Fine Art Discussions

Alfred Ng

I want to start this tread as to way to help other to learn the name of some uncommon flowers. Often in my travel, I came across plants or trees I haven’t seen before. Maybe with this we all can learn something. Do feel free to add your knowledge with us!

My first one is the city flower of Hong Kong” Bauhinia or also called “Chinese orchid tree”
This plant is thought to be an accidental hybrid between B. purpurea and B. variegata. It was discovered on the seashore of Hong Kong Island in Pok Fu Lam, near the ruins of a house in 1880 by Sir Henry Blake, a British Governor of Hong Kong from 1898 to 1903 and an enthusiastic botanist.
The genus name Bauhinia was given after the 16th century Herbalists Jan and Caspar Bauhin. After the handing back of Hong Kong to China, a special award was created to replace the British Imperial honors. The award is called the Grand Bauhinia Medal, or GBM for short.
The flower of Bauhinia was adopted by the Urban Council as the floral emblem of Hong Kong in 1965 and since 1997 has been part of the flag of Hong Kong and has become the floral emblem for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and appears on its coins.

Xueling Zou

Does any one know the flower I took? Thank you!

Warren Thompson

Al...I got this orchid in Lakeland Florida.

Rebecca Sherman

Xueling, Maybe Alfred can narrow it down, but I think it might be something in the grevillea family.

Xueling Zou

Thank you Rebecca,
I will search it for sure! Have a nice weekend:-)!

Alfred Ng

Xueling,
I haven't seen this one before, there are many flowers out west and we don't have here. looks like the Monarda and it does looks like from the succulents. How big is the plant?

Xueling Zou

Thank you, Alfred! The one I posted above is about a shrub size, about 4 feet tall.

I have another unknown tree, please help:

Alfred Ng

Very unusual blooms Xueling but I haven't seen this one before. Does it produce fruites? maybe someone else can name this one?

Xueling Zou

Thank you, Alfred! Maybe it doesn't have fruits, but I really have no idea! I have a lot plant photos I don't know the names. I hope someone will help!!

Alfred Ng

Xueling, I also with flickr ( www.flickr.com ) and belong to a group called " what plant is this?". if you post your photo to that group many can help you with the name.

Alfred Ng

I saw this flower at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. It looks a lot like a poppy. It is called “gum rockrose/ Cistus ladanifer. It is a native of the western Mediterranean region. It is indigenous to Spain, Portugal and north-west Africa.

Deborah Smolinske

I think Xueling's first flower is a pixie bush

http://www.oznativeplants.com/plantdetail/Pixie-Bush/Eremophila/oldfieldii/ssp-oldfieldii.html

And the second one looks like very early lilac blossoms that haven't opened yet.

Xueling Zou

Hi Deborah,

Thank you so much for your link and your response! They may belong to the same family.

The 2nd one was a very tall tree, I think it was much bigger than the lilac.

Deborah Smolinske

Lilac trees can grow as tall as 30 feet, Xueling.

Xueling Zou

Yes, you are right, but the leaves looked very different. Very green and thicker, heart shaped, and the stems were red color and very strong . The flowers were blooming and looked like little berries, they were not buds. Just liked the way they were, some of them fell off the tree, didn't have any strong scent. The tree looked somewhat like a birch tree.

SAIGON De Manila

this is common but I simply dunno what flower is this...

Rebecca Sherman

@Saigon: That is Hymenocallis liriosme/Spider Lily.

http://www.onlineplantguide.com/PlantDetails.aspx?Plant_id=1166

SAIGON De Manila

Thank you Rebecca...now I know what's my new poetry or prose will be themed on this subjective piece of art.

-Saigon

Deborah Smolinske

Xueling, what you describe could still be a lilac tree. Some have heart-shaped leaves, birch-like bark, red stems, and little to no scent. However, what you describe could also be a redbud tree. Google "redbud tree" and see if the images look anything like what you saw.

Alfred Ng

I don't think it is a red bud or lilac, those looks like seeding to me. the flower of the red bud tree come out before the leaves. here is my photo of it.

Xueling Zou

Hi Deborah, Thanks for your great help! Maybe it was a different type of lilac, but not the red bud tree. Thank you:-)!

Xueling Zou

Does anyone know this plant? Thank you:-)!!

Deborah Smolinske

Looks like a Blue Lupin to me, Xueling.

Xueling Zou

Sorry Deborah, they are not Blue Lupin. This is more tropical plant with big leaves, which looked like the Calla lily's leaves

Alfred Ng

Xueling, it looks like a Bromeliad.

Xueling Zou

Thank you so much Alfred!! Amazing eye you have! I think you are right:-)! I've found the link after I searched "Bromeliad", http://www.flickriver.com/photos/jungle_mama/5209488020/

Xueling Zou

Thank you so much Alfred!! Amazing eye you have! I think you are right:-)! I've found the link after I searched "Bromeliad", http://www.flickriver.com/photos/jungle_mama/5209488020/

Xueling Zou

Oops, my post has got Duplicated here too:-)!

Alfred Ng

you are very welcome Xueling.

Barbara Moignard

Xueling, could it be a type of Sea Grape - ceccoloba uvifera? It certainly looks as though it would produce lots of fruit - or nuts!

Great thread, Alfred - I love to learn about plant identification - I know more about UK flora. You are so knowledgeable - and I certainly have a lot to learn - lol!

Xueling Zou

Thank you Barbara! I really have no idea if it would produce nuts or seeds then. The plant looked smaller than an average size Calla Lily.

Alfred Ng

Thanks Barbara! I don’t know much about the UK flowers do share with us some more unusual ones we might not had know.
Last year, when I was in San Francisco I captive by this beautiful flowering tree and they were everywhere and the blooms was a lot like the wisteria I used to seeing. It is called “fountain bush” (fabaceae psoralea pinnata).

Barbara Moignard

Xueling - sorry it was the tree image I was referring to when I suggested Sea Grape!

Alfred, I'll certainly try to find some. However, to be honest, I imagine most of what we have here is common in much of North America - either accidental imports or not. Perhaps I need to look at some wild flowers to post. Love the Fountain Bush!

Xueling Zou

Thank you Barbara! Mine looks like a Sea Grape: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23251068@N02/5429662244/! So cool, never heard of it:-)!! Thanks a lot!!

Alfred Ng

Hi Barbara,
Do you know this one, the Jade Vine? I love the turquoise flower. I think it is the only flower in that color I know of.
Strongylodon macrobotrys, commonly known as jade vine, emerald vine or turquoise jade vine.

Barbara Moignard

I'm not familiar with the Jade Vine - lovely. It is reminiscent of laburnum - the alien version lol! If I post any pictures they are more likely to be less exotic!

I'll see what I can find and come back to your thread tomorrow.

Xueling Zou

I don't know this plant's name, please help:-), thank you!

Deborah Smolinske

Well, at the risk of striking out for the umpteenth time on your flowers, Xueling, that looks a lot like a spiderwort.

Xueling Zou

Hi Deborah, thank you! But I don't think so, I just did a search, the leaves shape and colors are totally different. The leaves of this plant has burgundy and blueish green color pattern on it. But thank you. You do know so many plants for sure:-)!

Alfred Ng

Xueling, it is called Trinity flower ( tradescantia).

Xueling Zou

Wow, Alfred, you are right and you are amazing to know all the names. Thank you so much! This is the link I've found: http://www.healthyhouseplants.com/Plant_Encyclopedia/Wandering_Jew.php

Alfred Ng

Today's unusual flower is the Calico vine flower.

Xueling Zou

What an unique plant, I never saw it before! Thanks for sharing it here, Alfred! So interesting! Are you a botanist?

Alfred Ng

Thans Xueling!,I am not a botanist I just interest in learning the names of the flowers I don't know. I go to my local green house and would ask the gardeners questions.

Xueling Zou

You are so good at it, Alfred! And maybe you can create an illustrated dictionary for the people like me interested in plants, but don't know the names:-)!

Alfred Ng

Xueling, I started a set in my gallery called " unforgettable flowers" I will post photos of some unusual flowers. Here is my lastest.


I saw these delicate white flowers at a fast food restaurant’s parking lot. There was a whole carpet of them. These tiny white flowers look a lot like baby’s breath but slightly bigger and about 6” tall. . It is called “snow in the summer”. . It gets their common name from their blooming habit. They bloom profusely in the early summer, and the flowers are a pristine white with little notches cut into them. Cerastium tomentosum is as admired for its delicate, wooly, silver leaves as for its flowers.

Xueling Zou

What a beautiful name and your capture is gorgeous! I love it, and I can imagine the snowy feeling in a hot summer day...

Yes, I took so many unknown plants, I haven't had a chance to look at them. I will slowly post them, since I know you are one of the most knowledgable artists for plants here:-)! So nice to know you, Alfred:-)!!

Barbara Moignard

Here is my first contribution.



Ivy Leaved Toadflax - Cymbalaria muralis

This tiny perennial grows on the walls of my garden and is one of my favourite wildflowers. The flowers measure about 5mm across. As the seeds develop the seed head starts to grow toward the shade and so is able to deposit the seed in cracks. It is edible but I have never tried it - I don't think it grows naturally outside Europe.

