January 2015 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Jupiter]

Thanks Leon, it's only in bud but already I like it. Should get more photogenic as the flower spike develops.

[Paul T]

Loving your work, Folks.  Marcus, Susan's artwork is stunning.  Something I've always wanted to learn, and may do one of these years.  I love that sort of detail.  ;-)

Jamus, I second that comment on the Lysimachia.  Is that Asarina known by another name?  Completely escapes me at the moment.... something-or-other barclayana springs to mind or something like that?  I'm assuming an old name?  I think I have it.... rather fine climbing stems, seeds freely, nice leaves?  I have it wander through a few things out the front if that is the one.  I just love it.  No longer where it was originally planted (on an arch) but rather coming up through a couple of shrubs.  :-D

[rob krejzl]

That's Maurandya scandens to you, stranger.

[Paul T]

Formerly known as Maurandya barclayana?  Thanks Rob! (and Hello!!  )

[rob krejzl]

Jamus is in a better position to say whether it's scandens or barclayana Paul. They are supposed to be separate, but since they're in cultivation?

Hello to you too; told you I wasn't quite dead.

[Paul T]

OK, so there are 2 closely related species then.  Mine I think has a slightly more flared lip than in the pic..... I'll see if I can rustle up a pic at some point for comparison.

Thanks. 

[rob krejzl]

If you look at the Wikipedia entry you'll see that the species have different colours and therefore different pollinators (barclayana attracting bees, the other hummingbirds). Since they cross when grown together, the name seems only a notional one.

[Jupiter]

Paul I've never known a plant with a more perplexing plethora of names! Self seeds freely is right, I have it coming up everywhere; cracks between paving, in rock walls, in garden beds. A seed capsule accidentally ended up in my pocket on a walk at Adelaide botanic gardens about 10 years ago and I grew it in our previous garden. It came to the current garden as a stowaway in a pot and has made itself at home here. It certainly gets around.

I just did a little googling and I think Maurandya scandens is the correct name (as of Jan2015!). Scandens seems to be the glossy plant I have, finer and hairless stems and leaves. I have another plant which I bought seed as Maurandya barclayana but that doesn't look right to me. It's very pubescent, a larger plant and more of a trailing habit with no real twining allowing it to climb (Does anyone know Maurandya wislizeni??) I grew it in a hanging basket last summer and it over wintered and is flowering again now, but I'm not that impressed with it so it's just kicking around in the nursery looking bedraggled. Here are some quick snaps of both species I have.

[Jupiter]

A little research turned up Lophospermum erubescens as a good match for my pink Maurandya. The one I had was from seed labelled 'Magic Dragon', a hybrid I believe. I was lead to believe it was red, which is why I was underwhelmed when it flowered. I was also hoping for a climber with the same vigor as Maurandya scandens.

[Paul T]

Pics 3 and 4 are definitely the same (or at least very similar without me going out and having a look) to what I have.  I had thought mine was a little more hirsute, but could be wrong.  I haven't found it particularly free seeding as yet, just had a couple come up.  Lost my main original plant, so wondering whether it is not that long lived anyway?

[Jupiter]

Short lived, seems to dislike cold winters, but self seeds freely so it's always around. I like it. I will have seeds a plenty soon for anyone who would like some.

[rob krejzl]

Does anyone know Maurandya wislizeni?

Googling under the synonym Epixiphium wislizeni produces a few images that seem genuine.

[Jupiter]

Epixiphium? Not another bl***y genus?! THis group of plants needs sorting out.

[Paul T]

And I checked, mine has the same leaves as yours.... my memory of hirsute was incorrect.

[Hillview croconut]

Hi Guys,
Apologies for breaking the flow. I am just going to pop up few pictures of what's flowering today.

I am a bit woolly on the names of a couple so bare with me.

Lilium Greishbach hybrid - Bloody beautiful!
Lilium auratum hybrid with whatever - Mmmmm
Lilium sulphureum - not the hot lemoms
A bumblebee having a "bath" in heaven

 Cheers, Marcus