated, this photo looks very much like my plant when viewed from above. |
suse
Bretten
(Germany)
August 16, 2008
6:53 PM Post #5423874
| I can't believe... [HYPERLINK@commons.wikimedia.org] |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 16, 2008
7:08 PM Post #5423942
| Lamium argentatum looks nothing like your plant. Have you looked at pictures of Plectranthus verticillatus yet? |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
7:11 PM Post #5423952
| I really don't think it's any species of Lamium, and it's definitely not L. galeobdolon or L. argentatum. I think maybe there's some confusion here over family vs genus--the plant does look like it's in family Lamiaceae, but that doesn't mean it's in genus Lamium, there are lots and lots of other genera in that family too. I'm still with Metro on it being a Plectranthus of some sort although I unfortunately don't have any suggestions as to the species. |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
7:14 PM Post #5423966
| Images of Plectranthus verticillatus: [HYPERLINK@images.google.com] |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
7:16 PM Post #5423975
| Looks very much like this P. verticillatus: [HYPERLINK@classes.hortla.wsu.edu] |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 16, 2008
8:09 PM Post #5424212
| Nice shots Lin. Looks like a match. With all of the suggestions, I'm starting to wonder if Photocat is playing with us. What's up Photocat? |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 16, 2008
8:20 PM Post #5424254
| I really have a hard time comparing unless I have photo's side by side, LOL. I keep going back to photocat's picture of the one stem with foliage and there's still something different in my view. I think it's the color and texture of the leaves but of course I guess light conditions will have an effect on the exact depth of color of foliage. Photo said her plant has never bloomed and she has had it for years but that could be because of the location too, or are there some Plectranthus that don't bloom? I know I've grown the common swedish ivy before with no blooms but it's because I've kept it in a very shady location.
|
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 17, 2008
12:25 PM Post #5426624
| Photo of Creeping Charlie.
[HYPERLINK@images.google.com]
Lynn |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 17, 2008
2:29 PM Post #5427136
| Could it be some type of Patchouli?
Lynn
Sorry,I don't think that's right,but the second photo keeps reminding me of Basil or something else from that family.
This message was edited Aug 17, 2008 2:48 PM |
wormfood
Lecanto, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 17, 2008
6:48 PM Post #5428177
| Happenstance would know if anyone knows the d-mail |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 17, 2008
7:14 PM Post #5428303
| Hello all. cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your efforts and input. I was at our local nursery today just browsing and came upon a plant that looks very much like my mystery plants, at least to my obviously untrained eye. do you think it could be Waterperry Speewell (Veronica spicata)? |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 18, 2008
10:56 AM Post #5430520
| I found the Veronica spicata in PF: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] photo's there look entirely different from the foliage in your photo. More images of V. spicata: [HYPERLINK@images.google.com] |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 18, 2008
11:27 AM Post #5430674
| Found this Trailing Veronica in Plant Files, only one photo: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
but, to my eyes the foliage still look a bit different than your plant. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 18, 2008
11:43 AM Post #5430768
| Photo of Veronica Persica
[HYPERLINK@images.google.com]
Lynn |
altagardener
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3b)
August 18, 2008
11:47 AM Post #5430794
| For the record, Veronica 'Waterperry Blue' isn't V. spicata - it's a hybrid, probably of V. peduncularis. I've never seen a veronica with the habit of the plant in question.
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
This message was edited Aug 18, 2008 8:48 AM |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 18, 2008
11:50 AM Post #5430821
| Scroll down to see Image of wall speedwell.
[HYPERLINK@images.google.com]
|
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 18, 2008
12:03 PM Post #5430872
| The V. persica looks to be the closest yet! I think it's just hard for my eyes because photocats pic's seem to have smooth dark leaves and all these photo's I've been looking through seem to have kinda hairy leaves but my eyes aren't what they used to be either! Here's the listing in PF for V. persica: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
More images of V. persica: [HYPERLINK@images.google.com] |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 18, 2008
12:05 PM Post #5430886
| More pic's I found of Veronica: [HYPERLINK@images.google.com] |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 18, 2008
12:31 PM Post #5431035
| There are a lot of pictures here.Maybe photocat will find the right one.To my poor eyes the two pictures in the original posts look like 2 different plants.
[HYPERLINK@search.live.com]
Lynn |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 18, 2008
2:35 PM Post #5431623
| I'm voting for Veronica 'Waterperry Blue'. I have it growing in my garden. I want to take a picture and post it, but the batteries in my camera need recharging! My plants do not have hairy leaves as in many of the other veronica pictures. It is growing in a shaded rock garden as a trailing ground cover. It has cute little pale blue flowers in early May here in CT (zone 6b). Photocat, I think you solved your own mystery. Bluestone Perrenials has it listed in their catalog. It must be of hybrid origin, the catalog does not list the latin name, which they usually do. Nice picture of the flowers in the catalog, hard to see the leaves. I will post a pic asap. BTW, I got my plants from a local nursery, not this catalog. |
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 18, 2008
3:22 PM Post #5431823
| OK, here is a photo. FYI Veronica is a member of the family Scrophulariaceae. It does not have angular stems as with the mint family plants. I can't find any information on the parentage of this plant, only that it was discovered at the Waterperry School of Horticulture in England. I love this plant. Lazy S's Farm also has it for sale. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
wandygirl
Brookfield, CT
August 18, 2008
5:24 PM Post #5432311
| I meant to add that the white circle in the photo is a dime, for size comparison. Funny, how you can search like crazy for something and find it right under your nose. Or foot, in this case.
|
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
 August 18, 2008
5:43 PM Post #5432405
| If the leaves were larger, I'd guess Glechoma (aka "creeping charlie")... |
wormfood
Lecanto, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 18, 2008
8:20 PM Post #5433030
| [HYPERLINK@www.hear.org] |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 18, 2008
8:40 PM Post #5433137
| Plectranthus parviflorus, a native in Hawai'i, does not grow like the above plant. It likes very arid full sun environments. It make small clumps, rather than trail around. |
wormfood
Lecanto, FL
(Zone 9a)
August 20, 2008
4:51 PM Post #5443039
| Well, I give up, no such plant exists. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 20, 2008
5:40 PM Post #5443217
| I think Plectranthus is still the solution.