Great thread, Alfred!

Alfred Ng

Thank you Barbara, what a beauty! I haven't seen this one before, love the name too!

Brian Wallace

The following text is just for additional reference and possible help...
Just to let folks here know, I've noticed that there are groups on Flickr, that will try and help you identify plants, insects, and animals. Many of the members may be experts working in a scientific field related to the subject. Here is one group I belong to called "What plant is that?"... http://www.flickr.com/groups/whatplantisthat/

About What plant is that?
So some kinda botanical wonder caught your eye, and you snapped a photo of it -- but what kind of plant is it?

Submit your photos of unidentified plants, and let's see if anyone else can put a name to it. Alternatively, if you wanna show what you know check out the plants which haven't been identified yet.

Guidelines
Please read and follow these guidelines.

Please post photos to the group pool! Please do not start a new thread in discussion.

Tag it up!
When you add your plant, tag it with unidentifiedplant.

If your plant is successfully identified, delete the "unidentifiedplant" tag.

The tagging should make it easy to find plants which are yet to be identified and prevent them from getting lost in the archives of the group.

Respond to potential identifications
When someone leaves a suggested ID, let them know you've read it by responding. If you don't agree, say so and say why! The best way to get a plant identified is to get into a discussion over it.

Posting Restrictions
Each group member is limited to 6 images per day. If you have more than 6plants to be identified, post the first 6 and then the next 6 the next day and so on. This is so that members only posting one or two images are not lost in the wilderness!

Please keep it to one or two clear shots of each plant: macros are beautiful but are harder to identify, and multiple shots of the same plant won't necessarily make the identification easier.

Thanks for playing!

Alfred Ng

Voodoo Lily (Amorphallus Konjac) is native to the Eatern Asia and with its scent of death and decay. I saw this plant in bloom last year in my local green house and the flower was almost four foot tall. it is one of the rare flowers I seen or smell.

Xueling Zou

This is unique! I saw it in a botanical garden! Great capture, Alfred!

Alfred Ng

Thanks Brian! I belong to that group and learn a lot form it. they have some real experts at that group.

Xueling Zou

Sounds good, Brain! Do I have to have a Yahoo account to sign in??

Brian Wallace

Xueling, you flatter me! (Brain) ;)

The best way to find out Xueling, is to click on the link embedded in my post above (repeated below) and see how far you get. You probably will need to join the Flickr group to interact but in any case it's entirely free. You can even put up to 200 images on Flickr for free. If you want to keep more than that, you will need to pay around $24 per year. If you put more than 200 images on Flickr without a paying membership, they just move your oldest image into storage. It's still in the archive and if you deleted an image your old would be restored automatically.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/whatplantisthat/

Kevin Barske

This is a shot of a White Tree Peony I came across here in Vancouver. A little different than the Peonies I'm used to seeing.

Sharon Mau

. . here is a lovely unusual flowering succulent . . Pedilanthus bracteatus (Slipper plant) grows to around 6 feet tall (up to 9 feet in habitat), this upright succulent branches from the base and has narrow cylindrical green stems with ovate leaves, with a thick prominent mid-vein on the lower surface, that are just near the branch tips . . it is very unusual and quite beautiful . . The name Pedilanthus comes from the Greek words 'pedil' meaning shoe and 'anthos' meaning 'flower" . . In the warmth of late spring and summer appear the curiously shaped red cyathia (flower structures containing separate male and female parts) are enclosed in rounded reddish pink bracts near the branch tips. Pollination in the genus Pedilanthus is commonly effected by hummingbirds . . We don't have Hummingbirds here on Maui and so I wonder how they are pollinated .


Pedilanthus bracteatus

Alfred Ng

Kevin,
The Chinese tree peony has an important meaning in Chinese culture,it repesents “wealth and good fortune”. Often, I would see them planted by the houses in Chinatown.Having a Chinese tree peony by ones’ house are mean to welcome wealth and good luck into ones’ home. I meet an old chinese couple they have a 50 years old Chinese tree peony and very year producs over 50 blooms. They told me it was one of the first plant they planted when they first brough their house.
I panted one in our garden about 15 years ago and this spring it has over 100 blooms.

Xueling Zou

Wow, so beautiful! I hadn't seen such a gorgeous blooming for years! Thanks for sharing it Alfred!! You did an excellent job for taking care of it and capturing it:-)!

Thank you, Brian for the info!

Xueling Zou

Does anyone know this plant, I believe it has a botanical name, but I don't know:-).

Barbara Moignard

Is it a bromeliad, Xueling?

It doesn't really look like an aloe to me.

Alfred Ng

I think it is a bromeliad as well.
Xueling, if you dead-head the tree peony after it finished blooming it will help to produce more blooms the next year.

Gregory Scott

SAIGON DeCastro, I've seen your spider lily growing in the wild in Fausse Point State Park, near New Iberia, LA. I don't know if an Arcadian/Cajun flavor in your poetry would be botanically appropriate, much less poetically appropriate, but I love the sound/melody/rhythm of the Cajun accents. I lived in Beaumont, Texas, sort of the western limit of Cajun country, for about 5 years.

My unusual flower submission: Greater Fringed Blue Gentian (with inchworm)

Xueling Zou

Thank you Barbara!
Thank you Alfred!!

I searched, looks like it! I love this thread, I can learn so much!!

@ Gregory, I never saw this plant before. Beautiful and I love the feather feeling! Thanks for sharing it!

Alfred Ng

Here is another blue flower for today, wild blue indigo.

Xueling Zou

I've seen so many of wild indigo along the coast of California, there are pink, blue, yellow, white colors. They make my allergies worse:-(..., but I love your shot.. Thanks for sharing it!

Sharon Mau

. . good morning Xueling . . . it is a challenge to know exactly what variety it is for your image is like digital art and the colours are enhanced . . yet the form and structure reveal the plant in your image may be a small young Agave .

. perhaps
Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’

or

Agave americana "marginata"

or

Agave lophantha variegata

Kingdom: Plantae
clade: Angiosperms
clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species: xxx (unknown)

. I would need to see the original unprocessed image to be sure but it appears to be an Agave . . We have them here on Maui and when they are growing in a naturalized state they become quite huge with a width of about ten feet or more and produce a flower spike - a central stalk or "pole" that can be over thirty feet high . inflorescence of the agave are very beautiful . . . the thorny edges of the "leaves" are very razor sharp . . I have a keiki growing in a stone pot . I call it a sharp and keep it segregated in the garden from my tropical flowers I must take care not to walk too close or it will slice my skin and it really hurts or to brush it with my dress for it will rip it to shreds . nature's defense works perfectly . . . . I have kept it in the stone pot to contain it's small size . . about 1 foot . . if I were to place it into the ground it would require an enormous foot print . .


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Agave_species


Here is a photograph of the inflorescence of Agave sisalana Perrine Sisal Hemp photographed in Kanaio on Maui



Plant Kingdom Plantae Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants
Class Liliopsida Monocotyledons
Subclass Liliidae
Order Liliales
Family Agavaceae Century-plant family
Genus Agave L. agave
Species Agave sisalana Perrine sisal hemp

Wherever you see Sisal on the island you will know someone has lived in that area at one time. These beauties are growing mauka at upper elevations near Kanaio and Ulupalakua. The deep blue background is the beautiful morning sky and pacific ocean far down below . . The strong thin fibers of the spiny leaves are harvested for plaiting and weaving mats and other useful articles and crafts. This plant is considered an invasive noxious species in the Hawaiian islands.

You may read more about it here
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=AGSI2
http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=15

Aloha

Sharon Mau

Alfred Ng

Xueling, I don't know wild blue indigo comes in other color than blue perhaps you thinking of Lupinus? Lupinus does come in yellow, pink, white, mave and purple.

Xueling Zou

Hi Alfred, I believe you are right! I saw colorful similar flowers like your photo's, I don't know what kind plant is again:-(.

Jess Peterson

marking this for the future since I have a ton of flowers I haven't a clue what they are. :-)

Alfred Ng

Sharon, here is my close up of the Agave in blooms. I don't think Zueling's is an Agave.

Xueling Zou

Thank you all, I've learn a lot here. And I am updating my images for correcting some names. Some links can be broken now.

Alfred Ng

Xueling, here is a photo of the yellow Lupine for you.

Alfred Ng

Golden dewdrop (Duranta erecta) is a species of flowering shrub in the verbena family Verbenaceae, native from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens throughout the world, and has become naturalized in many places. It is considered an invasive species in Australia, China, South Africa and on several Pacific Islands. Common names include Golden Dewdrop, Pigeon Berry, and Skyflower.

Alfred Ng

Anemone blandas blue star flower early in the season providing long-lasting colour and their delicate, simple flowers with their numerous yellow stamens are very endearing. Anemone blandas naturalize well so be sure to plant them under trees and shrubs or amongst perennials for early season colour.

