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| DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE MYSTERY FLOWER? | |
| Published: July 12, 1997 | |
It blooms below ground.Q:A friend showed me a "mystery" flower and challenged me to identify it. Hints were 1) it comes from a common plant that most gardeners see every day, and 2) the flower blooms below ground. I finally figured it out. Im enclosing pictures in case you and your readers would like to test your skill.A:This is a tough one because its not often that we see an aspidistra flower. Its about one inch in diameter and bell-shaped, and the color is maroon to brownish-purple. It is produced underneath or about even with the ground, and sometimes actually opens underground without emerging from the soil. Its unlikely that gardeners will ever see one of the flowers unless, as I do, they do a lot of dividing of aspidistra plants. Thanks for sharing such excellent pictures.Aspidistra elatior has a lot of common names including Cast-Iron Plant, Bar-Room Plant and Chinese Parlor Plant. They all refer to the plants ability to withstand neglect and low light. References to bar-rooms and parlors reflect the plants history as one of the first house plants. With a little light and even casual watering and fertilizing, aspidistra makes an impressive indoor container plant. Outdoors, aspidistra leaves split and turn brown in full sun as is evident when new homeowners use the plants under small trees. In shade, however, the glossy, leathery dark green leaves make a beautiful, durable and easy-care ground cover as well as filling other landscaping needs. New variegated selections are available with leaves striped, banded or spotted. An oversupply of water, fertilizer and good soil causes a loss of variegation, indicating that stress is the key to maintaining variegation. Cajundome trees a handsome lotQ:Can you identify the trees in the atrium of the Cajundome? They can be seen as one walks down the ramps. The bark is smooth and green, whether from moss I cant tell.A:These attractive trees are Firmiana simplex, or Chinese Parasol Tree, also called Varnish Tree. The trunk is smooth and green, topped with a rounded, umbrella-like crown.Parasol Tree is deciduous, thriving in full sunlight to partial shade, and growing quickly for the first five to seven years. Average height is about 25 feet. Lower branches are seldom produced. The trees are propagated by seeds, and volunteers are often seen around mature trees. You need to know someone to propagate Butterfly VineQ:Any chance of getting Butterfly Vine seeds?A:Butterfly Vine is easily propagated by cuttings or layering so its unlikely that seeds are readily available. The plants can sometimes be found at local nurseries, so try calling around. Also, rooted cuttings and large vines are available at Antique Rose Ville, south of New Iberia, on Freyou Road just off of Highway 90. Call ahead to check (318-367-3000). |