Regarding unknowns --

carmen_grower_2007

18 years ago

The only way to accurately identify an unknown is to do a DNA test. Next best thing is to have the identical correct plant right next to it to compare color, height, etc. I think it is unfair of seasoned daylily experts to continue to pretend that a unknown seedling can be identified by a picture.

When I look at these pictures of plants people want identified, I usually can think of at least 10 possibilities and the best guess is probably wrong. We all have a good selection of 'unks' and seedlings, many of which are among our favorites.

The problem with so many inaccurate identifications is that they go into commerce and are sold and traded. Most people who acquire a miss-labeled plant don't really care but then there will be that one person who wants the correct identity for some reason and may not realize how impossible that will be.

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Comments (2)

Edward_Kimball
18 years ago
Hi Carmen,

In some cases you are right but in others the blooms are very distinctive. In the Moonlit Masquerade thread. I would be willing to bet a fan of JT Davis that the one picture is in fact Raspberry Candy. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. In the most recent ID thread I could not even guess at any of the four but maybe someone out there is as certain about one of them as I am in the other thread. anyway, it can't hurt to ask.

Edward
carmen_grower_2007
Original Author
18 years ago
Edward, I know you are very knowledgeable about daylilies, but in this case I have to respectfully disagree with you. Even in the most unique of daylilies (PAPER BUTTERFLY and SCATTERBRAIN come to mind in the older catagory) there will be look-alike seedlings that may be slightly different in size, budding/branching, or height but will be almost identical in a photo.

Granted, many of these seedlings will be a far improvement to the original, but won't be the same named cultivar. With well over 50,000 registrations in commerce, there have to be close duplicates and because any and everything can be registered, the value of any one daylily suffers IMHO.
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