Alfred Ng

I was at a short trip last week and came across this flowering tree near the hotel. It has tiny yellow flowers. At night the flowers had a sweet scent. I had not seen this one before and later I posted on the flickr group "What plant is that" and I was told it was a Elaeagnus umbellata, also referred to as Japanese silverberry,umbellate oleaster, autumn-olive, autumn elaeagnus,or spreading oleaster,is a species of Elaeagnus native to eastern Asia from the Himalayas east to Japan. Because airborne nitrogen can be fixed in its roots, it has the capability to grow in infertile habitats.

Xueling Zou

Thank you for sharing your flower captures, Alfred!

I have another one need your help for the name. Thank you so much!!

Alfred Ng

Xueling, if they are from a flowering tree, it likely is Idaho Locust, Robinia.

Xueling Zou

Thanks Alfred! It is a vine with small size flowers, I don't know the name.

Alfred Ng

perennial peavine or perennial pea?

Xueling Zou

Thanks, Alfred! It is perennial, and it has long, narrow leaves, very tough plant, blooming in early spring in California. The flowers are much smaller than perennial pea's.

Sharon Talson

Yes, it`s a wild pea vine.. we have them here in Canada.. very pretty and very tough.

Alfred Ng

yes, Thanks Sharon! it is Purple Peavine or Wild Sweet Pea, Lathyrus eucosmus.

Alfred Ng

This unusual hibiscus comes fromEast Africa and is also known as the Coral Hibiscus, Japanese lantern hibiscus. The slender stems grow tall and upright quite rapidly and will reach around 2 meters and then arch over to form what could be best described as a pendulous canopy.

Xueling Zou

Thank you Sharon and Alfred!! I checked both Wild Sweet Pea, Purple Peavine or Wild Sweet Pea, Lathyrus eucosmus, no of them showed the same vine I saw. It was very tall, climbed on top of the 2nd floor building.

@Alfred, Your hibiscus capture is amazing! I don't think I saw this kind before, gorgeous:-)! Thanks for sharing:-)!

Xueling Zou

This one's name is echinopsis eyriesii, gymnocalycium mihanovichii, echinopsis, gymnocalycium. Lol, I don't know how to pronounce them, but I captured them from our neighbor's front garden. It only blooms in the evening (one night only) once a year.

Alfred Ng

Xueling
Thank you for sharing this. Yes, that's how you spell it. "Echinopsis Eyriesii" the common name is Easter cactus. I have one in my studio and produces white flowers..

Bill Tiepelman

@ Alfred I have the same tree in my front yard that blooms the same before the leaves come out, always thought it was a redbud

Bill Tiepelman

I believe it is a Daylily, but looking for confirmation

Xueling Zou

Here is my white one:-)! Thanks!

Alfred Ng

Bill, you are right it is a day lily. there are quite a few trees which bloom first before the leaves come out. such as Magnolia.

Alfred Ng

Water hyacinth is native to South America but has naturalized much of the Southern U.S.

Alfred Ng

Solandra maxima, also known as Cup of Gold Vine, Golden Chalice Vine, or Hawaiian Lily, is a vigorous vine which is endemic to Mexico and Central America. It has very large yellow flowers and glossy leaves.

Alfred Ng

I noticed many had mis-labled/tag Mums as Dahlias or Dahlias as Mums.
Dahlias and Chrysanthemums (Mum) have similar flowers at first glance. They both have multiple forms, from single, flat-pedaled flowers with a visible eye to pompon and anemone forms. Dahlias, however, bloom in midsummer right into late fall and the color range from soft pastel to eye-catching color except true blue. The blooms range from 1/2 inch wide to over 12 inches. In contrast, Chrysanthemums bloom when summer days shorten, from early to late fall. Their flowers are also smaller, staying 2 to 6 inches wide, and have a slightly narrower range of color, from reds to warm purples, yellows and even bronze.
Here are some examples:

Alfred Ng

Today's flower is the snail vine which is about and shape of a snail.

Bill Tiepelman

Wildflower that was on the side of the road, not sure what it is.

Barbara Moignard

It looks like Rudbeckia.

Alfred Ng

yes, I think it is Rudbeckia as well.

Bill Tiepelman

awesome, appreciate the fast feedback here guys!

Warren Thompson

A bedding plant flower. Not sure if its in the spider group? Anyone know the real name?

Jason Christopher

This thread is just what i need - ok to put up some flowers i have soon? yet to upload them tho...

Barbara Moignard

Warren,

Sorry - I don't recognise that one - perhaps if you say some more about it, size etc. Beautiful image though.

Alfred is so knowledgeable I hope he knows.

Warren Thompson

The bush is almost like a sea grass bush with many stems and the flowers are not clumped in one area.
The flower is 3/4" wide. I have taken some pink spider flowers in this area...but these are white?

Pamela Cooper

Hi Warren... I think that's a gaura plant... also known as 'whirling butterflies'. They are so graceful... :)

Warren Thompson

I think you nailed it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaura

Thanks!

Alfred Ng

Thanks Warren and Pamela! I haven't seen this flower before.

Alfred Ng

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) is a species of milkweed native to eastern North America. It is a perennial plant growing to 0.3–1 metre (10 in–3 ft 3 in) tall, with clustered orange or yellow flowers from early summer to early fall.

Xueling Zou

I've just found another one I don't know the name, thank you in advance:

Alfred Ng

Xueling, it is hard to tell from this photo. it this from a tree? do you have other photo showing more detail of the flowers. how big are the blossom?

Xueling Zou

Thank you, Alfred! I don't have another photo! But it was a tall bush (6 to 8 inches), each branch was cascading. Each flower was tiny, looked like a lantern shape.

Barbara Moignard

Xueling, it looks similar to a type of spirea. I'm not sure but worth a look.

Xueling Zou

Hi Barbara, Thank you! I checked, the leaves looked different. The flowers were not open up when blooming (in my capture).

Alfred Ng

OK I will take a guess, Sophora secundiflora ( Texas Mountain Laurel).

Xueling Zou

Sorry, Alfred. The tiny flowers looked like lantern shapes only, not opening up. One branch had hundred of the tiny flowers. Do you know what I mean? Thank you!

Alfred Ng

Oh, you mean they are like little bells? Do they have scents? what kind of leaves? you said it was a tall bush 6"-8"? but 6"to 8" is not that tall. do you mean the flower branch was 6"to 8"?

Xueling Zou

Yes, they look like bells. Maybe had scents, but I had allergies, won't smell anything then:-(... The leaves were small, kind of oval shape, but looked dry. The one was in my images was taller than 6 feet. some others were taller than that one I captured.

Alfred Ng

it could be Robina, Califorian lilac or Jacaranda. try google image see if it match your photo.

Xueling Zou

Wow, I am amazed by your plant knowledge, Alfred! How could you remember SO many names!

I've found the match: http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Ceanothus_arboreus.htm I didn't see the open part, and sorry about my limited English explanation too. I can't believe it is a native plant here:-)!! Happy:-D!!

BTW, the one I saw as similar like this: http://www.jardinexotiqueroscoff.com/site/uploads/pictures/plante/800x800/rhamnaceae-ceanothus-arboreus-trewithen-blue-1.jpg

Alfred Ng

great! so it is California Lilacs, Ceanothus.

Lou Ford

I'm not much of a plant and flower guy, so I've been trying to figure out the name of this circular flower I snapped at a local botanical garden some time ago.

Xueling Zou

@Alfred, I've forgot to say Thank you very much!! I was too excited to know the name:-)!

Alfred Ng

You are very welcome Xueling!
Lou, that looks like one of the species from the Pelargonium ( Geranium)

Alfred Ng

I love the Catalpa tree, Catalpa is a handsome tall tree with large heart-shaped, sharp pointed leaves. In late spring produces showy white or yellow flowers not unlike the Rhododendren. The long fruits which resemble a slender bean pod.

Jason Christopher

Alfred if anyone could assist in naming this flower, I'd apprecaite it, found growing wild along a canal path in London a few years ago, ive not altered the colors at all but it might be looking slightly bleeched out as it was very bright sun that day if I remember.

Alfred Ng

Jason that's an easy one. it is Centaurea the commom name is (Cornflower, Bachelors button, Bluebottle, Boutonniere flower, Hurtsickle, Cyani flower)

Jason Christopher

Thanks Alfred!! you are an expert I can see, I just really like photographing flowers because of their colours and shapes....

Alfred Ng

You are welcome Jason. I am not an expert, I like to take photos of flowers as well. if I seen one I don't know I would try to find out.mostly from books and sometimes from the net.

Maria Disley

White Japanese Anemones. Found in Melbourne Botanic Gardens this May. Aw! just noticed the shadow. I like it but as a flower photograph probably should have gotten rid of shadow..:))

Leslie Bilbrey

Alfred, I'm not sure if anyone commented about your red bud picture or not...but it is a red bud. I can tell by the leaves. Sometimes the leaves will start to come out before the flowers have gone away.

Also, I think this is a great thread, but wanted to let you all know that someone started a team just for this purpose. Check it out: http://fineartamerica.com/groups/identify-it.html

Alfred Ng

Leslie, I posted the red bud photo to show Xueling how the red bud looks like. I do know about that group and I joined last week already.

