What Are These Plants, Please?

Can anyone identify these two plants?

They both appeared naturally in our garden.

The first two are the same plant (approx 2-3 feet high)

The third pinky-purple one is long and thin, growing about 2 feet tall, and can have a few long shoots coming from the same plant. We've one growing in soil, one in some sand and one out of a wall (seen in the background on our picture).

I'd be really grateful if anyone could help.

Thanks, Jez

 

Hi jez, The first one looks to me like Cyperus Alternifolius, I grow it in my pond, could be wrong though.
The other one looks to me like some kind of Linaria, definately from the snapdragon type of plants.
Maybe someone else can narrow it down a bit for you.

 

Thanks, Pete. I've had a look at images on the net, but I can't find identical pictures to the ones posted.

However, I must admit they are very similar, especially the Cyperus.

Does your Cyperus have intricate parts, as shown on the second photograph (apologies, I don't know the name of these "parts"!)

By the way, the first plant grows on "dry" ground - we don't have a pond.

[ 08. September 2005, 04:01 PM: Message edited by: jezcollinge ]

 

The Cyperus does have similar parts, yes that is really what led me to that conclusion, its the "flowers" for want of a better name.
I'll take a pic of mine when I can and post it, must admit the leaves on yours look longer, and it does also grow pretty well on ordinary soil if its not too dry.

 

Just had another look and it could be that it is a sedge of some kind not necessarily, cyperus.

 

First one looks like Cyperus glaber, http://www.plantazia-nursery.co.uk/product_detail.asp?id=113&cat_id=6
2nd one is Linaria purpurea http://www.aphotoflora.com/Linaria%20purpurea01-07-04.jpg

 

Thanks pete and Bayleaf.

The Cyperus Glaber does look right to me.

Still unsure re the Linaria Purpurea: the flowers look very similar, but the general appearance is bulkier and the flowers slightly more vibrant than the ones in our garden.

 

Who knows, on different soil plus a bit of natural variation when grown from seed, sometimes plants can look different.

 

Some years ago a friend with a passion for geology and plantology(!) undertook a study on a plot of land where a some terraced house had been demolished. She noted how the plants invaded the area and when they colonised new parts of the plot.

But the most curious was when she found hydbrids of plants from opposite ends of the plot appearing at the centre. Wouldn't really have noticed myself but for her enthusiasm. The British Museum were really interested and came down to verify her work which was eventually listed in their archives.

 

Cyperus Glaber is definitely the correct name for the plant shown in the first two pictures.

Still not sure of the exact name for the second plant - a colleague of mine mentioned bee orchid, but I'm not convinced at all.

Can anyone help, please?

 

http://www.beyond.fr/flora/orchidbee.html
I dont think so Jez

 

Please can somebody give me a definite name for the plant with the pinkish flowers?

It has been growing in various places - on walls, in soil, and on sand. It grows to about 2ft, and has long narrow leaves.

It must grow in various parts of the country, as I've seen it in Lancashire, as well as south Devon.

Hope someone can help. Thanks

 

Hi Jez
Check out this link, http://www.calhortsociety.org/seed-exchange/seed-exchange-2005/images-se2005/Linaria-x-pupurea.jpg the more you describe it the more it sounds like linaria, I have it in my garden, the flowers in the link I first posted do indeed look quite "meaty" - I assume because it was an extreme close up. The markings, and colourings can be quite variable, because as you've noticed it does seed (& therefore hybridise) quite freely.
Here is a link to a common spotted orchid (I can see why your fried thought it might be an orchid, the markings are similar, but the flower form is different, and they have broad, large leaves at the base) http://www.archiemiles.co.uk/Images/Flowers/am_Common%20spotted%20orchid.jpg
and to a bee orchid http://www.ophrysphotography.co.uk/pagesorchidshowcase/beeorchid.htm (you can see how it got its name!). Will try to download a pic of one(on its last legs!) in my garden - Hope this helps!

 

I have Cyperus alternifolius in my pond and it spreads its seeds all over the garden, I spend more yime yanking seedlings of this plant than any other when weeding.

This year I have attempted to irradicate it pulling up the adult plants wherever they are to prevent it seeding.

Hopefully your cyperus isn't as invasive.

[ 14. October 2005, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: Rich ]

 

Hola Jez, Its a Pink toadflax [ Linaria purpurea ]self seeds and is supposed to be easy to grow[ mind I've heard that one before]