Pls help me identify this plant

11 years ago

bought this plant from a garden sale. Pls help me identify it. I have more pictures. Don't know how to upload more than 1 picture. Thought it was a varigated liriope but not sure. This plant has a white stripe along the middle the liriope seems to have green down the middle.

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Comments (14)

flora_uk
11 years ago
Judging from the dead flowers it's a variegated sedge, Carex. I'm afraid I don't know enough about them to id it more accurately.

This post was edited by flora_uk on Tue, Apr 30, 13 at 12:05
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
11 years ago
Looks like spider/airplane plant (chlorophytum comosum).

Here is a link that might be useful: Chlorophytum comosum on Wikipedia
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Looks a lot like a Pseuderanthemum atropurpureum "Tricolor" or other similar tropical shrub sold as a houseplant - I see them all the time in the grocery store and places like Home Depot and have owned several over the years both at home and in the office. Moving it to the balcony was smart - it needs at least partial if not full sun. The only way to keep it healthy indoors is in a very bright window or with a grow light unless you are fortunate to have a balcony. It needs rich soil, well drained, and to be fed regularly and watered generously. Give it some food and water and it should perk up. Can't tell for sure from the photo but it could probably stand being moved to a larger pot. I've usually fed these with dilute azalea food alternating with dilute houseplant food although palm food would work as well - it likes acidic soil. It doesn't like to be in mud but don't let it dry out completely either. These plants are prone to spider mites and scale indoors if they are neglected or not watered enough - the insects tend to attack struggling plants like this one. My usual way to deal with this is to spray with a solution of water with some canola and a bit of clear soap (like 7th Generation or clear Joy or Palmolive). If you see hints of anything suggesting insects (small spider webs for example), take it out into the driveway and give it a brisk spray with a hose first and then spray with soap and oil solution. If it likes its location and it's well cared for, and can get 4 feet tall or taller. I had one get to nearly 5 feet in front of a floor to ceiling window in an office..... that thing just loved that spot. You do need to rotate the pot every few weeks though if growing in a window,
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amcher4i
Original Author
11 years ago
I think you r right. U r good. Thx very much. Just have to figure where to put it now.
User
11 years ago
Ditto Carex, seed heads give it away.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Extremely unlikely, Chlorophytum couldn't stay alive outside in winter in NJ. It doesn't have grassy seed heads like that, nor would Liriope.
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
11 years ago
Yeah, I couldn't tell from the focus if those were actually seedheads or just damaged foliage/flower. Color/shape is spot on for a fairly common chlorophytum. If they are seedheads that are part of the plant and not something else growing in the pot, then agree its most likely some carex.

Ruling it out because it's not winter hardy in NJ would be a leap from the info provided as tropicals are frequently sold at garden centers and sales.

This post was edited by bostedo on Tue, Apr 30, 13 at 13:51
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Absolutely, could be misinterpretation of the contextual clues on my part.
flora_uk
11 years ago
Well, apart from the Carex seed heads, the single central stripe is very well defined. Chlorophytum comosum generally has several stripes: a central one and narrower stripes each side. I have one in front of me as I type. The multiple stripes are clearly visible on the Wiki illustration if you click to enlarge it.
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
11 years ago
flora_uk: Oh... I didn't make it very clear, I had already changed my bet when saltcedar seconded your assessment. My babbling had more to do with bewilderment over how well/quickly you folks can latch onto details in photos that seem obscure or questionable in my IE/FF browser windows. Found afterwards that download and zoom can help a lot. Besides, if it is carex oshimensis 'Evergold' or close relative, it will also be winter hardy in NJ. ;-)
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Isn't latching onto details what it's all about? When the latched detail is mentioned, others can focus on it and agree or disagree. I would have never seen the seed thing if it hadn't already been mentioned, thought they were dead leaves at first glance, blown onto the plant after bringing it home. I was going by the fact that the plant is not in a hanging basket but failed to mention it, sorry. Also the subtle difference between "garden sale" and "plant sale" which is what I would expect a sale of house plants in NJ to be called. In NJ it's not hardy, so there's at least a 99% chance Chlorophytum would be in a hanging basket.
flora_uk
11 years ago
I didn't download the photo. One click turns it the right way round. A second click enlarges it. Also I thought it wasn't Chlorophytum because of the clarity and brightness of the stripes. Then I checked the brown stalks. I don't do it consciously. It's more a feeling.
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
11 years ago
purpleinopp: Yes, the details keep it interesting. I was kind of thinking out loud about the process (which is new to me) and may have sidetracked things a bit. Agreed with your logic about it most likely being something hardy in NJ, I was just observing that in the case of an unknown potted plant with undisclosed provenance, others can't be completely ruled out until it's been identified.

flora_uk: The original photo sure reminded me of a Chlorophytum I lived with for a while at university, but we parted soon after graduation and lost touch. I probably stared at it for hours while mulling over assignments, but the unique characteristics you mentioned have long faded from memory - thanks for reminding me. I'm giving the Image Zoom extension a try; can't rotate/zoom in two clicks, but can get there in four. Not likely to make me a better guesser, but will be better able to see the overlooked details you and others point out.
flora_uk
11 years ago
bostedo - do you use a mouse? If so you can enlarge by pressing ctrl and spinning the mouse wheel.
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
11 years ago
...... you can enlarge by pressing ctrl and spinning the mouse wheel.

flora_uk: Nice! Glad to see it is a feature of both FF and IE. Thanks... will likely benefit some other folks who also read this forum, but not their browser manuals.