Leslie Bilbrey

Oops, sorry Alfred! Sometimes I don't have the best "skimming" skills.

Alfred Ng

Leslie, it is OK, It happens to all of us.
Here is today's flower:


Borage, (Borago officinalis), also known as a starflower, is an annual herb originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as Asia Minor, Europe, North Africa, and South America. This plant was thought to be native of Assyria, but is probably of North African origin, where there are other Borago species. It grows to a height of 60–100 cm.

Alfred Ng

Maria, over here the Japanese Anemone are late-season flower, it usually blooms from Augest to October. here is the pink Japanese Anemone.

Bill Tiepelman

Any ideas here?

Rose Santuci-Sofranko

Yep, those are petunias Bill! Nice shot!

Bill Tiepelman

sweet, ty Rose & thanks for the comment too :)

Rose Santuci-Sofranko

You are very welcome. God bless!

Maria Disley

Alfred, the pink Anemone is beautiful. I did a lot of browsing in my A-Z plant book, which I dusted down and now keep close, to find the specific name of the White Japanese Anemone. There were several with slightly different shapes and sizes and therefore different names. This is a good way of retaining info specific to flowers and I suppose helps people find a particular flower image that they want. I think Gregory suggested for me to organise my work in this way, a while back, just havn't gotten around to it.
I recognised that beautiful carpet of Petunias right away though.
I think the Catalpa flower is what I snapped at the Botanic gardens lately what do you think? It wasn't a tree though!

Alfred Ng

Maria, Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo. I never seen the Catalpa with pink flowers before which got me doing some research on the net. this is what I found:
Farges catalpa is an rare plant that was found by western dendrologists in China in early 20th century. Forma decluxii is a unique plant that deserves attention when in full blooms. Its flowers are formed in up right panicle larger than on Northern catalpa , lilac to pink in color with conspicuous yellow and red blotches in the throat. Blooming time is early July.
How tall is this plant?

Alfred Ng

Gloriosa rothschildiana or Gloriosa Lilies are a climbing member of the Lily family, which are natives of South Africa. (The plant was name after Lord Rothschild, a garden lover and plant collector; in fact many plants were name after him). Some common names include climbing lily, gloriosa lily, flame lily and glory lily. All parts of plant including root stock are poisonous if ingested.

Maria Disley

Love Gloriosa lily! Looks really intricate. If my pink/purple plant is what you say,I will re name it. I think it must have been about 6ft/1.8m high.

Anyone familiar with this flower? It belongs to a shrub with dark green semi glossy leaves.The flowers are tiny and look like little stars from a distance which flower in tiny clusters of up to about 5. It reminds me a little of the hawthorn flower but i don't think it is. It could be an Australian native.

Alfred Ng

Maria, the young Catalpa tree can produces flowers as well. There is one on my street is about 5' tall and is in blooms with white flower. ther eare many flowers in Australian we don't have over here. you should try the Australian botanical gardens there, many batanical gardens post photos of plants there.

Alfred Ng

The Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) is a tall, handsome perennial, from 2 to 3 or even 4 feet high whose flowers are at their best in July and August.

Alfred Ng

Alstroemeria commonly called the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, is a South American genus of about 120 species of flowering plants.

Xueling Zou

Wow, I don't think I saw this type of lily before! Beautifully captured, Alfred!

I really have learned something new here. I still have one, the first one I posted. I wish I could find the name soon:-)! Here is the one:

Alfred Ng

Xueling, i think it is an aloe.

Xueling Zou

Sorry, Alfred. Can you see the flowers came out from a 5-feet tall bush, the green leave looked like kind of pine needles, a lime green color contrasted with bright orange color flowers?

Deborah Smolinske

Xueling, maybe Russelia equisetiformis (Coral Fountain, Firecracker plant)?

Xueling Zou

Thank you Deborah! I did search "Russelia equisetiformis", they look like a same family, but I haven't found an exactly same plant like the one I took, the branches were hardy, and the "pine needles" were much shorter.

Maria Disley

Well what do you know..I was locking a door in work which opens out onto a japanese garden where the students eat lunch and what did i see not only one of the shrubs i was trying to name
( the snow white one) but there was 3 of them!! amazing what you pass every day without noticing. There was no label on them but a colleague has one in her garden and is going to find the name for me. I have an idea to name every plant/shrub/tree in my garden. i reckon i will be surprised at the number and variety.

Alfred Ng

Maria, I am looking forward to find out the name of that flower.

Barbara Moignard

Maria, is it a tea bush - Camellia Sinensis?

Alfred Ng

I saw this one at my local greenhouses and it took me a while to find out the name: blue cat's whiskers!

Maria Disley

Barbara Thankyou, tea bush , never even heard of it! This thread is becoming a real gardening thread, a mix of art and gardening :)

barbara, I went to the tea bush page for more info and thought that the image of the flower wasn't exactly like mine but as i scroledl down i saw the exact flower which is the kumquat blossom...have a look. Now, even though i say that I can't recall any fruit being on this shrub but i will watch it and see if any fruit eventuates, maybe it is a variety of that family that does not bear fruit? Don't you just love discovering things?

Alfred Ng

Kumquat blossom? We have a few of them in the local greenhouse next time when it blooms I will check on the flowers. I think in the future we need to list the size, height and where the flowers in question. it will be helpful for our search.

Xueling Zou

My new capture from our neighbor's front garden. I've found the name is " Ferocactus Latispinus".

Alfred Ng

very nice Xueling! the common name for this cactus is Devil's Tongue Barrel .I only seen the ones with yellow flowers.

Xueling Zou

Thank you Alfred! I will add the comment name into my keywords. Have a wonderful day:-)!

Barbara Moignard

Maria, I've never seen a kumquat bush in flower.

I also like trying to identify things I'm not so familiar with. I have certainly been enjoying following this thread. I have taken some more photographs of some of the weeds - or should I say wildflowers - growing in my garden which I should post here.

One site which I have found useful to identify plants here in the UK and Ireland is botanicalkeys.co.uk - it is quite straightforward if you have a specimen to hand.

Some wonderful images here!

Barbara Moignard

Red Valerian is a common weed. Unfortunately, it is abundant in my garden. While it looks lovely it seems to be doing its best to demolish my garden wall - the huge root forces the stones apart.

Alfred Ng

this one also from my garden, flowers from the Coriander,it has tiny pretty flowers.

Maria Disley

My work colleague seems to think that although the flowers i showed her look exactly like kumquat blooms they cannot be if there is no kumquats. so, i am still in search of this one. It is deceiving in my image because it looks large but is only tiny.I was practising getting detailed close ups when i fell in love with this small flower which you could so easily miss. it smells a bit like mock orange and the leaves smell not so good.

Barbara Moignard

Maria, other citrus have a lovely scent on the leaves so perhaps your friend is right and it isn't kumquat.

Perhaps it is a variety of jasmine. I hope you manage to identify it - your photographs are beautiful!

Edit - I've looked again and don't think it's a jasmine.

Alfred Ng

I was at my local greenhouse this afternoon and found one kumquat tree has flowers on it. here is my kumquat flower.



it looks different from Maria's photo.

Barbara Moignard

Alfred, how beautiful!

Maria Disley

See! They are so similiar, but the petals are different and the crown shapes of the inside of the flower are different. i have a couple of lemon, orange and grapefruit trees which also have similiar flowers, but this shrub has no fruit! so, today I am going to photograph it as is, instead of enlarging, you may recognise it better.:))

Alfred Ng

Senna sp is a shrub with clusters of yellow, thumbnail-size golden yellow blossoms.

Gregory Scott

This isn't a flower, obviously, but I would love an id. It appears to be some kind of wasp. I found it at high altitude at the tree line in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes, Colorado, in middle July.

Alfred Ng

Sorry Gregory, I don't know much about bugs but there is a group called " indenify it" you can post it there.

Gregory Scott

Thanks, Alfred.

Barbara Moignard

http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/arthropoda/chlorion_aerarium.html

Gregory - look at this one. The cricket hunter wasp.

Maria Disley

bEAUTIFUL INSECT GREGORY!

Gregory Scott

There are some differences in shape. However, there are hundreds of species of this family of wasp, which is known as a Cuckoo Wasp. I'm sure the cricket wasp is a member of this family. The family has the blue/green iridescence, and lays its eggs in a host, which serves as a food supply for the larvae. Thus the name, since the parasitic behavior of the Cuckoo, which lays its eggs in the nests of other species of birds, to be raised by unwitting parents of other species. Thanks for your help, so I thought I would follow up with what I found out. BugGuide.net is a good resource for insect ID help.

Alfred Ng

Gregory, thanks for the info,next time when I see them I will know what they are!.

Alfred Ng

I seen this flower everywhere this year, finally find out the name it is a foxglove, smooth penstemon the common name is beard tongue.

Bob Slitzan

Here's one that also comes in bright yellow, it's hangs on a large tree,

Deborah Hall Barry

These two pink ones are called King Protea - I do believe they are South Africa's national flower. They are part of the fynbos family, which is indigenous to here. I've heard that this one area of the world is known as the floral kingdom, and that there are more species packed into a smallish area than any other place in the world. It's in the Western Cape, or Cape Province, South Africa.





