October 2010 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Diane Whitehead]

It's Grindelia integrifolia.

I just did a Google search and am amazed at how many species there are.
They cover almost all of North America.

[Stephenb]

I've tried Grindelia robusta, integrifolia and nana here. They always attract attention due to the sticky "chewing gum" flowers, particularly kids are fascinated by these plants. The pictures below show plants from robusta seed. However, I can't see that much difference with what I have as integrifolia. Anyone have a Grindelia key handy? Unfortunately, I've never had one last longer than 3 years. Is this their nature or is it my cool climate?

[fleurbleue]

Hello Diane,
 They did well, and they are now little plants in pots waiting for becoming stronger before going in the garden 
Thanks again 

[YT]

This morning I spotted a potted Viola eizanensis is flowering. I have grown this spring flowering species more than a decade and this is the first time to see the autumn flower of it at my place. I feel the climate is quite unusual here lately.

[cohan]

It's Grindelia integrifolia.

I just did a Google search and am amazed at how many species there are.
They cover almost all of North America.

G squarrosa (i haven't looked at any more complete flora to see if there are other sp in alberta) from the one map i have seen,  is supposed to cover most of alberta, except for an odd band going diagonally from mid south west to mid north east..i am in that band...lol

[Lori S.]

Here's a key to Grindelia:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=114086

G. squarrosa is the only one that occurs in Alberta.

[mark smyth]

Fantastic buckwheat Cohan, particularly the first leaf form.... love the gray & pink coloration, worth growing these for the cushions alone, as well as the fall foliage color which is dramatic in some species.

Is your buckwheat the same as buckwheat found in bird food?

[mark smyth]

I should have Googled it first  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat

[Stephenb]

Here's a key to Grindelia:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=114086

G. squarrosa is the only one that occurs in Alberta.

Thanks, Lori. Thought I'd checked FoA before and didn't find it. Is the Eflora being added to or is this all we're likely to get?

Anyway, I find no G. robusta (I've received seed of this name 2 or 3 times).

IPNI lists it, but one of the listings gives it as synonymous with G. rubriflora (also not mentioned in FoA).

The USDA Plants Database has G. camporum as synonymous: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=grindelia+robusta&mode=sciname. However, this is also not in FoA.

So, is there yet another synonym?

[Gerdk]

This morning I spotted a potted Viola eizanensis is flowering. I have grown this spring flowering species more than a decade and this is the first time to see the autumn flower of it at my place. I feel the climate is quite unusual here lately.

Hi Tatsuo,
Nice plant, interesting colour! Viola eizanensis is an easy growing species here, although flowers are very rare, even in spring. Seed is built frequently but only from cleistogamic flowers.

Gerd

[cohan]

I should have Googled it first  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat

 

[zephirine]

Hi Tatsuo,
Nice plant, interesting colour! Viola eizanensis is an easy growing species here, although flowers are very rare, even in spring. Seed is built frequently but only from cleistogamic flowers.
Gerd

Viola eizanensis has bloomed in April in 2009 and last spring for me. And I had a few seed pods on it whent I bought it in 2008.
Interesting, that cleistogamic feature!
Do you know if Viola 'Silver Samourai' behaves similarly? I don't know its exact parentage, though some say it could have some V. koreana origin...
And their foliage alone is well worth cultivating them.
Anyway, thanks for the info, Gerd!

[zephirine]

Post scriptum! After reading Tatsuo's and Gerd's messages, I went to see my potted V. Eizanensis, just out of curiosity...
Wow! It shows a few buds, and even two (empty) seed pods! ..
Double thanks to both of you, I hadn't paid attention these days. but I'll be waiting for the blooms now! (hoping the cold won't prevent them from opening...)

[Armin]

Great pictures from everybody.

Another curiosity -Anemone coronaria 'De Caen' in flower.

[Gerdk]

Hi Tatsuo,
Nice plant, interesting colour! Viola eizanensis is an easy growing species here, although flowers are very rare, even in spring. Seed is built frequently but only from cleistogamic flowers.
Gerd

Viola eizanensis has bloomed in April in 2009 and last spring for me. And I had a few seed pods on it whent I bought it in 2008.
Interesting, that cleistogamic feature!
Do you know if Viola 'Silver Samourai' behaves similarly? I don't know its exact parentage, though some say it could have some V. koreana origin...
And their foliage alone is well worth cultivating them.
Anyway, thanks for the info, Gerd!

Tatsuo,
Pretty set of violet pics - enjoyed it! I don't know the parentage of 'Silver Samurai' aka 'Dancing Geisha' but it seems to be a cross between a violet with dissected and another with entire leaves - so a V. koreana (=variegata) origin within its ancestral line is possible.

Gerd