Puzzles

[Lvandelft]

Oops, I better should not have written the above message   Cannot turn it back 

[TheOnionMan]

I extend the hint: Neither Lesley nor Mark will ever need that plant...nor will Oleg, Maggi or me, but to a lesser extent...

Zephirine, I think the clue mentioning "Lesley nor Mark" led at least one forumist (and myself) to believe I was that Mark, as opposed to Mark S (of Ireland), thus the allium guess.  Good puzzle though, this one really had me scratching my head.

[Lesley Cox]

An excellent puzzle indeed, and no, there are no snakes in New Zealand - maybe in zoos? -except of the politician kind of course. We all have those. No matter how many clues there were, I wouldn't have got it; I can't even do the crossword in the local paper. BUT - I do have Eryngium yuccifolium! . In my defence, it hasn't flowered yet.

[zephirine]

Oops...I had not realized there were several "Marks" here, lol...
And replied too fast too, gentlemen...please forgive me, I'm impressed, and not familiar enough with all the brilliant people here!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, however! Thank you!
Lesley, we also have that sort of rattlesnakes, yes, I hear their sound every time I turn the radio or TV on! A few others at the office too, lol!  
While we are talking about snakes..what about this menacing hooded Cobra? Will you recognize it too?  

[Lvandelft]

And replied too fast too, gentlemen...please forgive me,

Done! 

My first and only thought is Lamium orvala Zephirine.

[zephirine]

First shot! Perfect answer!
Congratulations!
Yes, it is Lamium orvala. It always surprises me, the size of the flowers compared to other lamiums...

[Graham Catlow]

I really like this thread so I thought I would have a go myself. This is probably easy, so how quickly can you get it.
I hope the photo is large enough.

Graham

[Maggi Young]

My goodness, Graham... that's an easy one right enough... obviously a Zoob from the planet Zorb.... I can clearly see his little tentacles........

[Graham Catlow]

My goodness, Graham... that's an easy one right enough... obviously a Zoob from the planet Zorb.... I can clearly see his little tentacles........

Darn it! Maggi you're really good I thought it might take a couple of guesses
Graham

[Ragged Robin]

It certainly does look alien 

[TheOnionMan]

Looks vaguely like Cosmos atrosanguinea, or else, it's a Zoob from the planet Zorb.

[arisaema]

Must be a Veratrum, maybe V. formosanum or V. nigrum.

[TheOnionMan]

Must be a Veratrum, maybe V. formosanum or V. nigrum.

Arisaema, I think you're on the right track, just googled Veratrum nigrum and it does indeed look like the right thing, or its a zoob.
http://www.ogrodkroton.pl/TSI/zdjecia/veratrum_nigrum.jpg

Incidentally Maggi, my two girls used to have a whole set of zoobs, an ingenious construction type toy, probably made in China instead of the planet Zorb (costs are cheaper).
http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&biw=1271&bih=828&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=zoob&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

[Graham Catlow]

Arisaema,
Spot on first time Well done.

Veratrum nigrum. Another of my dark coloured flowers.

Graham

[fleurbleue]

Very amazing plant... and picture