Newsletter Articles
Strange and Unusual Plants
By Richard Flowers, ACCNP-Green Thumb Nursery-Ventura
What makes a plant strange or unusual? Is it because they do not look like your normal everyday plants? Maybe the plants have an interesting character, form, or attribute? It takes a special person to hunt for that certain out of the ordinary plant. Who knows there could be a botanical wonder you have your eye on or a living gift for someone special for the upcoming holidays. I want to focus on a few plants that are truly unique and different.
The Lady Slipper is an interesting succulent. It appears to almost be leafless under certain circumstances. It looks almost like a bamboo with canes or stocks growing like a grove. These stems are slender, cylindrical with widely spaced leaves that are up to 4 inches long. The so called flowers are unique, producing a coral- red “flower” bracts (actually modified leaves) for a good portion of the year. Its odd “flowers” are sandwiched between rounded, reddish bracts. The Lady slipper has specialized flowering structures called cyathia, including not only the flowers themselves but also a cup enclosing them, plus glands and appendages. The cyathia are green to pale yellow, but the large rounded bracts are more conspicuous. In other words the “flower” is coral, red to orange and green to pale yellow appearing at the tips of the stem looking somewhat like a lady slipper orchid hence the common name – Lady Slipper.
My neighbor has a Lady Slipper growing amongst other succulents planted in beautiful ceramic containers bought from her favorite Green Thumb Nursery. These plants do well in a partially shaded area in hot Ojai. They do equally well in the ground too. Closer to the coast it can take more sun. Lady Slipper is easy to grow, tough, and hardy. It is botanically known as Pedilanthus bracteatus and resembles an Ocotillo cactus, growing with the same shape ( strikingly vertical) however the Lady Slipper does not have thorns. Growing up to 8′ tall and leaves appear with new growth, but drop off when mature, making it leafless to reveal its elegant smooth green stems. During the cold winter it loses its leaves. Lady Slipper is a water-wise plant, but tolerates regular garden watering. Being a member of the Euphorbia family, the milky sap is irritating, so handle with caution.
Another Euphorbia is so strange and unusual it looks like it has bizarre growth arising out from the top that looks like a crown or a fan shaped structure. This growth that emerges is actually grafted and it is pieced together with another Euphorbia species. The name of this strange plant is known as Elks Horn because it looks like an elks horn with a green thick stem and crinkled cabbage-like leaves. Botanically Elks horn is named Euphorbia lacteaCristata, This selection comes in different colors ranging from white, green, and pink. It’s always so interesting to look and marvel at its unusual “ flowers”. Its a conversational piece you could put on the table. Elk Horn is a quirky plant that is easy to care for, can survive relatively long periods without water, and can become an exceptionally beautiful, “wow” effect to any garden.
How cool is this, having a cactus that is has iridescent/ glowing bright colored growth attached to its top. It looks out of this world. It is called Moon Cactus and is another grafted selection which comes in a variety of colors such as red, pink, orange, and yellow. Where the colorful top part is carefully attached on to the bottom part.
The botanical name is a mouthful, Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Hibotan. The summer-dormant plant requires partial shade rather than full sun exposure for good growth. The funnel/bell-shaped cacti grow to a height of 1 foot with a fast growth rate. The Moon Cactus does splendid planted in containers amongst other low growing cactus and succulents where it can be viewed on a patio table adding much needed color to green leafed plants. Try pairing Elks Horn and Moon Cactus together for an added benefit. These colorful and low-maintenance creations are developed where two different cactus species that are joined together to create a unique and beautiful plant.
Check out this whacky, cool, and interesting and not so ordinary plant that spirals, and twists. Aptly named, Spiral Cactus but technically called Cereus forbesii ‘spiralis’, Spiral Cactus is fast- growing, low-maintenance, attractive, and with age develops multiple columnar stems that grow in an upright spiral, forming a candelabra effect’ from its base that grows up to 16.5 feet tall. Because it is different, unusually customers flock to this plant and buy them for their collection. Of course I could not hesitate to grab one for myself. I am waiting until it reaches its full potential of height, form, and the extraordinary blooms that is supposed to have later on in its life, a magnificent flower display of large funnel-form flowers that blossom in late spring and early summer comprising of stunning waxy blooms that have pinkish-white to red-colored petals and open up only at night but linger no longer than 24 hours afterwards.
