Well known genus, lesser known species

Discussion in 'Plants and Biodiversity Stumpers' started by TonyR, Mar 18, 2007.

  1. TonyR

    TonyR Active Member

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    Someone should recognise it.
     

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  2. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Tree Dahlia? Dahlia imperialis
     
  3. TonyR

    TonyR Active Member

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    That species too well known
     
  4. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    I've never actually seen one. It was the sepals that
    made me think of Dahlia then I searched the species
    knowing it wouldn't be a cultivar.
     
  5. TonyR

    TonyR Active Member

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    Chris, my response was perhaps a little unclear. It's not D. imperialis. But congrats on getting the genus.
     
  6. TonyR

    TonyR Active Member

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    Since interest in this one did not continue, it's time to give the answer.

    It's Dahlia tenuicaulis, which I think has been spread around to a limited extent. It's one of the tree dahlias but only gets about 3 m tall or a trifle more, not as tall as D. imperialis. Foliage is slightly different from other dahlias, with thin, broad leaflets of a somewhat purplish green shade, and the flowers are only about 3 in diameter and not at all conspicuous, but an interesting colour -- and have been appearing continuously now for almost 5 months, far longer than flowering of D. imperialis.

    Not a plant of much ornamental value, but if I ever find time to take up plant breeding, this is one I'd like to play around with.

    Here's the fully open flower
     

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  7. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Its lovely would look great in my jungle. I have what I know as a tree dahlia growing in several parts. The flower seems to be a paler mauve and the things are very tall about 5 meters if the wisteria holds them up. I have also found that If I am not careful how I get rid of the cut down stems they just keep going hence a bit of a weed. Thanks for the information

    Liz
     
  8. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    If you'd posted the second pic rather than the first, I might have got it ;-) . . . there was a pic of it in the RHS magazine 'The Garden' a while back which someone had taken on Nevada de Colima in Mexico. Might even have been the source of the seeds which you're growing now. But the half-open flower pic was different enough to put me off suggesting it.
     

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