Leathery small plant, can you help?

Discussion in 'Plant ID' started by carolyn, May 7, 2011.

  1. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Does anyone have an idea as to what this could be? flower or weed? I don't recognize it. It has leathery serrated oblate leaves coming alternately from the central stem. the picture next to the delphinium is for size comparison.

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    Weed or Flower? ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )

    Thanks for any help. Carolyn



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    weed or flower next to delphinium? ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
     
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  3. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Looks like Sedum. Not sure which one, except it's like one I got several years ago. Now I guess I will find out which one it is. Mine has pink flowers in the fall.

    I will look for a picture.

    Jerry
     
  4. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    O.K. I went outside(it's raining) and took a picture......close....probably not the same cultivar.

    Jerry

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    Sedum ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden )
     
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  5. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Hi Jerry,
    you just beat me to it,..it was raining heavier here,lol.

    Sedum is correct,

    Here it is in my garden.


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    ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )





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    ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )
     



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  6. daisybeans

    daisybeans Hardy Maple

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    Phillip - are those flowers on the sedum? That's very pretty.... What is the type of sedum, if you know?
     
  7. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Hi Maryann,
    yes those flowers bloom in abundance at the height of the summer,..i have grown this Sedum in long narrow containers to create a border,..this is Sedum cauticola.
     
  8. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Ohhhh, nice flowers Philip, I have filed the name away for future reference.

    Carolyn, still working on finding the correct cultivar.

    Jerry
     
  9. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Hi Jerry, I really don't think this is a sedum at all. It has thin leathery leaves, not thick succulent leaves. I have sedum in my flower bed on the other side of the house and this does not resemble it at all. It really does not have a rosette of leaves, it has a single leaf that is rolled from the top and center of the stem. When I was weeding in the front where this is at, I saw another one and it had 2 rhizome like stems starting to creep away from the plant. I am really thinking that it is a weed, but truly have no idea. If you look at the sedum it has opposite leaves. the plant I have has alternate leaves.
     
  10. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Hi Carolyn,
    it would certainly have fooled me were it in my garden,..i would have assumed it to be a Sedum,..not necessarily my Sedum but one of many,..weeds have a way of coping flower plants,..that's if its a weed!,..do keep one in a flower pot i would love to see the outcome,..here is another close up of my Sedum.


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    ( photo / image / picture from Philip Nulty's Garden )
     
  11. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Hey Philip and Jerry, I went out, in the dark, with a flash light to get a few more pictures for you. Do these help any?

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    ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )





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    ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )

    You can see how thin the leaf is in between my fingers.If you look closely at the base of the plant, I pulled it over a little, you can see where the stems are starting to grow out. Maybe looking as if it will make a matt/groundcover of some kind. Thanks, Carolyn
     
  12. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Hi Carolyn,
    :stew2: :stew1: the antics we gardeners get up to!,..you heading out in the dark with flash light in hand,.. to take a picture!,..and Jerry and i went out in the RAIN and WIND and COLD,lol.

    Now that i see your mystery plant/weed its not like my Sedum,..or any that i know,..very thin leaves eliminate it,..and so its still looking for a name.
     
  13. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    One of the fun parts of gardening is finding names for our 'mystery plants.' Yes, Sedum is ruled out. When faced with a mystery I often let the plant go through a complete cycle. Even to put it into a pot to monitor so as to not loose track of it.
    This prevents spread if it turns out to be undesirable. The hunt continues. :)

    Jerry
     
  14. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Thanks Jerry and Philip. I will leave the plant for the time being. As soon or if I found out what it is, I'll post my findings.
     
  15. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Hi Carolyn!
    My guess is Sea Holly - that's what it looks like in the first photo. But then in your second set of photos it reminds me of Shasta Daisy. Just a shot in the dark here ... sounds like we may have to wait and see it grow and bloom.
     
  16. daisybeans

    daisybeans Hardy Maple

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    You know, now that Netty has said daisy.... I think that's a good possibility..... The leaves come up around that way.... yes, good chance.
     

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