Pretty in Purple

Where are your sister's plants growing L 0f L - they are not in Britain I presume. Its a very fine looking plant. If it grows in a UK type climate, it must grow in the UK. Could it be Galega orientalis? The leaves look somewhat similar. I am growing some from seed at present - though I have never seen it, except for my 2 inch high seedlings.

http://www.fao.org/AG/AGP/AGPC/doc/gallery/pictures/galega.htm

 

PeterS, they are in North Germany ... my sister is Kedi-Gato. As I've never seen the plant in real life, except for my three seedlings, I can't compare it to the link you've given. I've just looked it up in my book and it is very similar. I agree with you on the leaves.

No doubt K-G will be on soon and can examine for herself.

 

I only realised after my last post that she must be your sister, when I saw she was in Germany. I had wondered why another person was contributing more pictures of the same unidentified plant. :D

 

Sorry I haven't answered before now but I was waiting for the first flowers to open so I could put up a few more pics.

I think you are very likely right Peter about it being a Galega. Here are the latest pics, see what you think.

 

Mine are seedlings two inches high, so I don't expect a flower for some time, and I don't know the plant. But already my leaves look similar to yours.

I think the key is that your climate is like ours - so it must be something the grows in the UK. And that limits the number of possibilities. had it been growing in your sisters garden in Portugal - it could have been anything, and wouldn't show in any of my books.

 

What DO you mean, PeterS, "had it been growing in your sisters garden in Portugal - it could have been anything ..." ???

Actually, I'm nurturing my seedlings that have germinated from Sis and they will be put in my shadiest spot.

dendro is also working on these and without looking back can't remember if she's having success.

 

LofL, you live in such a differant climate to ours that you could have all sorts of exotic plants that we have never heard of. In the old days, I am sure, plant hunters would go out to places like Portugal - rummage through peoples back gardens then come back and astonish good Queen Bess, with their amazing new plants, who would knight them for their services. Little did she know they only went there to soak up a bit of sun! :D

 

Wow, that really is pretty! Kind of looks familiar, but I'm not at a stage of recognising and naming anything except the most common plants yet unfortunately.

 

Hi, from the buds I thought it might be Penstemon, but having just Had a look at mine, the leaves and open flowers are not right, although it could be related?

 

Nice Mike, but no, that is not it. We also have a Penstemon, a different colour though. I don't think they are related.

 

Now you can see that they are turning darker.
The lilac colour shows up better in real than here on the photos.

 

KG - I am having grave doubts about Galega. If you look at the third picture in this link http://www.fao.org/AG/AGP/AGPC/doc/gallery/pictures/galega.htm the flowers should hang down - although your leaves look right. Galega is a relative of the pea and Lupin family, the flowers should look pea like.

Your flowers look more like Gaura in this link http://www.westcountrylupins.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Gaura_37.html but other pictures of Gaura don't seem to have the same leaves as you.

 

Hi, PeterS. I'm sticking with Galega at the mo because of the leaves.

It's definitely not Gaura as I have that and just went out to double check and although the flowes are similar, the leaves are nothing like Pretty in Purple ... of which I've got three germinated! Hurray!

 

I was very happy with the Galega Peter, why did you have to find the Gaura??? I was beginning to think that not only do I have an Exotic Weed (Arum, Lords and Ladies) but now also an Exotic Cattle Fodder Plant!

Seriously, it looks like a cross between the two of them, doesn't it? The leaves of one and the flowers of the other. We'll have to look some more.

Ah, I keep forgetting to tell you, Hubby said that DIL's parents brought this plant back from a holiday in South America, Brazil I think. Don't ask if they brought seeds or a plant as I don't know. Perhaps this will help ID it for sure.

 

Kedi - Thats a key bit of information - if its from South America. It may well be not a Galega or a Gaura, but something quite different that we have never heard of. Though in that case I am surprised it is so hardy.

I have just mentioned World Seeds in another post. That claims to have seeds for 36,000 different plants from round the world. It could be any one of those.

I think you have an interesting quest there but if it's Brazilian - its a different ball court. What about putting a few facts together that could be put to a body that might know more than this forum.

Like :- Where is it growing (rough area in Germany), how cold does it get in winter - with or without snow cover. what sort of conditions is it growing in - sun/shade/wet/dry. How old is the plant, how tall does it grow, when does it flower, how long does it flower for. Does it die back in winter. etc. And any other facts you can muster.

And some specific pictures. Like a picture of the leaf by itself and its relation to other leaves. And a close up of one flower to show number and position of the male and female parts.