What on earth is this flower?

Babette
by Babette

This was on recently purchased (virgin, never occupied) dry sandy-wooded property in Fla. We have no idea at all what it is! No clue! No shrubs or bushes around, but there's lots of pine trees, it's a partially shaded area, and only one other flower identical was located about 20-30 ft away. Not any real stem because it's so close to the ground it can't even be cut to put in a vase.Diameter is about 1 and 1/4 inches (think size of a half dollar). Single blossom, nothing else, and it is soft. Please need your help, Community of Friends - Anybody know anything or able to find this?

UNKNOWN FLOWER found on property in Florida

  19 answers
  • Cindy Cindy on Aug 09, 2020

    Hi Babette. The seeds for these two blossoms were probably delivered either by birds or wind. The fact that you could only find two of them makes me think they were not planted intentionally. You could dig them up being sure to leave root system intact and replant them somewhere more suitable. I don't know the name of them but, not knowing the name does not mean you still can't enjoy them. Good luck Babette.

    • Babette Babette on Aug 10, 2020

      wow,thanks Cindy, it never occurred to us that the actual seeds may have come from elsewhere - great mind and concept you offered; very plausible and makes sense since we cannot find anything at all about it - and others in the area are completely baffled! Hmmm.... some say it has orchid-like properties.......will keep all posted, but great suggestions offered.

  • You can search it through Google Images.

    • Babette Babette on Aug 09, 2020

      Ugh, yes We already tried and tried that for the past 2 weeks, thinking it would change to bring up something else. But, alas, it did not 'get it' at all and only showed some milkweed varieties which were very tiny and spindly, nothing even close when we poured through the many photos. It was way off, and we've ordered and grown milkweed for butterfiles for years. The property where this flower was found is raw untouched land, no road access and dry dusty. Still, that was a great idea, thanks Ann, I love google images! And I like your handle Apple Street Cottage sounds like it would be the title for a splendid book series - or movie! :)

  • Em Em on Aug 09, 2020

    Try here:

    Florida Department of Environmental Protection

    Wetland Delineation Field Guides - Plant Identification | Florida Department of Environmental Protection.Feb 26, 2018


    Wetland Delineation Field Guides - Plant Identification ...


    • Babette Babette on Aug 10, 2020

      Hi, Em. Thanks for relaying the cool site. We poked around and found it very interesting! But there isn't anything there close at all. However, even though they are wetlands info, we did notice a contact email at the bottom and jut sent a query with photo to them, just in case they may have somebody who could identify or refer elsewhere. Fingers crossed, I'll post back if anything comes up with the hunt. The soil is extremely dry and dusty, sandy and so thin it's a wonder anything grows at all! :)

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Aug 09, 2020

    Hi! It reminds me of a hibiscus, but, I 've never seen one like it. Would you consider visiting a local nursery with several good pictures of the flower? I would love to know what it is! They may be able to give you advice on propagating it, too. Good luck and stay safe!

    • See 1 previous
    • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Aug 17, 2020

      You're having quite a search with this one!

  • Babette Babette on Aug 09, 2020

    Will do - and will let you know, Cynthia. You keep healthy and safe, too! Thanks :)

  • Try taking a picture with the app Plant Snap. It usually does a good job of identifying

    • Babette Babette on Aug 10, 2020

      My stars! That sounds fascinating - and interesting. Ohm, Adrienne, it could be useful for many. But the truth is, :(we are not so trendy, lol, and have no access to apps. Wish we could, but all just plain folks (aka dinasaurs) simple with nothing more than an old clunker desktop and tiny little really-oldschool flip phones, no bells and whistles, same with all our family. So apps are way out of our reach lol,... unless there is "somebody with a willing heart" out there in the HomeTalk family that could make a smidge of time to do that, and certainly would be sooo appreciated. Sharing this app, Adrienne, is a splendid idea for those who have curious minds - and such ready resources! Thanks for relaying that info to the community of sharing..... :) Still, I am sadly at a loss.......and the hunt continues.....and yet we do know the answer is available somewhere "out there".... :) -B

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Aug 10, 2020

    Hello. If all research fails, for the best local professional advice

    I would highly suggest contacting your cooperative extension. These offices are manned by volunteer master gardeners on site there waiting to answer the communities questions that know your local situation quite well.

    Master gardeners are required to volunteer back designated hours ( plus continuing education) each year to maintain MG certification -this community outreach and education is their goal.


    If your office is closed....there Might be alternative online venues like Ask an Expert as well as emailing your local master gardeners extension office for their

    guidance.... in a non contact manner.

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      Ah, finally, Vimarhonor, I am hoping this reply that I did last week here 'works this time' and 'takes' since I noticed it did not 'show up', ugh. Your taking time to reach out meant a lot, and yes we tried that route - inclusive, since then, of a myriad of experts beyond the multi-county MG's and agents with the CE facilities. It's been almost exhausting, but quite an experience - and to save being redundant update, please do read my response to "Chloe" intended for "all of you" that I sent earlier today - and see that it did, indeed, show up. Whew! Again, thank you for your contribution much appreciated! :) __Babette

  • William William on Aug 10, 2020

    Any chance it's a mushroom fungus or fungus

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      That shows good thinking, and a creative eye - and mind! Thank you, William...... but alas, that avenue of exploration has been dismissed by the many (!) experts involved at this point. Please do read my reply to "Chole" earlier today with a comprehensive update on the status of this wild exploration - makes it easier to inform all-at-once,that is - for those who may be interested. :)

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Aug 10, 2020

    some kind of variegated plant


    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      Thank you for your suggestion, all great experiences and minds with different ideas helps others on this type of quest! I like all 3 words in the name : simple and nature and decor" - says it all, and we are on the same wave! It's not any variegated plant, however, and that criteria has been excluded by many experts who have gotten involved at high levels - and are still investigating at this point! :) You may wish to read my response in detail to "Chole" today that gives a full update to current time - and outline of the trails we have been following, many who now have 'sought us out' in the horticultural fields of expertise. ...Ah, the search continues, but we know the suggestions and observations of those such as yourself are vital - and may lead down another pathway to identifying this mystery plant, indeed!