And this is called a pincushion, which is also in the fynbos family:

Alfred Ng

Bob, yours looks like the powder puff.

Bob Slitzan

Alfred, it just came to me, when I took the shot in Hawaii they called it a "shaving brush".

Alfred Ng

Bob, I look it up on the net and the ones I found it very different from yours.. here is one photo I found.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32210189@N02/3817626608/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemanthus_albiflos

Alfred Ng

Here is today flower: "obedient plant".

Xueling Zou

Finally, I've found the name of the plant which I captured long time ago: it is called Erica, from north Africa, here is the link if anyone wants to know more about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica

Alfred Ng

Xueling, glad you fianlly find out the name of this flower!

here is my flower of the day:
Gomphrena haageana, strawberry fields

Gregory Scott

By the way, in many locations in the US "obedient plant" is considered a noxious invasive plant. Think very carefully before planting this. It can be extremely difficult to get out of your garden once established.

Alfred Ng

Thanks Gregory! I guess the name "Obedient" just a cover up so it can gets into our gardens. LOL

Xueling Zou

Blue Puya, Puya berteroniana, Hardy Bromeliad.

I saw this unique flowers at our nearby Arboretum. I just could not believe how unreal they looked in the plant kingdom. . It was an unforgettable experience to stand next to one of these massive 8 feet tall blue stalks. The flowers color were perhaps a darker huge of unbelievable turquoise-blue. More info about this plant is under my description area of the image.

Alfred Ng

Wow Xueling what a beautiful flower and such beautiful shot! Thanks for sharing.

Dan Carmichael

A flower from the Empress (or Princess) tree from China.

Said to be one of the fastest-growing trees. Some have reported tree growth of 18 feet per year, if you an imagine that.

Never saw this flower before I ran across and captured it. Very unique fragrance. Almost candy-like, like some sort of bubble gum. The tree was filled with the flowers. Very beautiful, and would love to have one, but with it growing so fast, would probably be expensive to maintain.

Barbara Moignard

Alfred, this is another gorgeous one.

I was wondering if it was Thrift. A lovely splash of colour whatever the flower!

Alfred Ng

Thanks Barbara! it is called " gomphrena fireworks" not sure what the common name. is here is another shot of it.

Maria Disley

AT LONG LAST! The white flower that I have been trying to name is the Mexican Orange Blossom.




Description:
A medium size shrub with abundant small white flowers
Botanical Name: Choisya ternata
Common Name: Mexican orange blossom
Growth Habits: A small shrub to 1m. This compact evergreen shrub with bunches of sweetly scented white flowers in spring,grows well in moist well drained soil in a sunny to partly shaded position. Great as a hedge or individually planted. Prune lightly to maintain compact growth.
Watering Needs: Drought tolerant species once established. Tip prune after flowering to maintain shape and size.
Pot Size: 20cm & 30cm pot size

Barbara Moignard

Well done, Maria!

Here is one I think everyone will know - I love blackberries but the thorns on Bramble don't like me!

Maria Disley

Love this flower Barbara. reminds me of blackberry picking as a child, and yes getting scratched to bits! :)

Yvon -aka- Yanieck Mariani

I know the name of this one, just can't remember it. :)

Alfred Ng

Yanieck, it looks like azalea to me.

Alfred Ng

Pineapple liliy (Eucomis)

Alfred Ng

Medinilla is a genus of about 150 species of flowering plants in the family Melastomataceae, native to tropical regions of the Old World from Africa (two species) east through Madagascar (about 70 species) and southern Asia to the western Pacific Ocean islands. The genus was named after J. de Medinilla, governor of the Mariana Islands in 1820.
They are evergreen shrubs or lianas. The leaves are opposite or whorled, or alternate in some species. The flowers are white or pink, produced in large panicles.

Alfred Ng

I love the name of this : "goose neck loose stripe"

Kathy Clark

can someone please tell me how you post a flower image here? Great flowers by the way.

Alfred Ng

Hi Kathy,
go to your image and on the bottom right click on image link then you can copy and paste on here.

Kathy Clark

great thanks Alfred

Warren Thompson

Here is one I could not find a name for. Grows in the sandy pine lands of central Fl.

Kathy Clark

for some reason Alfred it will not allow me to copy the link. It turns blue, but won't copy. I can copy other things so the problem is not my mouse

JD Grimes

Kathy, here is a TUTORIAL that may help you figure out how to do it.

Dindin Coscolluela

I'd like to share this to everyone, an orchid species found in my home island in the tropics.

Grammatophyllum is a small genus of large plants, in fact the largest in the orchid world, G. speciosum (Tiger orchid), is of tree-like proportion - its stem is 3 metres and the flower spike is another 2 metres. This is the flower of the rather rare G. martae, the black orchid recorded from Negros Island in The Philippines.

Kathy Clark

I am going to try this again. Here goes with a venus looking glass Alabama USA wildflower

Kathy Clark

hooray it worked thanks everybody for your help

Kathy Clark

how crazy and cool is this Alabama wildflower, wild leek allium

Alfred Ng

Warren, I think it is a yuca.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca

Warren Thompson

A yuca has "sword-shaped leaves" and this one does not.

Warren Thompson

Thanks Al. There is a Yucca baccata that looks close.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_baccata

Chaline Ouellet

So many beautiful flowers!

Alfred Ng

I noticed many had titled their images water lily as lotus. In fact, lotus and water lily are different plants. Water lilies have lily pads that float on the surface; lotuses have leaves that are held above the water, and blooms that are much larger than water lilies, and often in pink, white.. Both have beautiful flowers. People often confuse the water lily a "lotus
Lotus is an aquatic plant native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves, fragrant, pinkish flowers, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes.
The edible seed and roots are edible and the leaf often uses in Chinese cooking.

Kathy Clark

Alfred this beautiful white Lotus is actually native to the southeastern United States as well. I took this image in Morgan County along the Tennessee River in Alabama.



I found a site that has this to say:

American Lotus

Similar in appearance to its Asian cousin, the American lotus produces pale yellow flowers that float along the surface of ponds, lakes and streams in water as deep as 6 feet. These flowers can have over a dozen circular petals. The American lotus is native to the Southeast as well as other areas of the eastern United States and Canada. The plant's large seed pods are often sold as crafts and ornamental objects. The American lotus spreads rapidly by planting its rhizomes along the substrate.

http://www.ehow.com/list_7406543_aquatic-plants-southeastern-united-states.html

Read more: Aquatic & Wetland Plants of the Southeastern United States | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_7406543_aquatic-plants-southeastern-united-states.html#ixzz20W4onCP7

Alfred Ng

monarda (beebalm)

Kathy Clark

This is an oxeye daisy wildflower. Even though they are introduced in the United states they are everywhere and quite lovely. There are virtually fields of them. This shot was taken in Limestone County Alabama.

Alfred Ng

Thanks Kathy! it must be a beautiful slight with a field of white daisy. I looked it up on the net and it mentions it can be used as food:
"The un-opened flower buds can be marinated and used in a similar way to capers. I wonder if any has tried it?

Kathy Clark

I read that too Alfred but have not tried it.

Alfred Ng

Kathy, in Chinatown here some sniors would grow tiny yellow daisy and they would dried and use as tea.

Alfred Ng

Ligularia, Leopard Plant, is a genus of "Old World" perennial plants or herbs resembling groundsel of the family Asteraceae. Ligularias are rather tall perennial herbaceous plants occurring mostly in damp places in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Xueling Zou

Wow, interesting plant and gorgeous capture! I don't think I saw this one before! Thanks for sharing it, Alfred!

Alfred Ng

Impatiens glandulifera also called “poor man's orchid” is a large annual plant native to the Himalayas. Via human introduction it is now extant across much of the Northern Hemisphere.

Alfred Ng

Yesterday, we have the poor man's orchid and today we have the nun's orchid:
These plants owe their unusual name to the shape of the long-lasting, fragrant flowers. They call to mind a nun’s head bowed in prayer.

Warren Thompson

Thanks Al.
Sometimes Google Images are confusing.

Xueling Zou

This succulent's name as: Echeveria, in the Crassulaceae family, commonly known as 'Hen and chicks'

Alfred Ng

you welcome Warren! here is another begonia which looks like roses.

Alfred Ng

beautiful shot Xueling.
The "hen" is the main plant, and the "chicks" are the offspring, which start as tiny buds on the main plant and soon sprout their own roots, taking up residence near to the mother plant. they are rather hardy even with the cold winter in Toronto they comes back every year.

Xueling Zou

Thank you for your explanation, now I can well understand and see the reason:)! I can not believe they have such strong life, can live in Toronto, amazing!

