A conifer look-alike

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by jaro_in_montreal, Jan 25, 2009.

  1. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    Took these photos at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, a month ago.
    The seed pods (?) are shown in the last two photos, next to a pen and a few Cupresus cones.

    Anyone know what it is ?

    Thanks in advance.
     

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  2. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    If not Grevillea, certainly something in the family Proteaceae.
     
  4. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    Having Googled a great many photos, it looks to me like the plant is more likely a Banksia than a Grevillea.
    But no good match anywhere.
    So I sent an e-mail to the San Diego WAP, requesting that they ID it.
    Stay tuned....
     
  5. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    From further Googling, it appears that the plant is more likely from the Myrtaceae family -- possibly Melaleuca, Callistemon, or Darwinia.
     
  6. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Did it smell cypressy??

    Liz
     
  7. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    I think that all I could smell was the dung from the nearby elephant compound :O)

    Sorry, I really don't recall any noticeable smell....
     
  8. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Ooops, yes, could well be Myrtaceae.
     
  9. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    I just received a reply from the Lead Gardener at the park.

    Here's what he writes:
    Thanks again for the reply, Robert.
     
  10. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    So I got a bunch of seeds from a supplier in south-western Australia.
    Mostly Calothamnus species, but also Regalia velutina and Beaufortia decussata.
    The Calothamnus seeds are almost microscopic -- as are the seedlings that come up.....
    Has anyone else here tried to propagate these ? .....the germination rate for some of them is pretty low.
     

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