Plant Identification

What Is The Purple Flowering Plant

January 11, 2010 by Jamie Jamison Adams 5 Comments

Ask the Expert: Unknown flowering plant

Datura Stramonium

Can someone please identify this flowering plant. Giovanni

Plant Expert Reply:

The plant you have is a Datura stramonium. It is sometimes referred to as a thornapple, Devil’s Apple. Jamestown-weed. Jimson-weed. Stinkweed. Devil’s Trumpet. Apple of Peru. A native of tropical America, it can be found throughout the world, except the colder or Arctic regions. In North America, it blooms May Through October. I assume in Bermuda (where you live), the flowering season is extended.

This beautiful flower is considered a weed in many areas because of the rank odor it produces. The smell is not the only undesirable quality of this plant. Although this plant has been used as a medicinal herb ( as an antispasmodic, anodyne and narcotic), the alkaloids produces in this plant can be highly toxic.

All parts of the plant are poisonious. Wash hands after handling the plant and do not rub eyes, nose or mouth until hand have been washed. Don’t let children or pets ingest this plant.

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What Is This Purple Flowering Vine Found In Oklahoma?

September 22, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: Purple Flowering Vine
We live in central Oklahoma. It is now mid September and my neighbor brought me these purple flowers off a vine he found growing up his cucumber trellis.

: Purple Hyacinth Bean Vine Bloom

: Hyacinth Bean Vine Bloom

He has lived in his home for 29 years and did not plant this flower. The vine is purplish in color and the blossoms are shapped similar to a butterfly. I hope the pictures show you enough detail for identification. Sandy

Plant Expert Reply:

It looks like a hyacinth bean vine (Dolichos lablab) bloom. You should start to see purple bean pods. This vine with heart-shaped leaves is considered a short-lived perennial in frost-free areas. Most people grow it as an annual.

Although the beans can be cooked and eaten, they are poisonous when eaten raw. Birds probably dropped the seeds in your neighbors garden.

Filed Under: Flower Identification Tagged With: Dolichos lablab, Plant Identification, Purple Flowers, Vines

What Is This – A Fern?

September 8, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

: Fern?

Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this and how can I save it?
Hi,

Do you know what kind of plant this is? It has flat ‘catus-shaped’ leaves.

Do you know how I can save it? It’s losing a lot of leaves . . .

Please help!

Thanks, Jen

Plant Expert Reply:

This has been a hard one for me. It kind of looks like a fern but not exactly like a staghorn fern. My guess would be either a Phlebodium aureum ‘Mandaianum” (Rabbit Foot Fern) or a Polypodium californiucum.

To make a better identification I would need photos of the back side of the leaves and the area where the leaves are coming from.

From what I can tell, the plant probably has a water stress issue. Is the soil dry? Is any excess water draining from the container? If the soil is dry water it and keep it moist. If the plant is sitting in water re-pot it into a container that has drain holes. Then keep the soil moist but not soggy. I also suggest exposing it to more light.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Ferns, Plant Identification

Identify These Pinnate Oval Scalloped Leaves

September 2, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 2 Comments

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this plant/flower?

Pinnate Leaves & Blooms

The growth habit is erect. It’s leaves are pinnate, in an alternate arrangement, they are oval, scalloped, have an uneven base and a blunt tip. I live in zone 3, southern Alberta Canada. Shelly

Plant Expert Reply:

Can you tell me a little more about this plant. I am having trouble
identifying it. It could be Agastache (hyssops) or Sanguisorba (burnet) or something in the mint family. Does it have a scent? Are they growing in a high and dry environment or a low boggy environment? In sun or shade? The bloom-like structure in the picture – fresh or a spent bloom?

Once I get the answers to these questions, I should be able to pinpoint the
id.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Canada, Plant Identification

Pink Blooming Succulent Is A Kalanchoe

September 2, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 1 Comment

Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this?

Pink Kalanchoe

The leaves appear to be a succulent, because they are thick and spongy. The flowers are like heather… Heather

Plant Expert Reply:

You have a succulent called Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. This happens to have pink flowers but they also come in yellow, white, red and orange. Give it bright filtered light and keep moist to the dry side. Watch for pests like aphids and mealybugs. If kept too wet, kalanchoes can develop powdery mildew, leaf spot, as well as , crown and root rot.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Flower Identification, Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Plant Identification

You Can Call Me Persicaria Lapathifolium – Smartweed

August 31, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: What is the name of this flowering plant?