Alfred Ng

Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids.it contains about 1,200 species. The genus occurs in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia,

This one is from my garden, I keep it indoor during the winter and as soon as the weather is warm enough I would take it out in the garden and hang it on our pear tree. Last winter was rather mild so I took it out even earlier,I was rewarded with 25 blooms this month.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Hi all...
we need some help....perhaps someone will put some light as to what is the name of the white flowers in the image below please???
The orange flower is Calendula Officinalis....we know that...but the white tiny flowers we are not sure of...I think it could possibly be Gypsophyla...as there are over 120 species...
Maybe you can put some light on this???
Thank you so much for helping us
Richard and Jolanta

Alfred Ng

Richard and Jolanta, it is coriander flower, I have some in my garden.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alfredng/7331923806/

Xueling Zou

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful orchid blooming, Alfred! I can't believe that it has got so many flowers in such a cold climate, you must have a Very Green Thumb, besides your talent in painting:)!

Alfred Ng

Xueling, summer in Toronto can be very hot as well. I do have a number of orchid plants in my studio, they usually bloom in the winter.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Hi Alfred....
How wonderful! Such a quick reply!! Richard is going to be very happy now that we know what the flower is called....
It looks so pretty that I would like to grow it in my garden too...
thank you so much for your help...
Jolanta and Richard

Xueling Zou

@Alfred, my orchids didn't bloom when I lived in Singapore:(...

Kathy Clark

I thought you might like to see our crazy wild Alabama passion flowers

Richard Cummings

Thank you very much for identifying the coriander flower. Richard

Inspired Nature Photography By Shelley Myke

Can anyone assist with this.
I took this image in Ontario Canada near Hamilton Ontario.
It was during a Garden Tour. ... I missed the name.

http://shelley-myke.artistwebsites.com/featured/exotic-flower-with-rain-drops-shelley-myke.html

Thanks

Alfred Ng

Shelley, beautiful macro shot of the Tradescantia, the common name is Spiderwort.

Alfred

Nabucodonosor Perez

Anyone knows the name of this flower? I called it rose just because it sounded good and because it looks like a rose for me.

Alfred Ng

I can't make out the flower from your photo, do you have another shot focus on the flower?

Alfred Ng

OK I will take a guess Nerium ( Oleander).

Jolanta Anna Karolska

It looks like Oleander to me too....

Nabucodonosor Perez

Alfred, I dont have a closer picture, but thank you for your guess (thank you too Jolanta)! I think you are right

Alfred Ng

Jolanta, Richard, in case you don't know, Coriander also known as cilantro, Chinese parsleyis uses in many Asian dishes.if you don't want them take over your garden you shouldn't let the flowers turns into seeds.

Alfred Ng

To pick up from yesterday's orchid here is another one: Oncidium Orchid.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Thank you Alfred...yes...I was always wondering what Cilantro was when I am at the Chinese market...so now I know! And yes to your suggestion re: deadheading flowers...I do that especially with my Daturas...so they keep blooming and have abundance of new flowers....
thank you so much once again...
regards
Jolanta

p.s. what a wonderful source of information in this thread Alfred...keep it going!

Alfred Ng

You are welcome Jolanta!
Datura, (angel trumpet or moon flower) are very toxic. I read an article in the paper a few years back, teenagers trying to get high would intentionally ingesting datura and became seriously ill from it.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Thank you Alfred...yes...I know of the toxic properties of Daturas...and some people would just do anything to get high...even swallow the plant leaves...oh, well!
I had daturas growing in my garden in England and there the climate was much more favourable than here in Canada...but I love the plant with its beautiful bells..and I always handle it wearing gloves...
thank you so much for an interesting info Alfred...

JD Grimes

Hi, all. I have been following this discussion and thought that I would share a few flower pics myself.

This one is Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis), a beautiful little woodland wildflower that grows throughout eastern North America.

Richard Cummings

Hope this works...a first time for everything. Thanks to anyone who answers with a name of the flower.

Richard

Alfred Ng

JD, Thanks for sharing that interesting wild orchid, I haven't seen it before. Alfred

Alfred Ng

Richard, beautiful shot! I think it is "baby blue-eyes"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_blue_eyes
perhaps somone else would know.

Barbara Moignard

It looks quite like Geranium - Try Geranium Macrorrhzum. But I notice that there are no visible stamens on yours, Richard, so perhaps not.

Alfred Ng

Crassula is a large genus of succulent plants containing many species, including the popular Jade Plant; this one is a Crassula Falcata.

Richard Cummings

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/after-the-purple-rain-richard-cummings.html

Here is another view of the mystery flower.

Richard

Richard Cummings

Here is another view of the mystery flower.

Richard

JD Grimes

Richard, I am pretty sure that your flower is Common Corncockle (Agrostemma githago).

JD Grimes

This is a close-up of the white flowers of Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria). This particular plant was growing in a cow pasture, a common habitat for it. It is named for its flowers, which somewhat resemble white moths, with the purple stamens for antennae.

Richard Cummings

To JD Grimes,

Yes; I am certain now that you have identified it. Thank you very much.

Richard

Richard Cummings

And thanks to all of you, who have viewed the flower and made suggestions as to the name of it.

Alfred Ng

this clerodendrum also called bleeding heart vine, glory bower.

Amanda Jones

My dad told me the name of this flower, but I forget now..

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Amanda...this is Begonia...

JD Grimes

Jolanta is correct, Amanda's plant is certainly Begonia.

JD Grimes

This is a close-up of a pair of fuzzy, white Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) flowers. These flowers were photographed in their natural habitat, on the moist woodland floor. Each pair of flowers ripen into a single bright red berry, and these are eaten by wild birds including turkeys and thrushes.

Alfred Ng

JD, thanks for sharing this stunning image!
Here is another begonia, angel wing begonia.

Amanda Jones

Thanks everyone!!

I love seeing all these pictures of different flowers!

JD Grimes

This is a close-up of Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria). It once grew in Deptford England, but has spread to the New World. The "pink" in its name is derived from the 'pinked' (saw-toothed) petal edges, and it is from these flowers that we derive our name for the color pink, not the other way around.

Alfred Ng

The Toronto city park department has planted some of this at some parks this year. I like the bright red seed pods.
The castor seed is the source of castor oil, which has a wide variety of uses. The seeds contain between 40% and 60% oil that is rich in triglycerides, mainly ricinolein. The seed contains ricin, a toxin, which is also present in lower concentrations throughout the plant.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

What a beautiful Angel Wing Begonia Alfred...I haven't seen this type before...so thank you...
I am really enjoying this thread although I am a bit busy this week but making time to look here and see what's new...
Castor Oil plant I had growing in my garden in England...I miss it here in Canada...would this grow in this climate??
Thanks for sharing...
Jolanta

JD...Fuzzy Blooms looks divine!

Alfred Ng

Jolanta, I see you also from Toronto, the Castor oil plant are everywhere this year. the city's park department has planted them in many parks there are a large numbers of them along University Ave. some are them still blooming. I shot this one at University and Queen street.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Thank you Alfred...will have to look this up...

JD Grimes

@Jolanta: Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it. It is one of my favorites too.





This is a portrait shot of Hairy Skullcap (Scutelaria elliptica), taken in its natural habitat, on a moist woodland slope.

John Crothers

I don't think these are very rare, I am just that ignorant when it comes to flowers. They are growing in my wildflower patch and a few have even sprung up in my yard.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

I am sharing this one...it must be my favourite...tulips are so beautiful!

Jolanta Anna Karolska

I got carried away...so here is another one of my fav...I just love them...and yes...it grows in my garden....

Alfred Ng

John, yours are Gaillardia, the common name is "blanket flower".

John Crothers

Thank you Alfred!

Guess I better add some keywords!

Alfred Ng

I had tasted the prickly pear cactus fruit before I knew how the flower looks like:
.Every autumn, I would see these unusual fruit on sale at local market. One year, I brought a box of a dozen, once cut open the inside of the fruit was in a deep red color and tasted sweet with a slight bite like kiwi. I used them made jam. I gave one jar to an Italian friend and years later whenever he see me he would tell me how good that jam was and wanted to know when will I made them again!

Alfred Ng

Madagascar palm, Pachypodium lamerei is a species of Pachypodium. It has large thorns and leaves mostly just at the top of the plant. It is a stem succulent and comes from the island Madagascar. The plant bears large, fragrant flowers. The species has become one of the best known pachypodiums in cultivation, being relatively easy to propagate and grow. In cultivation it is often marketed as the "Madagascar Palm", despite its not being a palm at all. A variety called "Ramosum" has been described. It is distinguished mostly by a dwarf growth habit.

Ernie Echols

Any Clue what this is? EDIT-- Found it.

It is a Rocky Mountain bee plant or spiderflower.
also known as stinkweed because of its ill-scented smell,

Alfred Ng

Beautiful shot Ernie!

JD Grimes

This photograph shows three Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) flowers at different stages of development. When the edible fruit is ripe it will be greenish and several inches long, and a few inches in diameter.

Alfred Ng

Nicotianais a genus of herbs and shrubs of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) indigenous to North and South America, Australia, south west Africa and the South Pacific. Various Nicotiana species, commonly referred to as tobacco plants, are cultivated and grown to produce tobacco. Of all Nicotiana species, Cultivated Tobacco (N. tabacum) is the most widely planted and is grown worldwide for production of tobacco leaf for cigarettes. The genus is named in honor of Jean Nicot, who in 1561 was the first to present tobacco to the French royal court.

