Hi, while driving past a house that's been empty for a year and is about to be demolished, I stopped and dug up some perennial plants for my garden that were growing there. There were some others though, that had apparently grown from seed (about 18" tall at the time) scattered in pots and through out the former garden -- none which seem to have over-wintered. I've had this one unknown plant growing in the pot I found it in for a month, and it's now reached 5' and is beginning to bloom. I've asked everyone I know if they recognize what it is, but to no avail. I'm fairly knowledgable about native Ontario plants, and this is one that I would say seems more mediterranean than native, but can't ID it. Any help would be appreciated. Unique characteristics: - Stem is hollow -- when cut open, appears similar to bamboo - Roots and nodes are a bright, deep red colour - Base of stem is about 2" in diameter, flexible (somewhat rubbery) - Height is 5 1/2 feet, and still growing -- at about 10 inches per week. - Originated from seed in late spring. - As each of the large leaves yellow and fall off, a new 'branch' opens from where the leaf had been. - The only blooms as of yet are at the very top of the plant. Below are the photos of it.
Oscar & Ron, Thanks very much for the name -- I've just looked up the plant, and sure enough on Wikipedia, an exact match was displayed. You guys and the rest of this forum are great, look forward to spending more time in the future on it. Thanks, Barrett.