Knotweed

Hi,

This plant was about 1″ tall this May and I thought it was Oleander. Now 3 months later it is more than 3feet tall and started growing multiple buds off of a single stalk. What is the name of this plant? Niru

Plant Expert Reply:

I believe the plant is a Persicaria lapathifolium commonly known as a knotweed or in this case a pale smartweed. Although some states consider it a weed, in Illinois it is considered a native wildflower. It likes marshy or boggy types areas. It will attract bees, wasps, flies and small butterflies. This plant contributes to the habitat for wetland areas by giving several caterpillar species a food source. These caterpillars become the food source for many types of wildlife including waterfowl.

Keep in mind this plant can become weedy and very invasive.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Knotweed, Persicaria, Plant Identification

What Is This Delicate Vine With Small Pinkish-Purple Bloom?

August 31, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: Can you identify this blooming vine?

Beggers Lice

I saw this vine a few days ago in wooded area next to gravel road.

Desmodium
Vine seems to be at least 4 feet tall, blooms are sparse, blooms late July-early August. Leaves are 3 in cluster. Thanks. Debbie

Plant Expert Reply:
It looks similar to a sweet pea but I don’t think it is. I am investigating
a few possiblities. Is this plant crawling on the ground or more up right.
What state did you find it in – this will help me narrow down the choices.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Blooming Vine, Desmodium, Flower Identification, Plant Identification

What Is This Trailing Plant With Blooms?

August 28, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: Can you tell me what this plant is

Trailing Plant With Blooms

I have had this plant for many years, it bloomed about 7 years ago and once done blooming, I repotted it and just about killed it. It has finally started to bloom again, but I have not idea what it is or how to take care of it properly. If you could identify provide me with information on it that would be great. Cindy

Plant Expert Reply:

Ever see someone you know and their name just won’t come to mind. It is very frustrating. Well this plant is creating the same frustration. I seen it before and the name just won’t come to me. I am confident that it is in the Gesneriaceae family, but as to the genus and species I am stumped. Possible genus that come to mind are Aeschynanthus, Columnea, Gloxinia, Nemathanthus and even Sinningia.

Most of these plants need bright light, moist but well-drained soil and warm humid environments.

I wish I could be more specific. An up-close picture of the blooms and leaves might help.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Plant Identification

What Are These White Flowers With Berries?

August 28, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams 6 Comments

Ask the Expert: Can you identify this plant?

Hi – this plant has tiny white flowers with 5 petals and small green berry clusters (I don’t know if the berries will change color eventually). Can you identify it?

Thanks
Kimberly
Los Angeles

Plant Expert Reply:

It is a little difficult to tell from the picture, but I think it is Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). It is not actually a true nettle. The berries should turn a yellowish color. Carolina Horsenettle has spines on the stems and is considered a noxious weed in most states. It also has toxic properties. Be careful when your handle it. Take a look at the Carolina Horsenettle on the MissouriPlants.com site for a positive identification.

Filed Under: Plant Identification Tagged With: Ask The Plant Expert, Carolina Horsenettle, Flower Identification, Plant Identification, Solanum carolinese

Is This Plant A Pumpkin?

August 27, 2009 by Jamie Jamison Adams

Ask the Expert: Pumpkin?

Young Pumpkin Plant

Last year I threw old pumpkins that were not cut open in my back yard. I think they were just the small kind you use to cook with and they are hard to cut. Anyways now this year there is a big mysterious plant growing close to where the old pumpkins were. In the background you cant see it very well but the pumpkin is still there and has seed there still too.

Pumpkin With Bloom Pods

Also on the other picture it looks like more leaves or maybe those yellow flowers are growing that grow on pumpkin plants. I was just wondering if this is a pumpkin plant and if so what can i do to keep it growing to grow pumpkins for this year? Amanda

Plant Expert Reply:

Yes, it seems to be a pumpkin plant. However, your pumpkins may be slightly different than the orginal plant depending on the cross pollination that occurred last year.

Your plant looks healthy and should produce pumpkins without any problems. Basically water and fertilizer it the plant. When you water try not to wet the foliage. Instead apply water at the ground level. You can use a water soluble fertilize or a granular fertilizer. On pumpkins I like to use a granular slow-release fertilizer. I have been using milogranite on my squash, cucumbers and the like. So you might try it.

You should see pumpkins start to form as soon as the blooms open up.

Filed Under: Plant Care Questions Tagged With: Plant Care Questions, Plant Identification, Pumpkins

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