JD Grimes

This is a close-up of a Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) flower. This shot exhibits the delicate beauty of the stamens and the pink blush of the petals. This plant was growing in a cow pasture in North America, where it is not a native. It was introduced from eastern Asia, and farmers were encouraged to plant in the fencerows of their pastures. But it was spread by wild birds which eat the rose hips, and is now considered an invasive species.

Alfred Ng

Fennel flower

Robert James Hacunda

Not sure what these are, they were given to us.

Alfred Ng

Hi Robert, they are Spider flower. here is a close up shoot.

Robert James Hacunda

Thanks Alfred, we have been calling them Bee Balm and the humming birds love them..

Alfred Ng

yes, Robert they do look like the bee Balm. here is the Bee Balm (Monarda)

Alfred Ng

The eggplant aubergine, (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades) and genus Solanum. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato.

Robert James Hacunda

I've always called this vine Deadly Night Shade...I planted it 15 years ago..

Alfred Ng

Robert,
Some nightshade plants are poisonous; others are renowned for their healing and restorative properties.
One of them is the wolfberry, only recently been brought to North America, where they have swept across the wellness market. My mom grows them in her garden and it produces bright red berries, she uses them for soup, either fresh or dried.
Wolfberries have been researched for their ability to boost energy, strengthen the pancreas and reverse diabetes, and to reduce cancerous tumors.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

So fascinating Alfred...you are such a magnitude of in information on this subject...I keep coming back...love this thread...
regards
Jolanta

Alfred Ng

Thanks, Jolanta! I am glad you enjoy this thread, I will look for more unusual flowers to share.

Alfred Ng

Zephyranthes candida, commonly known as the white rain lily, is a species of rain lily native to the Rio de la Plata region of South America including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Chile.
Leaves are a deep glossy green and measure 3 mm wide. Flowers are erect in perianth white or sometimes pinkish abaxially. The leaf-like bract is 1.8 to 4 cm.
Other common names of Zephyranthes candida include August rain lily, white zephyr lily, Peruvian swamp-lily, white fairy lily, and autumn zephyr lily.

Donna Van Vlack

Thank Ernie, I thought that was a Joe Pye weed. Good to know. Now I can rename my photograph.

Donna Van Vlack

Thank Ernie, I thought that was a Joe Pye weed. Good to know. Now I can rename my photograph.

Alfred Ng

I don’t usually see snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) in blooms so I was excited to see them blooming in my local green house. The flowers are tiny in white and delicate looking. I once heard at a radio garden show the flowers are also edible but I don’t know anyone tried it yet. The plant got its name because of the shape of its leaves, or also called mother-in-law's tongue because of their sharpness. In China, it is known Tiger's Tail Orchid. In Japan, it is called 'Tiger's Tail

Mike Savad

i'm really hoping i got some of these names right. i took a bunch, they had no names, i kind of guessed at it based on some pictures. i doubt anyone knows their sub-name, but i'd like to get their basic name. thanks - eventually i'll have more, but after a while they do start looking a like.


---Mike Savad

Alfred Ng

Mike, the first one is Phalaenopsis, the second one is Oncidium, the third is Vanda. yes, the last one is Cattleya.

Mike Savad

ok i'll have to correct those tomorrow. i got one right. have to remember not to fill it into the link when i have no idea what i'm doing. thanks


---Mike Savad

Alfred Ng

You are welcome Mike. the Phalaenopsis also called "moth orchid" and the oncidium known as "dancing lady orchid".

Mike Savad

is there a method or a trick to ID the plants just by looking? like does one have more of a face than the other?

---Mike Savad

Alfred Ng

Well, the easy way is look at the plants, different type of orchid have different sterm, leaves, size and shape of the flowers. the ones you post here are the more common ones.

Mike Savad

what i mean is, is there a particular trick to these types of orchids. do you have a dummies guide that you can just list the most basic general aspects?

---Mike Savad

Alfred Ng

well no trick,all by learning. there are hundreds of books on orchids. you can just get a basic book on orchids. after that you can learn about the wild orchids.many growers are constantly creating new ones. there also orchid collectors travel around the world to look for the ones we haven't discover yet. it just endless.

Alfred Ng

Paphiopedilum (lady slipper orchid) are characterised by the slipper-shaped pouches of the flowers. the pouch traps insects so they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia, thus fertilizing the flower.

James Tanforan

Can anybody name this? Thanks so much! (This thread is really appreciated!)

Alfred Ng

James, I haven't seen this before but the leaves look like Eucalyptus. Was is taken at a botanical garden? by the way this is a Cymbidium orchid.

JD Grimes

This is a close-up of a Heal-all (Prunella vulgaris) flower head. These wildflowers grow in shady areas, like the woodland trail on which these were photographed in West Virginia.

Alfred Ng

the pocketbook flower calceolaria, also called Lady's purse, Slipper flower and or Slipperwort, is a genus of plants in the Calceolariaceae family. Whenever I see them reminds me the candies I had when I was a child.

James Tanforan

Alfred, thanks for trying to identify that plant. I will try to find the time to return to the site and get more info. But I agree, it does have a Eucalyptus "look" to the leaves.
And thanks so much for identifying the Orchid! I had been wanting to know what type it was for a long time. Can't thank you enough for this thread, you are providing a wonderful service here.

Alfred Ng

James, I really glad you find this thread useful. I think I know the name of that flower. I was stumped by the color but after look at the leaves more carefully, I think it is a honeysuckle.

Alfred Ng

Many called the ranunculus as the paper roses. it comes in many color such as white, yellow, pink and red.

Georgia Fowler

I can't find the name of these pretty flowers. Does anyone know what they are?

Alfred Ng

is this a small plant, what kind of leaves it has? it could from a flowering tree.

Georgia Fowler

I could post a photo of the original before I altered it but not sure how I could do that..........
It was taken in Thailand if that helps.

Georgia Fowler

OK figured it out!
This is the original.



and here is one showing the leaves better:

Alfred Ng

Georgia, I think it is a "coral bush" we have one in our local greenhouse.

Georgia Fowler

Thanks so much Alfred. You are right it looks very similar to that one.

Alfred Ng

You are welcome Georgia! it really helped with the other photos.

Alfred Ng

here is another orchid," myrmecophila orchid".

Alfred Ng

Euphorbia, consisting of over 2008 species one is the popular Poinsettia we see around Christmas time.
The Euphorbia milii (Crown-of-thorns or Christ Plant) is a woody, succulent species of Euphorbia native to Madagascar. The species name after Baron Milius, once governor of Réunion, who introduced the species to France in 1821. It is suspected that the species was introduced to the Middle East in ancient times, and legend that says it once had white flowers which tuned red when its thorny stems were used to make the crown of thorns Jesus wore.



Euphorbia Candelabra tree



Euphorbia polychroma

Jolanta Anna Karolska

What an interesting info Alfred...love the Candelabra Tree most...thank you for sharing...

Alfred Ng

Glad you enjoy this thread Jolanta! here is another euphorbia: "Euphorbia Characia", they were about three feet tall. I saw these in English Bay, Vancouver, B.C. during the spring this year,

JD Grimes

This is a portrait of a Spotted Wintergreen (Chimphila maculata) plant, taken in its natural woodland environment. This native North Amaerican wildflower is endangered in some parts of its range.

Alfred Ng

I just love the name of this Drumstick Primrose ( primula denticolata).

Alfred Ng

Shell ginger (alpinia zerumber) is native to eastern Asia, this plant is a rhizomatous, ever green tropical perennial that grows in upright clumps 8–10 feet tall in tropical climates. It bears funnel-formed flowers.In more typical conditions, it reaches 4–8 feet tall in the green house, and 3–4 feet tall, as a house plant. It is called a shell ginger or shell flower most commonly, because its individual pink flowers, especially when in bud, resemble sea shells.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Love Drumstick Primrose...what a beauty Alfred...and Opening Soon...captured in the full glory of the stage in the life of this plant....fabulous...
I have to say...this is the only thread I visit on regular basis...and I am sure other people do too...
thank you Alfred...

Alfred Ng

Thank you so much Jolanta!. When I thought no one is reading this thread however when I checked on it and was surprised the numbers had shoot up. As long as this being read I will keep this going and look for more interesting flowers to post.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Oh, my goodness me Alfred!! Yes...it has almost reached the 5000 mark...so people are checking this thread...it would be nice to see more comments though...but it is well read for sure!!
Keep this going...I am a big fan!
kind regards
Jolanta

JD Grimes

Wow, Alfred! That shell ginger is so interesting! Thank you for sharing your knowledge in this thread!




This is a portrait of a grouping of ghostly white Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) plants. These plants lack chlorophyl, which is why they have no green color. As seen here, they grow in moist woodlands.

Alfred Ng

Thanks Jd for sharing this! that look amazing I haven't seen this before. I wonder if they edible?