Instead of looking for characters that don't match the plant, find ones which do match. |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
August 21, 2008
12:24 AM Post #5445246
| Are any plectranthus species frost-hardy? I didn't think any were... |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 21, 2008
12:59 AM Post #5445355
| The mystery plant is described as living in a pot. Is it placed indoors for the winter? |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
August 21, 2008
9:36 AM Post #5446257
| I don't think so: [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 21, 2008
9:40 AM Post #5446281
| I looked through some Plectranthus species in PF and there were a couple in there that were listed as hardy to zone 7b/8a. None of them looked like this one, but at least it shows that there are a couple that are frost tolerant so it is at least somewhat possible that there are others that would be hardy. Although being in a pot makes it tougher since that usually knocks a bit off the hardiness. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 21, 2008
12:15 PM Post #5447117
| I found reference to a rare cultivar Plectranthus kameba that is said to be a woodland plant hardy to zone 0?? I will try to find more about this plant.
Lynn
Not the correct one.It grows to 3 feet tall.
This message was edited Aug 21, 2008 12:04 PM |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 21, 2008
3:28 PM Post #5448066
| Gee whiz. my plant and I feel like celebrities, what with all the attention. first the picture posted by wandygirl, the one with the dime, looks more like my plant than anything else I have seen. to answer some of your questions, plant has never been brought inside (I have actually seen it with a layer of snow on top of it), it does not get much sun, I sometimes remember to water it, it does not have either hairy leaves or stems. the plant seems to invite touching. folks just always seem to want to touch it. one thing for sure ... when I do find out what it is, I am going to place a marker on it. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 21, 2008
5:16 PM Post #5448402
| In reference to my last post above,perhaps one of you who are more informed than I,can explain to me what Zone 0 is.
Photocat,if we ever figure this out it's a must for Plant Files.
Lynn |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
August 21, 2008
5:41 PM Post #5448491
| Zone 1 is pretty much the Arctic Circle. I guess Zone 0 could be the North Pole! |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
August 21, 2008
5:51 PM Post #5448532
| I saw the zone 0 on the PFAF site...I suspect it's a typo (should be zone 10), or it's a default for when they aren't certain of the hardiness zone. It would be a little odd to have one species extremely hardy amid a bunch of others that are pretty tender (I can overwinter 'Mona Lavender' in my greenhouse) and several that are VERY tender. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 21, 2008
8:46 PM Post #5449411
| Since there is no zone 0 I also suspect it's a typo and they accidentally left off the 1 from zone 10. Many of the other Plectranthus species are only hardy to zone 10 so that would make a lot of sense. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 21, 2008
8:56 PM Post #5449476
| I do understand that,but it is supposed to be hardy in most of Britain,and comes from the mountains of Japan.It is a little known plant,but many fairly winter hardy plants come from the same area.Hence,I'm confused.
Lynn
Plectranthus excisus appears to be a syn. and it is found in Russia and Siberia.
This message was edited Aug 21, 2008 8:04 PM |
Surreybrit
Big Lake, MN
(Zone 4a)
August 21, 2008
9:09 PM Post #5449529
| I debated with myself about posting this, but someone much more knowledgeable than I said it was not such a dumb question as I had thought. So here goes:
I know nothing about ID'ing a plant but I am a bit confused. It was originally stated the leaves are only about 1/4" wide so I tried to count the number of leaves along the outside of the pot, adding a few for good measure and it seemed that would make it a pretty small pot to winter over outside or survive with the neglect you say it gets. If you look at the photo of the cutting and the stem as stated is about 1/16" the leaves seem to be much bigger than 1/4" in comparison. Can someone point out where my figuring has gone wrong. I keep going back over the posts to see if any correction in size was made, maybe I missed it.
Numbers and measurements certainly are not my strong point.
Photocat would you please post a picture showing a ruler or measuring stick across the top of the pot. I could probably then get this thread from running around in my brain. |
photocat
Colonial Heights, VA
August 22, 2008
10:44 AM Post #5451869
| out of town and won't be able to post a pic with ruler but leaves are somewhere between 1/4 to 1/2 inches at their widest point. I have never measured the pot but I am guessing that it is a 14 inch wide pot. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 22, 2008
12:00 PM Post #5452278
| FYI everyone.There is a zone 0a and 0b on Canadian zone charts.
Lynn |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
August 22, 2008
1:44 PM Post #5452844
| Lynn, that's true. But there are very few plants that are hardy past zone 2. (In fact your choices get pretty limited from 4 on down.)
It's highly unlikely that a Plectranthus would be hardy to zone 0, considering most of them will die if exposed to even a brief period of freezing temperatures. |
lbrabec
Omaha, NE
(Zone 5a)
August 22, 2008
1:53 PM Post #5452889
| Terry,
I know Plectranthus is rarely hardy below Zone 8,but I have found articles on the internet referring to it growing through the snow in Russia and Siberia.I thought maybe it was being confused with another family,but is identified as being a member of the Lamiaceae.
Lynn |