  • Patty Patty on Aug 10, 2020

    Take this pic to your County Extension agent.

    • See 5 previous
    • Babette Babette on Aug 18, 2020

      Hi, Patty! :) Yes, thanks so much again for the kind offer you extended yesterday of the possibility of your friend's help to assist! As I replied last night (in my first response to you, of 2) oh yes that would surely be most welcome "if" she is willing to take time, by all means! And we will look forward to getting her expertise and observation ......every opinion helps so much! But as I mentioned to you before (in my reply last night), no pressure or urgency, just hope she is willing......in the meantime, we're just being patient with still nothing.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 11, 2020

    Hi there,

    Maybe a Garden Centre can help, or a good Plant Directory, Best wishes. I have never seen a plant like that before, but suggest in U.K it would be an indoor or tropical plant!

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      Ah, lucky those living in UK with all their beautiful flowers! This has been definitely recognized as a flower, but still not identified. Just has been eliminated in many categories and yet meets some of the other standards - but 'not quite fits, ; so it is still under exploration with many agencies and authority specialists in the botanical fields. You making time to respond meant a lot, with your interest of being involved to offer suggestions. We're still on the trail...... :)

  • I have never seen anything like it, but please share what it is if you find out!

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      Oh, Carrie, thanks for your interest! Yes, we too are at a loss - and you are 'in the same boat' with your 'never seen anything like it' being counted amongst all the experts. Please read my reply today to Chole, albeit lengthy, to get a full update - and I will let you know when we do 'find out', as you requested! :)

  • Sharon Sharon on Aug 11, 2020

    I would contact the state herbarium or university botony program for help in identifying. Looks to me like a succulent like a carrion flower.

    • See 3 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Aug 17, 2020

      You're welcome, I am a botanist from Canada and wildlife biologist who was responsible for collecting and contributing specimens to the Alberta provincial herbarium,

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      Thanks for your suggestion, and interest, Cheryl with making time to be helpful! I sent you a reply but it did not show, so it seems today everything is 'clicking in' and I am on a roll again with the same response, oh glory! As to the apps I explained re such to Adrienne's same suggestion here w/ reply on Aug. 10th and sadly that stands the same - beyond what you may find good update I just put to Chole here on HT a short while ago - gives a good summary, ugh! :) -B

  • Sarah Kornmiller Sarah Kornmiller on Aug 14, 2020

    I dont know if this is the same but it is first thing I could find that resembled it. Regardless it is super neat and id love to find something so unique..im obsessed w plants!

    https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a35988/skeleton-flowers/

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      thank you, Sarah, for taking time with the suggestion - as the community of sharing here on HT helps others to gain knowledge and expand their interest! However, I wrote back and it did not show up, so am trying again - and please read this journey on the reply I gave to Chloe below since that reply did take, so trying to reach you again. Yes, I liked your comments "super neat", and now I'm getting obsessed like you are - all the more since I am determined there is an answer to be found! :) _ B

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Aug 14, 2020

    I have searched and searched an can't find it, but I don't think it is a skeleton flower.

    • Babette Babette on Aug 16, 2020

      You are right, Chole- it Definitely not at all even related, according to all the experts we have involved at this point - all the multiple Mater Gardeners, a Level 5 scientist, botanist, 2 horticulturalists, several depts of conservation and wildlife, etc. our list keeps growing with many 'experts', 2 published - all from state programs, universities, etc. and even a medical college, no less - have shown great interest and gotten involved with queries, phone calls, and it is getting to be a real part-time job, lol, juggling all this. BUT skeleton flower, no, you have keen insight as it has nothing to do with 'wet' or 'rain' and it is in Florida, not Japan or a high-elevation anywhere. Too, it has been eliminated as definitely not any succulent, no fungus, not variegated plant as it's not the leaves but it is a true flower. Amazing all the criteria and leaf-shapes, botanical subcategories, on and on. Still NOTHING, ugh. I am hoping this goes through for the others interested as I have replied to every single comment but they don't show up. Keep your thinking caps on , friends - and no suggestion or idea is a dumb one, by any means! Somebody will find an answer....... - :) Babette .

  • Maura White Maura White on Aug 15, 2020

    Try using the app PlantSnap. You take a picture of the plant and they will try and ID it for you.

  • Gayle Gayle on Aug 18, 2020

    African starfish

    • Babette Babette on Aug 18, 2020

      Thank you for the suggestion, Gayle! We're open to exploring every avenue and appreciate the community of sharing and helping reach out! :).However, the myriad of experts involved (see my updates of the journey to Chole, etc. above - which saves repetition) already assured that it does not 'fit' any of the carrion family (as Sharon on HT keenly speculated previously) with their requirements of meeting criteria and that list of specifications and subcategories (leaves, stem, dimensions, scent, stamen, etc - long lists to check off and be considered, ugh!).I had failed to mention when initially showing the photo that there isn't any odor whatsoever, pleasant or unpleasant. Both single flowers (more than 20' apart from each other) are extremely soft and tender. As of this noon, our communications and the investigation continues...... so glad you have come aboard with putting on your own thinking cap! :)

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Aug 31, 2020

    beautiful flower !!! so glad I learned reading all responses