Alfred Ng

The wild flower butter and eggs ( Linaria vulgaris ), Common Toadflax,Yellow Toadflax which looks a lot like the snapdragon (Antirrhinum) is a species of toadflax (Linaria), native to most of Europe and northern Asia, now common in North America

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Love the Indian Pipes by JD...they stand so gracefully.. and yes Alfred...I remember the Snapdragon flowers in my homeland - Poland...you could find them in many gardens...various colours too...

Xueling Zou

Does anyone know what the botanical name of this cactus? Thank you!

Alfred Ng

Xueling, it could be Opuntia neoargentina ( Tree Optuntia Cactus ).

Alfred Ng

Papaya is a tropical plant so I was surprised and delighted to see it in blooms. this one is at a greenhouse in Allan Gardens Toronto. This tree alos has some papayas, some of the large ones are about six inches.

Xueling Zou

Thank you so much Alfred! You are so right, and I just love to come back to learn more about plants:)!

Puzzles Shum

I don't no any of the names of my flowers in my flower gallery help need it http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/p0zzles.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=200126

Puzzles Shum

thanks

JD Grimes

Hi, Puzzles Shum! I took a look at you gallery and can Identify a few of them for you.

This one is Orange Daylily (Hemerocalis fulva):

This one is Purple Passion-flower (Passiflora incarnata):

This is lilac (Syringa):

I believe this is morning glory (Ipomoea):

Alfred Ng

This one is Abutilon common name is flowering maple.



this on eis a hoya, also called wax plant, wax vine and Chinese called it diamond flower.

Puzzles Shum

JD Grimes and Alfred Ng this is a huge help thank you both . Now clearing more about flowers then ever before once again thanks

Alfred Ng

Camassia is a genus of six species native to western Canada, and the western United States. Common names include Camas, Quamash, Indian hyacinth, and Wild hyacinth

Alfred Ng

Puzzles, her eare more name for your flowers:
Geranium

Rhododendron

Spider lily

Anthurium

Zinnia

Verbena

Alfred Ng

I saw this unusual” impatiens, fusion glow yellow” at the Montreal Botanical Gardens in Montreal. It has small orchid-like pale yellow flowers with a slight apricot flush.

Alfred Ng

These blue flowers are nothing short of breath taking and wonderful to stumble upon. The bloom period in late summer is short lived but this plant is worth the space in the garden. Pleated Gentian likes it moist but will grow in sun or part shade.

Xueling Zou

Wow, I love all your captures, Alfred! Beautiful flowers with your rich plant knowledge, you really can publish a book for us:)! Have a great weekend!

Alfred Ng

Thank you Xueling! I will add it to my to do list. Have a nice weekend!

Alfred Ng

Most know this is the pear blossom. What makes this unusual is pear tree blooms in Spring but our pear tree in the garden is blooming again. I took this photo today on the 3 of September. very odd!

Jolanta Anna Karolska

This is most strange Alfred...how very odd...that's nature for you...full of surprises!

Alfred Ng

Jolanta, I walk by this garden everyday and theirs Wisteria is blooming again! We might have a warm winter this year.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Oh, my! What a news this is Alfred...and talking of Wisterias...I was given a Chinese Wisteria as a present this year...it has taken so well..in fact I am so surprised it has got so bushy in just one season...still no flowers...but your information made me think...haha and the prospect of warm winter has just put a smile on my face...thank you Alfred..you are a gem!

Alfred Ng

Jolanta, here is that still blomming Wisteria. good luck to yours wisteria.

Karyn Robinson

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/prickly-pear-blossom-karyn-robinson.html

Alfred Ng

I rather like this weed, it has orchid like tint flower and the bees love them. Asclepias physocarpa - Balloon Cotton Bush is a perennial herb which can grow to 1.5m tall. It is often seen on roadsides and paddocks throughout the countryside. It has white flowers and large light green inflated balloon like capsules with rough hairs and a milky sap.

Jolanta Anna Karolska

Wisteria against Japanese Maple looks just out of this world! I thought you might just pop in the photo...I was right! Thank you Alfred...

Puzzles Shum

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/flower-puzzles-shum.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-flower-puzzles-shum.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fllower-puzzles-shum.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/2-flower-puzzles-shum.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/3-flower-puzzles-shum.html

Alfred Ng

The first one looks like a loosestripe but I need a sharper photo to be sure.
#2 and #3 are Dahlia and #3 and #4 are Zinnia.

Puzzles Shum

1 = i have others i took i will take a look at them
I now 2 and 3 are Dahilia but i could not fined the exact name for each one like the others i took.

3 and 4 are called zinnia i guess not having the exact name should not be a big dale
I am new to all this

thanks

Alfred Ng

This one I think it is Dahlia, Anenome "Araluen Beauty" I don't think you need to have the full name of each flowers as long you label as such. Most would not know the full name anyway.

Puzzles Shum

whats about number 5 :)

Alfred Ng

#5 is a Zinnia, Oklahoma Pink.

Alfred Ng

Acidanthera Bicolor (Peacock Flower) is from the iris family which native to South Africa. With its white pointed petals and maroon centers, the plant can grow to about three feet.

Xueling Zou

Hi Alfred, I would love to know the name of this plant if you could help, thank you so much:)! BTW, it was almost evening time when I took the photo.

Alfred Ng

Xueling, I can't tell by just looking at the flower bud. Do you have any photos of the open flower? How tall is the plant?

Xueling Zou

I will email you more photos, they were about 8 to 10 feet tall. Each bud was about 7 to 9 inches tall too. Unfortunately, we could wait till they bloomed:(.

Alfred Ng

Xueling, after looking at the other photos you sent. I think it is a Pilosocereus.

Xueling Zou

Thank you very much, Alfred! I think you are right after I did google search. You are incredible about all the plants:)!

Alfred Ng

I am glad to help. this thread do helps me to keep my mind sharp and working.

Xueling Zou

This thread is great, helps me to learn something new too! Thank you again! I am sure I will be back soon!

Alfred Ng

Well, it was a frist for me: bamboo in bloom.

Xueling Zou

Are they normal bamboos? I know there so many different kinds... Wow, I don't think I every have seen any bamboo flowers, only read from Chinese poems, and said the bamboo would die soon after blooming. Is that true?

Jolanta Anna Karolska

First time for me too Alfred...beautiful flowers... have a nice weekend...all of you!

Alfred Ng

Xueling,
those are not the Chinese bamboo I known of, they are at my local greenhouse. I read the Chinese bamboo will bloom every 50 years and afterward will die off .My mother told me the last time the bamboo bloom back in the village where she was born, it was in the middle of famine. The bamboo flowers would produce seeds and the staving villagers would eat them to cure hunger.Chinese beilive when bamboo blooms it bad luck would follow.

Have a nice weekend to you Jolanta!

Xueling Zou

@ Alfred, thank you so much to share the story about bamboo. As Chinese, we all know that Chinese scholars live with as a strong a spirit as the bamboos. This is because they are easy to be rooted and hard to be broken... (not sure how to translate that well). So, I grow a large pot of black bamboo at the backyard:). Have a great weekend!!

Alfred Ng

Yes, Xueling, I know what you mean. In Chinese culture bamboo has an important meaning. .Bamboo is a plant that is delicate yet strong. It bends in the winds, but seldom breaks. It often used in painting to symbolize one’s inner strength.
Bamboo along with plum blossom, orchid and chrysanthemum are called the four gentlemen or the four noble ones.
As they represent the four seasons (the orchid for spring, the bamboo for summer, the chrysanthemum for autumn, and the plum blossom for winter), the four are used to depict the seasons through the year.

Xueling Zou

Thank you Alfred! I was told and read about the four nobles are: Pine Tree (winter), Bamboo, Orchid and Chrysanthemum:), are the symbolic and the spirits of the Chinese scholars:)! Here is the link: http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8A%B1%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%9B%E5%90%9B%E5%AD%90 in Chinese. The plum blossom belonged to them, but was kind of extention:)!

Here is the photo of my orchid blooming after 10 years, there is a story behind it:)!

Alfred Ng

Beautiful Cymbidium orchid Xueling! they are the ones in Chinese paintings I called them Chinese orchid. The pine tree is regards as emblem of longevity. in Chinese culture To present an elder a painting of a pine tree or pine tree with snow is to wish he/she a long life.

Xueling Zou

In China, I didn't see this kind of orchid, maybe because I was living in the north part. And the flower is much smaller that we can smell the strong strong fragrant, most of them what I had seen were white or off white color, blooming lower position than the photo I posted.

You are right about the plum flowers:)! I don't know why I could not post the link here, maybe its Chinese?

Kim Bird

This flower was in a public park in town. Can anyone identify it please? Thanks.

Alfred Ng

Xueling, the Chinese cymbidium orchids are smaller than the ones we usually see, most of them are miniature. Here is the one I have, it usually blooms in late fall or early winter.
I was able to read your link last night with my computer at home but this morning it seems been changed?

Alfred Ng

Sorry, Kim I never seen this flower before, maybe someone would know..

Xueling Zou

Thank you Alfred! Sorry, I tried to post more links and they were messed up, maybe some of them in Chinese, I am not sure! Does your Chinese Cymbidium have fragrant scent? I can't smell anything from this type orchid here.