identification help please

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Juley Ross, Oct 16, 2006.

  1. Juley Ross

    Juley Ross Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastbourne, East Sussex UK
    I have some seeds from a wonderful exotic plant but don't know the name so need your help! The plant is growing outdoors on our seafront, very tall maybe ten feet, spiky variegated leaves about half the plant's height, with bunches of seed pods which contain large black seeds. I believe the flowers were some 4-5 inches long on eight feet stalks, and I think purple. Any help identifying the plant would be most welcome - thanks.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. pierrot

    pierrot Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    531
    Likes Received:
    24
    Location:
    British Columbia
  3. flourish

    flourish Member

    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    New Zealand
    It does look like a flax seed pod, they grow here in New Zealand in swamps and coastal areas. Phomuim tenax or Harakeke is a large plant the flower spikes are up to 5 meters tall, while the plant is around 4 meters tall. Your pod looks like it come from a large plant. Native birds such as our Tui and Bellbird love to drink the nectar from the flowers.
    There are now a lot of lovely smaller varieties with rich red viriegration. http://www.foxtailfarms.com
    http://www.alibrown.co.nz/gathering-flax.html you might like to try your hand at weaving
     
  4. flourish

    flourish Member

    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    New Zealand

Share This Page