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Seed head IDd as Hibiscus coccineus

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pamela

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Seed head IDd as Hibiscus coccineus
« on: May 07, 2012, 06:47:18 PM »
Does anyone know what these are?
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 07:44:13 PM by Alisdair »
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Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar
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oron peri

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Re: Seed head ID
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2012, 06:15:44 AM »
Pamela, a piece of a stem would be very helpfull if you have it.
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Garden Designer, Bulb man, Botanical tours guide.
Living and gardening in Tivon, Lower Galilee region, North Israel.
Min temp 5c Max 42c, around 450mm rain.

pamela

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Re: Seed head ID
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2012, 08:52:32 PM »
Oron, I dont have any more than that in the photo.  Do you have any ideas in mind?
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Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar
*

oron peri

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Re: Seed head ID
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2012, 06:49:56 AM »
Pamela, i have been thinking of an Hypericum but i can not think of one that has round fruits and round seeds....
Does it rings a bell?
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Garden Designer, Bulb man, Botanical tours guide.
Living and gardening in Tivon, Lower Galilee region, North Israel.
Min temp 5c Max 42c, around 450mm rain.

pamela

  • Sr. Member
Re: Seed head ID
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2012, 02:00:45 PM »
No its not Hypericum, I am pretty sure.  I would only collect it if I found it unusual. I just can't remember where I got it. Anyway, I shall plant it and see what happens!  Thanks again Oron. 
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Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar

pamela

  • Sr. Member
Re: Seed head ID
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2012, 07:28:21 PM »
A friend who is an MGS member of the Costa Blanca identified it as Hibiscus coccineus. Thanks
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Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar
*

Alisdair

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Re: Seed head ID
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2012, 07:43:24 PM »
It's worth noting that taxonomists are now saying that Hibiscus coccineus is a synonym of Malvaviscus arboreus - though I would imagine that most gardeners would insist that it is very different from the Malvaviscus!
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Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society

pamela

  • Sr. Member
Re: Seed head IDd as Hibiscus coccineus
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2012, 07:57:11 PM »
Are you sure Alisdair? It is very different indeed.
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Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar
*

Alisdair

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Re: Seed head IDd as Hibiscus coccineus
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2012, 07:56:05 AM »
Exactly, Pamela!
The name change was authenticated by the Flora of China editorial committee (basically a US/China joint effort), and has been endorsed first by the Tropicos taxonomy team (Missouri) in 2007, and since then by Kew. It does seem odd on the face of it, in that the plant's natural distribution is confined to the wetlands of south-eastern US, but it is cultivated in China (as in so many other places).
Hibiscus coccineus as a name dates from 1788, so is probably invalid anyway as it was preceded by Linnaeus's name for your plant - he had called it Hibiscus malvaviscus in 1753, and it's that taxon which is now thought of as Malvaviscus arboreus.
I'm sure this particular taxonomic story will continue to unfold!
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Alisdair Aird
Gardens in SE England (Sussex); also coastal Southern Greece, and (in a very small way) South West France; MGS member (and former president); vice chairman RHS Lily Group, past chairman Cyclamen Society

pamela

  • Sr. Member
Re: Seed head IDd as Hibiscus coccineus
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2012, 02:38:03 PM »
Thanks so much for this info Alisdair.  There is always confusion with taxonomy......
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Jávea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Min temp 5c max temp 38c  Rainfall 550 mm 

"Who passes by sees the leaves;
 Who asks, sees the roots."
     - Charcoal Seller, Madagascar
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