Mystery plant in backyard

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by lhalladay, Nov 21, 2005.

  1. lhalladay

    lhalladay Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NC, USA
    Anyone know what this plant is? It appeared in the mulch, not sure if it's a Fungi’s. It looks like it should be in the sea. Since frost has hit, the bloom has died, although the stem is still bright green like the base of a tulip.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,370
    Likes Received:
    834
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Something on the order of a blood lily (Scadoxus) or Boophane.
     
  3. lhalladay

    lhalladay Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NC, USA
    Thanks... It's a new flower bed, and I did not plant such a thing, is it a volunteer or could it of come from mulch/organic soil being delivered? Where does it come from (seed)?
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,370
    Likes Received:
    834
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Unless the mulch was put down years ago or you are new there and it was already on the property it probably came as a bulb in the mulch, as bulbous plants take years to reach flowering size from seed.
     
  5. lhalladay

    lhalladay Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NC, USA
    New property, 2002, Tilled yard Fall 2004, (was not there prior), mulch delivered in May'05.
    Is it normal for it being in North Carolina? Sorry just trying to understand it, and to keep it growing in my garden. Thank you.
     
  6. ha1040carol

    ha1040carol Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Sapphire, North Carolina
    I also have a Mystery Plant in my side yard, exactly like the picture showed. My mother-in-law bought it from a bulb catalog years ago. I don't know which catalog. Several blooms come up on the top of the stem alone (about 8 inches tall) and after the flowers have bloomed, the foliage comes up, which looks like the foliage of an Amaryllis plant. I have two blooms right now. They bloomed the first week in September in Sapphire, NC. She told me it was a Mystery Plant. The plants are under a Rhododendron tree, under an oak tree, in damp soil and mostly shaded. Gets a little sunlight in the morning. Is covered in the winter by oak leaves and pine needles. I plan to dig the plants up this year as there are at least 10 or more bulbs beside the plant that are pushing up out of the ground.
     
  7. flourish

    flourish Member

    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Scadoxus multiflorus or blood lily is a native to South Africa.
    It have large broad leaves and showy red multiheaded flowers.
    They grow well in heavy shade or dappled sunshine, so planting under a tree is ideal. They look magnificent in clumps.
    Water regularly once the leaves emerge until it stops flowering, regular feeding with liquid fertilizer or a little manure is beneficial.
    As they don't tolerate frost, you can grow them in containers and have them sheltered.
    You can propagate from seed, though it take a while 3 to 4 years.
    This plant used to have the name Haemanthus. It is a highly toxic plant, it is used to poison arrows by tribesman. It is lethal to grazing animals, however slugs and snails seem to be immuned
     
  8. Newt

    Newt Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    1,274
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Maryland USA zone 7
    Ihalladay,

    I realize you posted this a long time ago, but I think what may have happened is the former owner had some of these planted there. Bulbs can take 3 to 5 years or longer to grow to bulb size from seed and bloom, so some seeds may have dropped and finally matured enough to bloom.

    Newt
     
  9. ha1040carol

    ha1040carol Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Sapphire, North Carolina
    The mystery plant that I have has been left in the ground and has bloomed every year even though our temperatures get below freezing in the winter season. Could this be the same plant you are talking about?
     
  10. Newt

    Newt Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    1,274
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Maryland USA zone 7

Share This Page