Fasciated Aloe marlothii flower stem On an A. marlothii with especially attractive aqua-blue foliage:
A Garden Buddy and I were driving around enjoying local gardens, when we spotted an Aloe marlothii with an unusual flower stem. "Gall mite", Garden Buddy remarked. I wanted to yell, "No, fasciation!" but had forgotten the term for "fasciation", which is sometimes referred to as "cresting". Stopping for a closer look proved it was indeed fasciation. I've seen fasciation in flowers before--it's not uncommon in Verbascum, for instance--but never in an Aloe flower. (And no, Mr. Spellcheck, I don't mean fascination.)
From the other side. The Aloe was just tall enough to make getting a photo of the other side somewhat difficult:
The garden was also home to a very nice Kumara plicatilis. Most of the garden, though, was neglected: it needed weeding. Small clumping succulent--I've seen it before but could not ID it--not Aeonium lindleyi, is it? No...something else. Tidy little mounds.
The delights you can find in your own neighborhood, just by looking.
Three fine delights back at home, A Hippeastrum papilio flower stem has opened:
So too have the flowers on little baby knee-high Magnolia laevifolia. Tiny or not, they have a heavenly fragrance--superior to M. grandiflora to this nose, which is a fan of M. grandiflora. I wish I could get a photo of their fragrance to save and savor. Wowzah!Right up there with orange blossom, which is also filling the air with sweet heaven here this week. Enjoying the fruit just as much.
All the while, keeping blue and yellow in mind. It's heart wrenching.
I'm hoping for a "photo with fragrance" innovation. I'm not familiar with Magnolia blossom scent, but I know citrus blossoms would knock your sock off.
ReplyDeleteThe Aloe marlothii flower is indeed both Fasciated and fascinating! I don't think I ever saw one before.
I hope someone would ID the small clumping succulent. We love tidy little mounds...
Fragrance is important in my garden. Aromatherapy or something, the real thing, not the stuff in a bottle or in a candle.
DeleteYep, here's to tidy mound plants! :)
The photo at the top is fabulous, reminds me of an art deco motif. Your Magnolia laevifolia are a few weeks ahead of mine, aren't those little flowers just perfect?
ReplyDeleteYou know my favorite part of this post? That you used the words "A Garden Buddy and I were driving around enjoying local gardens"... sounds almost normal. Pre-COVID living. I am happy for you.
The "normal" flower stems look like they are all staring at the fasciated one.
DeleteIt was nice to be out, talking about plants! It works well to find a friend with about the same CCL (Covid Caution Level).
ReplyDeleteA fabulous example of fasciation! You have excellent spotting skills. My Senna bicapsularis has often produced fasciated stems but the only succulent I've noticed performing that trick is an Echeveria, 'Blue Atoll' I think, although it no longer looks like one.
ReplyDeleteSenna? Interesting.
DeleteMy fasciation is Euphorbia c. wulfenii..the same plant has at least one or two fasciated stems every year. But I have to say your Aloe beats it !
ReplyDeleteHmm. I grew that Euphorbia some time ago, and yes I think I got a few fasciated stems. Pulled it and all the seedlings because it was starting to reseed too much.
DeleteI was floored to see it on an Aloe flower stem. Must have been that lavish December rain.
I've never seen a fasciated Aloe marlothii before. What a rare find! It's a beautiful specimen all around, actually!
ReplyDeleteI do think the aeonium is Aeonium lindleyi, probably the cultivar 'Irish Bouquet'.
That hippeastrum! Mine won't bloom until later in the spring, but easily one of my favorite flowers.
Yes a very beautiful Aloe specimen with that blue foliage.
DeleteThink so on the Aeonium? Thanks. Very nice looking little plant, and all the clumps of it seemed quite happy.