Identification: please help me identify this plant

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by mad scientist, Jun 21, 2011.

  1. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    my grandad died last week . I am trying to identify a plant he has grown from seed that now takes up half the living room. My gram wants to find it a new home but we need to know what it is and anything else you can tell me about I'm trying to upload a photo from my phone so bare with me I'm not very technical!
     
  2. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    Ok I.can't.seem to upload photo.from phone so I'll do it on the computer tomorrow
     
  3. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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  4. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    My sympathy to you on losing your grandpa.

    Until you can get photos up, can you give us a verbal description of the plant? Leaf shape, size, color, growth habit, flowers if any? All details welcome! We have some members here who may well be able to ID your plant by this method alone.

    Applause to you for wanting to help your grandma, and the plant.

    P.S. After posting this, saw that Eric had already said pretty much the same thing!
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2011
  5. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    The plant reaches right up to the ceiling, it has very large dark green leaves that are almost an oval shape. The stems come straight out the siol almost in a straight line. there is no bulb at base. It looks like something from a hot.climate.l
     
  6. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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  7. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    No. The leaves are much larger, about three to four foot in lenth and about one foot in width at the widest part.
    I have now started up the very slow computer so I'll try and get a picture up
     
  8. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    Hopefully there are now attachments of the plant. Fingers crossed
     

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  9. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Banana?
     
  10. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    I hope not! I don't think so I'm certain even I would have remembered that one. You see the problem with it's size. I hopeing to find somewhere that has a nice high roof that can house it properly.
     
  11. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Looks more like Strelitzia, bird of paradise.

    Banana leaves join together to form something like a single stem, that makes them look like a tree.
     
  12. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Yup, Strelitzia nicolae, most likely. If it's nice and sunny and not too windy outdoors, you can put it out for the summertime at least.
     
  13. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Wow! Grown from seed? Cool.
     
  14. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    Your all amazing! Thankyou so much:)
     
  15. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    I've had a look at the strelitzia and I don't think thats it. The bottom of the plant is different and it has never flowered. When I go down to mamma today I'll take some better pictures and post them later to night. Thanks all.
     
  16. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Maybe Ravenala madagascariensis?
     
  17. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    more pictures to help
     

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  18. roneill

    roneill Active Member 10 Years

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    It doesn't look like strelitzia or banana but whatever it is, I want one!!!
     
  19. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    Well I have one that needs a good.home
     
  20. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Are there any botanical gardens in your area that could adopt your massive plant?
     
  21. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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  22. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Worth a phone call! A personal visit, even.
    mad sci: Why not send this very post to the appropriate person at Kew and see what happens?
    This plant deserves it!
     
  23. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    In fact, the botanists at RBG Kew might recognize it on sight. I'll second the reccomendation that you send them this thread!
     
  24. mad scientist

    mad scientist Member

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    How do I send them a thread? I've been on there website and they don't seem to take questions on plants.
     
  25. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    That's odd for a botanical garden - in my experience they're the best people to ask. Perhaps call their switchboard and tell them you've got a beautiful Strelitzia specimen you're thinking of donating to the gardens - that might give you an in.

    I've been looking though my files on Strelizia, and I'm now 100% confident that what you've got is S. nicolae, which forms smallish trees and has a growth habit similar to Ravenala madagascariensis.
     

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