Hey all, took a trip to the US Botanical Gardens located behind the US capital in Wash. DC this summer, and found in the front outdoor garden planted the most unusual yet attractive plant I have seen in some time, but I was unable to find any ID tag or marker for them. They stand approx. 3-4 feet tall, are single semi-woody stalks, that have attached several red coloured balls about half way up the stalk. They are about the size of a lemon, and have soft 1/4 spines over the balls, but the plants themselves are smooth, and look somewhat like asperagas. I was told in passing that they are an annual,originating from the West Indies, and the balls will turn green in the fall, and then the pods will open and expell the seeds attached to white 'parachutes' much like milkweed does. Any idea what the true name of this most unusual plant is, and is the seed available commercially? thanks all!
It's a sub-tropical so treat it accordingly. Your USDA zone is likely too cold to successfully overwinter it outdoors. Regards Chris
