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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: nepeta on July 30, 2006, 21:31:45

Title: Plant ID please
Post by: nepeta on July 30, 2006, 21:31:45
Does anybody what this is?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/nepeta/IMAG0105.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/nepeta/IMAG0106.jpg)

It comes up every year but whether it is perennial or seeds itself each year I don't know.
It grows about 2 - 3 ft tall, it started off in my neighbours garden, growing in a crack between the house and the path so it obviously doesn't need a lot of water or good soil. I liked it so she gave me some seeds, they are quite large and black a bit like morning glory seeds, and they grow very easily.
We don't really know if we are cultivating a plant or a weed!!

Would really like to know what it is, whatever it is I think it's rather pretty and easy to grow as it tolerates the heat and drought well.
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: valmarg on July 30, 2006, 22:40:52
Hm, looks a bit like mirabilis jalapa, aka Marvel of Peru.
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: Palustris on July 31, 2006, 11:13:32
For comparison look here
http://www.terrapin-gardens.com/annuals/photos/mirabilis-jalapa-2-m.jpg
Title: Re: Plant ID please
Post by: nepeta on July 31, 2006, 21:27:32
Yes, I'm sure that is it. Apparently it was a popular garden plant in Victorian times. It is also poisonous, both seeds and plant are an irritant to the skin.

Thank you both for your identifications.