The Orchid Garden

Name this plant

Question:

Kim, sound a lot like a night blooming Cereus.                                 John Z

Response:

Kim, sound a lot like a night blooming Cereus.                            John Z

Well I have one of those too.  My grandmother gave it to me, but it’s *never* bloomed.  Right now it’s out on the front porch.  What am I doing wrong?  What do I need to do?  It’s probably pretty close to root bound (which I know makes other plants (esp. Sanseveria and Chlorophytum) bloom). Susan — I can’t even find time to clean house and you want me to come up with a .sig?      B.A. in Computer Science … Graduate Student in Botany

Response:

I hope that someone can help me identify this plant so that I can look it up in the plant dictionary.  This is a catus-like plant with new young leaves form from the edge  of the mature leaves.

You’re right, it is a cactus, but the "leaves" are flattened stems. Flowers don’t grow on leaves… that’s a big clue that you’re dealing with a flattened stem. The leaves are about over 20" long and 4" wide. The flowers are blooming this time of year (late summer).  The flower buds also form from the edge of the mature leaves.  The flower buds are pink, but the actual flowers are white.  The flowers are huge (about 12" across).  The special characteristics of the flowers that they only bloom at night and it only last for one night.  In the next morning, the flowers are closed and the buds are wilted.

You’ve probably got a hybrid of Epiphyllum (orchid cactus)… sometimes put in the genus Nopalxochia.  The hybrids are usually called E. ackermannii, but that’s only one of the parents. Another posibility is that you’re got a Disocactus (aka Pseudorhipsalis or Chiapasia).  As near as I can tell, the cactophiles spend most of their time changing names and making hybrids…  Oh well, keeps taxonomists occupied…  ;-) Kay Klier   Biology Dept  UNI

Response:

I hope that someone can help me identify this plant so that I can look it up in the plant dictionary.  This is a catus-like plant with new young leaves form from the edge  of the mature leaves. The leaves are about over 20" long and 4" wide. The flowers are blooming this time of year (late summer).  The flower buds also form from the edge of the mature leaves.  The flower buds are pink, but the actual flowers are white.  The flowers are huge (about 12" across).  The special characteristics of the flowers that they only bloom at night and it only last for one night.  In the next morning, the flowers are closed and the buds are wilted. My brother gave me couple mature leaves about two years ago. I sticked them in a pot and water them once in awhile.  Certainly this year, I got three flowers from a somewhat semi-bushy plant. He doesn’t know the name of the plant, but told me that the blooms are very spectacular.  Now, I have seem the flowers, I would agree with him.   So, can anyone in the net identify the name of this plant for me?? Thanks, Kim

Response:

Sounds like _Eranthis hyemalis_, also known as winter aconite in my neck

I second this ID.                                -Sue Sanders

Response:

please.  The plant is about three inches high, no leaves on the bottom two inches of the stem.  Then there is a spiral ruffle of leaves shaped like rosemary leaves only longer and more supple and not the silver color of rosemary.  This ruffle is like an Elizabethan collar under a four petaled buttercup yellow flower about an inch across with a fuzzy center about half the size of the flower.  The flower closes at night. Thanks. KT Lyons

Response:

please.  The plant is about three inches high, no leaves on the bottom two inches of the stem.  Then there is a spiral ruffle of leaves shaped like rosemary leaves only longer and more supple and not the silver color of rosemary.  This ruffle is like an Elizabethan collar under a four petaled buttercup yellow flower about an inch across with a fuzzy center about half the size of the flower.  The flower closes at night.

Sounds like _Eranthis hyemalis_, also known as winter aconite in my neck of the woods.  It is in the family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family) and usually blooms in late February to March, depending on where you are. –L. — * (l)Laura Zurawski, with special guest appearances by Vector and Daja *   Disclaimer: My opinions do not represent those of CCSO, blah blah blah.

Response:

Filed under: Orchid Flower

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