Strange plant/tree with flowers in my yard, trying to identify
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Nancy Ebersole on Apr 24, 2015I saw this on the Fox news channel yesterday for Earth Day. Charlie was at the county extintion office and this plant was on there as an invasive plant. Get rid of it.Helpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 24, 2015All plants are invasive if you don't want them.. What the heck is it? LOL I am sure there are more in my yard I just haven't found them yet.Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 24, 2015I think it's kind of cool. Definitely going to keep following this thread to see if anyone turns up with a name for it. I looked at the County extension in your area and checked statewide too. I can't find it in any Fla invasive species list.Helpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 24, 2015#gonfshn77302 neither could I I probably looked at 500 plants and on the fox news threads. There are many many invasive plants but I saw nothing that even vaguely resembles this. So I will be very happy when someone comes up with a name.Helpful Reply
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Sheryl Johnson on Apr 24, 2015I'm following as well! Have you noticed any strange lights in the sky!?Helpful Reply
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Kimberly Hawkins on Apr 25, 2015The info I found called it a Cathedral Bells, or Cup and Saucer plant.Helpful Reply
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Leona G on Apr 25, 2015Could you post a picture of the leaves? And have you tried taking it to the Lee county extension office?Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 25, 2015That's awesome, Kimberly! Thank you for the info. I have 1 side of my property 'fenced' in wisteria, 1 side in white jasmine and as soon as I can get some of these going a 3rd side will be Cathedral Bells. Gorgeous vine.Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 25, 2015Just ordered a few dozen seeds and I can't wait to get these beauties going!Helpful Reply
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Linda on Apr 25, 2015Contact your county Florida Extension office. It is part of University of Florida and have access to info and experts, then let us all know what you find out!Helpful Reply
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Donna W on Apr 25, 2015Be careful! You could unleash the next Kudzu!Helpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 25, 2015Well it appears to be in the family of the Cup and Saucer plant, it is about 20 foot tall and the blooms hang off of vines that literally grow out of the 'Tree' they are not on an invasive list that I saw, and this yard has been neglected for 10 years prior to me moving here. If it were invasive I am sure I would have seen more of them, and I have not. The leaves are a broad leaf, even structured the bark is a soft almost textureless bark, with a taupe/grey tone. The color is absolutely not purple or white or anything within those variables, the center of the flower is very green, by the stamen it becomes a mustard gold and the actual petals of the flower are a deep burgundy. So we are on the right track, perhaps it is a mutation of this species. I am still looking as I have seen nothing with this color pallet and the flower lacks the "Saucer".. but indeed looks very much like the bell. PS I was trying to take pictures of the leaves but it has been quite overcast and even standing on a chair I can't get close to them. I am not a tall woman.Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 25, 2015Davesgarden will link you to a supplier and Park Seed carries them, among others. I wound up purchasing them here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/turtlegaby .. I've had zero issue with any seeds I ever bought thru ebay (knock on wood).Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 25, 2015According to this page there are several color variants. http://zvetki.ru/en/f346-cathedral-bells-cup-and-saucer-plant-cup-and-saucer-vine-cobaea-scandens.htmHelpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 25, 2015UPDATE for the curious onlookers, my husband actually managed to find out what this is.. and it is indeed strange, It is an African Sausage Tree. It is called the Kigelia from the family of Bignoniaceae, the unripe fruit which apparently can be quite large is poison but in Africa they make medicine and a sort of beer out of them... It is admired for the Large vivid flowers that bloom at night. ? .. so now I want the Cathedral Flowers instead LOLHelpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 25, 2015So i am up in the air about it now. It is a really cool plant, but the fruit is toxic, it has been growing here for probably 25 years, there does not seem to be a wake of dead creatures here. The seeds are edible by some tropical parrots. and the Flowers are very cool.. now I just need advise. PS the fruit can be more than a foot in length and apparently can hurt should it fall on you. OMG....Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 26, 2015Lol! So mildly toxic fruit that hangs around waiting to ripen and cause concussions.. hmmm.. Think I'm glad I bought the wrong seed. I was wondering why I couldn't find anything with those huge ropy vines/stems. I'd still keep that tree as a conversation piece if it were in my yard. At least I got a new, interesting fence line out of this discussion.Helpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on Apr 26, 2015Yes and that brings to mind that next question Lol My hub and I have decided to keep the strange precariously dangerous fruited tree as just that because it certainly is unique. For the safety of loved ones I will have to take down a palm tree that is close to it, not to worry I have 100 palm trees but yes I need to establish a fence around this curiosity to prevent humans from finding shady comfort as I don't want a 15 lb missile shaped fruit to visit their heads uninvited. LO L I was thinking a cute little picket fence with a gate and I could make a flowerbed to the outside of it? I welcome input!!!Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on Apr 26, 2015I like the picket fence idea. They seem to be attractive trees. I wonder if yours will fruit without African bats to pollinate it? Haha.. Those branches seem to attract cheetahs too, so tread lightly :)Helpful Reply
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Lee Cunningham Green on May 01, 2015the blooms are really quite interesting and pretty and seems as soon as some finish a new vine starts so that is exciting !Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on May 15, 2015Any sign of fruit yet? Would love to see that. Y'all figure out what to do about a fence yet?Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on May 16, 2015Bats are awesome critters ! All I have around here are the bug eating type. Not that they aren't fun to watch swooping around collecting mosquitoes but they are high speed. I think I'd be mesmerized by seeing any hover for nectar. If you ever get any fruit,maybe I could talk you into sending me a few seeds? May not do much in my zone but I'd love to give it a try. Looking forward to pics of your finished garden/sausage tree area.. haha..Not sure what to call it.Helpful Reply
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Gonfshn77302 on May 16, 2015Semi-toxic,exotic, attractive and capable of a knockout blow. What's not to like?Helpful Reply
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