skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

Help ID an adorable plant?

wandering_willow

13 years ago

Hi, so I went to my dentist today, and her office is in an apartment building, so as I walked through the lobby I saw this adorable succulent-looking plant! The doorman didn't know what it was - I asked, and I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm nuts, but I was really quite taken with the plant, so I'm hoping you guys can help me figure out what it was!

It looked kind of like some alien life form, haha

Anyway, it was about 8-10in tall, with a 6in or so dark green stem about the width of a quarter with a few 1/4-1/2in thorns on it. Then at the top of that it looked like it "opened" for a fan-shaped crinkley "flower?" to emerge - this was white with pinkish tips. It seemed to be doing well in a very dim lobby, though since I don't know what it is I don't really know what "well" would look like for it, but perhaps it doesn't need much light?

This is a terrible description, and I wish i had taken a picture, but if anyone can help me out with a possible name for this thing please let me know!

thanks so much!

-Willow

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

tjicken
13 years ago
This is a long shot, but could it be something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:627672}}
rosemariero6
13 years ago
tjicken has it...and it was a perfect description of a Euphorbia lactea crest grafted onto another cactus! This plant is what I pictured as soon as you said "alien". LOL
Related Discussions
Need help ID'ing this plant on my AZ property
Q
Comments (23)
Assuming this is Oncosiphon,some people asked for seeds and I would be glad to provide some but have no idea how to get seeds. I'm not a real gardener, just wanted to know the name of this plant that is all over the foothills north of Phoenix. So if someone could give me a few instructions re how to collect seeds I would be happy to send some off when they are ready. thanks Caroline (OP) Cave Creek AZ
...See More
Need help ID'ing this plant with white flowers
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks for the feedback. After checking other photos and details for the plant I am sure you nailed it. In Michigan it is actually considered a Noxious weed and quite toxic to livestock, especially horses; in Europe it is considered an ornamental plant good for landscaping purposes so I guess I will still include it in my collection of wildflowers even though most people in Mich. might disagree.
...See More
Help With House Plant ID’s
Q
Comments (6)
1st is a Breynia, 2nd is some kind of variegated Poliscias / Aralia. 3rd is variegated Dizzygotheca elegantissima or False Aralia. I don't know the 4th, maybe a Ficus of some kind. Nice whatever it is. It's great that you've got them in what looks like somewhat fast draining mix, but I might have left them in plastic pots, so they don't dry out as fast. Great looking group, nice haul.
...See More
Plant ID help bush ID
Q
Comments (9)
Sarcococca would not survive zone 5/6 or if it did, would never recover good foliage by September, unless protected. There are precious few cultivars of Prunus laurocerasus that can survive zone 5/6 like 'Otto Luyken.' Certainly it's not 'Mount Vernon.' Many of the larger-leaved laurocersus do not even do well here in zone 7 East Coast. So given its hardiness, and the fact that 'Otto Luyken' is the most available and commonly grown evergreen Prunus shrub in the Mid-Atlantic, it's extremely likely this is 'Otto Luyken'.
...See More
wandering_willow
Original Author
13 years ago
yes! that is it! Thank you so much!

Related Stories

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Help Monarchs and Other Butterflies by Planting Common Milkweed

By Pollination Press LLC

Summer-blooming Asclepias syriaca is an important larval host plant for the monarch butterfly and attracts a number of pollinating insects

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Native Plants Help You Find Your Garden Style

By Oakley Gardens

Imagine the garden of your dreams designed with plants indigenous to your region

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Saturated Colors Help a 1920s Fixer-Upper Flourish

By Madison Modern Home

Bright paint and cheerful patterns give this Spanish-style Los Angeles home a thriving new personality

STAIRWAYS Help Your Stair Landing Take Off

By Danyelle Mathews

Whether for storage, art, plants or whatever else strikes your fancy, your stair landing can serve your home in a thoughtful way

LIFE You Said It: ‘Put It Back’ If It Won’t Help Your House, and More Wisdom

By Becky Harris

Highlights from the week include stopping clutter from getting past the door, fall planting ideas and a grandfather’s gift of love

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

Sponsored

More Discussions

Moon Cactus help

4

21 year old Jade Plant 4ft tall Pruning Repotting Questions Concerns

3

Easter Cacti in bloom

4

Euphorbia disease advice?

3

6