That reminds me, have you seen War of the Worlds yet :)

I give up. What is it?

Abutilon theophrasti?

Or some type of Malva?
~Rosemarie

It's the fruit from Illicium floridanum.
Rosemarie, did I really stump you???!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pix of dried Illicium floridanum fruit

Yes indeed you DID, Joyce!!! :D

I don't believe I've ever seen that plant. Mighty interesting! Thanks for the mystery!

~Rosemarie

Rosemarie, just found the pic of the shrub before I planted it...
Check out the blossoms!
{{gwi:61892}}

Oh WOW! I'm going to have to GET one of those! It's beautiful, Joyce! Where DO you find these treasures?!

~Rosemarie

I found this one at a Garden Center about an hour away (west) called Roslyn Nursery.
You can find them online too.

You can also order this one from Wayside Gardens, which is also offering it in it's new variegated form.
Of course I could not resist, so ordered one already. :)

One thing I must say, my Illicium has doubled in size since I bought it in early summer.
The foliage is very similar to a Rhodie, but pointier leaves.

Also, mine gets full sun in the morning, and shade after 12:30-ish.
Constant moisture from an inground sprinkler system, but planted in well drained soil.
It's LOVING these conditions here, growing VERY fast.

Here is a link that might be useful: Roslyn Nursery

Thanks for all the info, Joyce! I'll check it out!

~R