Identification: Odd "Happy Plant"

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by andrewg, Apr 20, 2008.

  1. andrewg

    andrewg Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Toronto
    My florist gave me one of these and told me it was a "Happy Plant". After much search, I haven't come across any information about it. Does anyone recognize this plant? It has a thin leafy stock growing out of a split green pod (similar to how an avocado pit sprouts).


    Higher quality photos here:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/7480091@N06/sets/72157604652099099
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    6,071
    Likes Received:
    646
    Location:
    Vancouver BC Canada
    Looks like Castanospermum australe, Moreton Bay Chestnut.
     
  3. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,769
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Brisbane Queensland Australia
    I agree with JK. One of the common names over here is Black Bean. I chopped mine down as it was undermining my neighbours house and kept dropping seeds everywhere. It was a bit of a shame as it attracted lots of birds when in flower. Be careful if you plant them out, as they like to find water with their roots.

    Ed
     
  4. Cereusly Steve

    Cereusly Steve Active Member

    Messages:
    610
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    MD, USA
    Whats so "happy" about a weed tree? Such a pest will bring nothing but grief not happiness. Some florists will say anything to sell plants.
     
  5. smivies

    smivies Active Member

    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    A weed tree in Australia is unlikely to be as such in Toronto or Maryland. Misnamed or not, the florist is selling an indoor plant that's not going to cause any problems in the garden.

    Enjoy your happy plant
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2008
  6. andrewg

    andrewg Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Toronto
    Thanks everyone!

    Weed or not, it's an interesting plant which looks to have rather interesting blooms. I will however, keep it out of my garden, just in case.
     
  7. DGuertin

    DGuertin Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    332
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Look up Lucky Bean tree. That's how they're sold here in Houston... Also, perhaps more properly, known as Moreton Bay Chestnut, as noted above...
     
  8. constantgardener

    constantgardener Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    153
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    flemington, united states
    The "pod" is interesting. I'd like to try one as a houseplant, maybe even in a container protected outside (everything outside gets eaten by our deer or the groundhog).
     

Share This Page