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Name That Plant!

Snow on the Mountain

17 years ago

When I posted this on the Gardening in Texas forum, I got a common name of 'Snow on the Mountain', but when I Google that, I get 3 or 4 other plants, but not this one.

The new foliage is white, changing to variegated and then green as it matures. It's growth habit is similar to Cape Plumbago in that it grows jointed canes and is a leaner. Can you help me identify it?

Jim

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Comments (5)

aka_peggy
17 years ago
Jim, I've grown this plant before and I'm sure it's an alternanthera....which is the same family as a plant called Joseph's coat. The only likeness I could find is in the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: alternanthera ficoidea
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bossjim1
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Peggy. This one gets a lot taller than the one in the link, maybe even 5 to 6 ft. Even so, your link is the closest I've found.
Jim
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aka_peggy
17 years ago
Jim, the one in the photo I believe is a dwarf of yours. If you google alternanthera ficoidea "snowball" or "joseph's coat" you'll find some descriptions that fit your plant but no images. One link I found describes the plant as growing to 9'.

I recall I purchased my plant (over 25 yrs ago) from Logee's Greenhouse in Connecticut. Glasshouse Works in Ohio also carried it. I couldn't find it on Logee's website however it is listed in an old Logee's catalog. I had a difficult time trying to pull up the image at Glasshouse Works.

You might try posting this on the foliage plant forum or on tropical plants. Good luck, I hope you figure it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: alternanthera ficoidea
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bossjim1
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you so much, Peggy. After researching as per your suggestion, I am pretty much convinced that my plant is Alternanthera ficoidea 'Sessilis Alba'. I found a few descriptions, and even some pictures, although most were in Japanese. Your persistent help is much appreciated!
Jim
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aka_peggy
17 years ago
Hey Jim, I'm glad you figured it out!! That was fun!!
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