MP 87 | Mystery Plant Contest

MP 87

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told2b Joined: 9/12/2006 Location: Northern, NJ Posts: 3822	Posted: Sep/23/2009 11:07 PM PST I'm telling you that the site that I got the picture from ALSO says the flower is white. I just do not see it. I have no problem with your handling of the MP. Quote \| Reply \| Report

told2b Joined: 9/12/2006 Location: Northern, NJ Posts: 3822	Posted: Sep/30/2009 10:33 PM PST Daubenya Daubenya is a genus in the Hyacinthaceae family from South Africa. Most of the species are found in the winter rainfall area. Originally thought to have a single species, Daubenya aurea, it was expanded by John Manning and Peter Goldblatt in 2000 to include other genera (Androsiphon, Amphisiphon) and species that have been considered Polyxena, Massonia, or Neobarkeria in the past. Common to all are two spreading prostrate leaves and white to yellow or red tubular flowers in a condensed raceme followed by papery capsules with smooth glossy seeds. Flowers are pollinated by butterflies, beetles, sunbirds, and bees depending on the species. Daubenya zeyheri is from calcareous-coastal sands in the South Western Cape. It has glossy green leaves and flowers with white petals and showy red-orange filaments. That much alone makes this an attractive plant when viewed from the side. The wonderful surprise comes when you view it from above. The bottoms of the stamens are coloured purple and this colour reflects in the copious nectar pools that gather in the flowers. It looks like the flowers are filled with glowing amethysts. the nectar attracts sunbirds who pollinate it. This plant can truly be described as a jewel of the desert!! Photo below showing a top view from Paul Cumbleton. Attachments: Quote \| Reply \| Report

Ryan Joined: 5/31/2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 322	Posted: Oct/03/2009 10:59 AM PST You win. Nice job. Quote \| Reply \| Report

aimee Joined: 6/21/2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 788	Posted: Oct/03/2009 3:31 PM PST Boys, PLEASE, it's a game. The "Flowers" are white, or at least the petals, which most people refer to as the flower. The anthers are yellow with pollen. The filaments holding up the anthers are orange, and the ovaries at the bottom are blue - but surrounding all of those, in each picture, at the very bottom of the flower are white petals or actually it looks more like part of the calyx. Quote \| Reply \| Report

told2b Joined: 9/12/2006 Location: Northern, NJ Posts: 3822	Posted: Oct/03/2009 11:31 PM PST Thank you, Aimee. Quote \| Reply \| Report

Rashell Joined: 9/17/2007 Location: Posts: 2978	Posted: Oct/08/2009 10:19 PM PST Congrats T2 Good Job Ryan! Now where is the next MP? Quote \| Reply \| Report

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told2b

Joined: 9/12/2006
Location: Northern, NJ
Posts: 3822

Posted: Sep/23/2009 11:07 PM PST

I'm telling you that the site that I got the picture from ALSO says the flower is white. I just do not see it.
I have no problem with your handling of the MP.

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told2b

Joined: 9/12/2006
Location: Northern, NJ
Posts: 3822

Posted: Sep/30/2009 10:33 PM PST

Daubenya
Daubenya is a genus in the Hyacinthaceae family from South Africa. Most of the species are found in the winter rainfall area. Originally thought to have a single species, Daubenya aurea, it was expanded by John Manning and Peter Goldblatt in 2000 to include other genera (Androsiphon, Amphisiphon) and species that have been considered Polyxena, Massonia, or Neobarkeria in the past. Common to all are two spreading prostrate leaves and white to yellow or red tubular flowers in a condensed raceme followed by papery capsules with smooth glossy seeds. Flowers are pollinated by butterflies, beetles, sunbirds, and bees depending on the species.

Daubenya zeyheri is from calcareous-coastal sands in the South Western Cape. It has glossy green leaves and flowers with white petals and showy red-orange filaments. That much alone makes this an attractive plant when viewed from the side. The wonderful surprise comes when you view it from above. The bottoms of the stamens are coloured purple and this colour reflects in the copious nectar pools that gather in the flowers. It looks like the flowers are filled with glowing amethysts. the nectar attracts sunbirds who pollinate it. This plant can truly be described as a jewel of the desert!! Photo below showing a top view from Paul Cumbleton.

Attachments:

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Ryan

Joined: 5/31/2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 322

Posted: Oct/03/2009 10:59 AM PST

You win. Nice job.

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aimee

Joined: 6/21/2008
Location: Indiana
Posts: 788

Posted: Oct/03/2009 3:31 PM PST

Boys, PLEASE, it's a game.

The "Flowers" are white, or at least the petals, which most people refer to as the flower. The anthers are yellow with pollen. The filaments holding up the anthers are orange, and the ovaries at the bottom are blue - but surrounding all of those, in each picture, at the very bottom of the flower are white petals or actually it looks more like part of the calyx.

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told2b

Joined: 9/12/2006
Location: Northern, NJ
Posts: 3822

Posted: Oct/03/2009 11:31 PM PST

Thank you, Aimee.

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