Please Help Me ID this Flower......

19 years ago

I LOVE this flower, so I am anxious to ID it!

I believe it originated from last year's seed swap because I don't recognize it as anything I have purchased over the last couple of years.

I hope I can describe it well enough for it to be identified:

It is a clumping plant in that the leaves start at ground level and then vertically go up a center stalk. The leaves are 12" long, a soft lime green color and veined. The center vein is a lighter shade of green. The edges are smooth, but there is a slight tacky feel to the underside of the leaves. It has reached a height of 3'.

From the center stalk, at the very top, several seed pods have emerged that encircle the top of the stalk. From the pods emerge flowers that are white with very long, thin 3" necks that open to a small 1" flower at the tip. These flowers point downward.

It resembles all white fireworks in that these flowers all flare from the stalk and dip downward. Overall these flowers have a tropical feel to them , although I may be all wrong on that point!

What do you think?

Thanks,

Marilyn

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Comments (7)

thegardenangel
19 years ago
Hi Marilyn,

Sounds like Mirabilis longiflora to me, but the leaves aren't 12" long... ?

Is it this one?

Maria

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet Four-O-Clock
fammsimm
Original Author
19 years ago
Maria,

The flowers are solid white with no stamens, and the leaves are much larger, but you had a really good guess based on my description, and I appreciate your help! The spray of white flowers does resemble the white 4 O'clock so you were on the right track.

I just thought of something. The flowers strongly resemble stephanotis in shape.

Marilyn
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dem_pa
19 years ago
How about nicotiana sylvestris.

http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/dog-garden-path/nicotiana-sylvestris-flower.html

dem_pa
Eduarda
19 years ago
Marilyn, could it be Nicotiana sylvestris "Only the Lonely"? I remember I got seeds for this two years ago in our seed swap, but unfortunately, even though they germinated promptly, I lost them to some sort of damp off :-( Last year I had this one on my wish list for Tracy, but apparently this was not sent to the trade, so I couldn't get it. Is it possible you got it two years ago from our swap? I hope it is Only the Lonely, because then you may get a chance to save seed for our swap this year! :-)

Eduarda
fammsimm
Original Author
19 years ago
dem_pa and Eduarda,

That's it! I just viewed the link you sent dem, and their description and picture matched mine exactly, except mine is not quite as big.

One funny thing is that I do grow Nicotiana but the leaf structure and size of this variety is so different from what I have been able to grow, plus I am not detecting a scent.

Eduarda, I will absolutely send you seeds for this beauty!

Thanks to all,
Marilyn
thegardenangel
19 years ago
Ooh that is a lovely plant! I don't think I've grown this variety before. Glad you identified your mystery plant! :)

Maria
fammsimm
Original Author
19 years ago
I just noticed that I had a couple of pictures left on my camera, so I snapped some pics of the Nicotiana. I'll have them put on a cd and post them probably Monday or Tuesday.

Happy Gardening and thanks again!
Marilyn