An interesting new plant has sprung up in my parent’s back yard, and no-one in the neighborhood has a clue. I’ve got the proverbial black thumb, and wouldn’t even know how to start a 'net search for it.
To start, we’re in the high desert, and this little goomer seems to want to grow near downspouts and water taps, so I would guess it’s some kind of succulent.
So far, they haven’t gotten more than about 4" tall x 4in wide with multiple stems coming from a common root.
The leaves are dark green, almost circular, about 3/4 inch across (so far) and the stem comes through the center, like a little lily pad. Where the stem comes through, a little cluster of buds is producing a star-shaped blossom not more than 1/4 in across; five leafed, pale lilac colored at the tips much darker purple towards the center, where the central structure (pistils? stamens?) seems fairly detailed–more detailed than these middle-aged eyes can make out anyway.
Dad was generically calling them “weeds”, and had his hoe in hand, but Mom and I staved him off until we could get further info.
They are quite pretty, does this sound like something anyone’s heard of?
–Alan Q
Photos? You can post them for free on Boomspeed.
I’d be happy to attempt to key it out if I had some detailed photos.
A good start is that leaves where the stem appears to run(like [this/url) through are called perfoliate. Often this will be reflected in the specific name. [url="http://www.clunet.edu/wf/chap/flowers/fwr-789.htm]Oxytheca perfoliata (not a very good picture), the saucer plant, for example.
![/url) through are called perfoliate. Often this will be reflected in the specific name. [url="http://www.clunet.edu/wf/chap/flowers/fwr-789.htm]Oxytheca perfoliata](http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/tfplab/veg41.jpg){kind=link}
Bother, lets try that again:
A good start is that leaves where the stem appears to run(like this) through are called perfoliate. Often this will be reflected in the specific name. Oxytheca perfoliata (not a very good picture), the saucer plant, for example.
Q.E.D.–
Thanks for the tip about “BoomSpeed”, but I guess I put if off too late–not having access to a digital camera with a macro lens, I put a physical sample through my flatbed scanner and came up with a fairly decent image.
Alas, when I checked the BoomSpeed site, this is what I found:
“Due to the overwhelming popularity of BoomSpeed.Com hosting,
As well as the mis-use of the free accounts, we have been forced to temporarily disable new user signups.”
Today I got a couple of regional Wildflower & Weed field guides from that amazing new source called “the library”, and if worst comes to worst, I might even go so far as to check in with the County Extention Agent–I think Hank Kimball is still in Hooterville, but you never know!
Mangetout–“perfoliate” at least gives me a term to look for, thanks.
–Alan Q
Alan, you can take your question to the local Cooperative Extension Service, operated through public land-grant universities in each state. The services operate a Master Gardeners help line, and the volunteers are equipped with all kinds of references. They can identify your plant for no charge.
Thanks MercyStreet–
That’s the same as the County Agent I spoke of: and they’ve been as helpful over the 'phone as they could–of course, they want a sample, but since I’m on shanks mare at the moment, I consolidate my trips, so I haven’t gotten over there yet (the library’s only two blocks away).
One more note for Mangetout: those picture links for perfoliates are exactly what I meant. I did, however, in the OP forget to mention that the base of the plant has spade shaped leaves that are decidedly traditional–but still have that shiny, succulent look; like a cover for “Sunset” magazine.
–Alan Q
Alan Q -
I don’t know if your plant is a native, but it could be (or not). If your location is correct, you may be able to consult with your native plant society at:
http://heritage.nv.gov/nnps.htm
They have some links to plant pictures and organizations that may identify your mystery plant. The botany department of your local university would likely know more information, especially if it’s a non-native plant you are dealing with.
InTransit:
Great link, thanks–I’ve got it bookmarked, and I haven’t even finished searching it yet, mainly because the English name for “Antennaria soliceps” had me giggling like a schoolboy and thinking of the worst of the 007 movies!
Actually, I’ve seen that plant a lot out in the hills, I always thought it was just a variant of our old reliable sagebrush–I can’t wait to casually name-drop it on the first available camping trip!
–Alan Q
Alan Q, you can name-drop, but only if you can keep a straight face when you say it!
I’m curious about your plant now - I hope you’ll come back and let us know.
Here is a picture of the plant emailed to me by Alan Q.
The non-plant item in the picture is a guitar pick (plectrum) included for scale.
Some of what I said above is inaccurate; I was under the impression that there were multiple leaves ‘threaded’ on a single stem, but this does not appear to be the case.
I suspect that the ‘leaves’ from which the flowers are not actually true leaves at all, but bracts or petioles or something like that.
Alan Q, I just had a good lesson in “Read the whole post before raising your hand and saying, ‘Oooooo! Me! Me! Me! I know! Me!’”
This could be a species of violet (genus viola). Here is a web site with pictures of various types of violets:
It looks more like something in the Polygonaceae (sorrels, docks, buckwheat) to me.
Folks, I think we have a winner! Thank you all for your suggestions; even negative results narrow down the search! Special thanks to Mangetout for putting up my scan. Also, never forget that curious institution called the Public Library!
May I have the envelope please? (drumroll) and the winner is–
“Miner’s Lettuce” aka Claytonia perfoliata, and more bonus points for Mangetout re: the “perfoliate” nomenclature.
Google has lots of links w/pics, and if there’s anything closer, I haven’t seen it. It’s supposed to be edible, but I think I will take a sample to the County Agent before I make a salad, just to be sure.
Thanks again for the help & education,
–Alan Q
AlanQ; doubtful it is miner’s lettuce, as lettuce usually has two leaves under flower cluster.
I think Mangeout got it right; my wife is a UC Master Gardner and she thinks it is a sorrell of some sort.
Miner’s lettuce is not lettuce.
I think it is Claytonia.
http://www.futurefoods.com/Graphics/claytonia.jpg
I’m kicking myself about this because Claytonia is one of the plants I considered but dismissed.
Portulacaceae, not Polygonaceae, ah well.