Air Plants are unusual, bizarre looking, and grow in a rosette form. The leaves vary depending on the variety of air plant whether they would be: grey, green, narrow, wide, fuzzy or smooth, they are all unique. Some air plants have small leaves while others may have larger leaves, and still others my hang. Many people collect these type of plants. Air plants also known as Tillandsias and are in the Bromeliad family just like the Pineapple. They are unusual because in their natural habitat of tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America, these epiphytic plants will cling to branches and trunks of trees, shrubs, or plants and other support structures, like rocks or buildings. They do not need soil to grow, however they use branches and other plants as support structures to cling to, all the while (as the name suggests) extracting the nutrients they need from the air around them through special scale-like structures on their leaves. Air Plants roots are used solely for attachment – rather than absorbing nutrients or water. Because they are out of their natural environment, it may be beneficial to supplement fertilizer once a month. The easiest way to do this is to soak them in a diluted fertilizer solution for a few minutes. Any water-soluble houseplant fertilizer will do, though it is possible to buy specific fertilizers formulated for bromeliads and air plants. Air Plants are popular as houseplants among beginners and expert gardeners for their hardy nature and low-maintenance growth. The fact that air plants thrive without soil offers lots of options for their use in decorating. Displaying them is really where most of the fun comes in. One popular option includes attaching them to bark or cork with wire or glue or displaying them in dishes of decorative pebbles. Air plants can be grown on essentially any surface that dries quickly that makes it easy to water. I have a few bromeliad air plants tucked in between other tropical plants hanging in a shaded area outside, they are right at home where they are in my Ojai garden. When watering them I prefer to mist them very thoroughly especially during the warmer weather or when it is dry and windy. During the winter they require less water as apposed to the summer.
The Fabian Aralia and Ming Aralia are two of the most unique and interesting plants that we have as a house plant. The stump and trunk looks like someone’s hands coming out of the soil with the fingers representing branches in the trunk and branches almost look as if they’re dead but sprouting out amongst them are the leaves. These houseplants would definitely make a great desk plant or bonsai for visual interest.
The Ming Aralia (Polyscias fruticosa ) is a tropical evergreen shrub or short tree that is erect and upright that is prized for its oriental look with fern-like, finely cut, leathery foliage. The leaves cling to the wood in clumps on short, speckled stems. The stumps on this plant are really older wood with new tops grown out on them, giving the plants that ancient aspect. The bark is dark brown and smooth. The trunk often looks gnarled, bumpy, and resembles something that would be prehistoric looking. Ming Aralia is perfect in corners as an architectural accent or on a shady porch.
The Fabain Aralia(Polyscias scutellaria ‘Fabian) ‘like that of the Ming Aralia also grows from a stump. The Fabian Aralia features a tree-like trunk and green, veiny leaves that sometimes sport a purple or maroon on the undersides. This resilient species makes for a funky indoor plant. It requires only low-key care and is perfect for beginners and seasoned plant parents alike. If you are looking to get your zen on and bring a bit of nature’s best inside, the Aralia Fabian Stump is sure to do the trick.
Butchers Broom is often under used, not commonly seen, and don’t see this one around much. Botanically known as Ruscus hypoglossum– Butchers Broom is a great shade loving plant that requires low water. What makes it out of the ordinary is that center of the leaf what looks like little purple flowers arising from the center is actually cladodes (pseudo leaves) that are flattened stems. This plant grows 2-3’ tall and 3-4’ wide . You can plant Butchers Broom in the darkest, driest spot in your garden, the place where nothing else grows. It is a broadleaf, evergreen shrub that is tolerant to a wide variety of conditions from sun, shade, low water to regular water, and adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you’re seeking something heat and humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant. How many plants can you think of that has all these redeeming qualities, unusual isn’t it? I have a few problem areas in my landscape maybe I should treat myself to Christmas gift and try Butchers Broom, I bet it would do great.
How bizarre is this,? A large, heavy vine, that towers above, growing through the trees up to the sky, sending aerial roots from the trunk and vines all the way down to the ground. These aerial roots look like tentacles, hands or fingers that are creeping its way out of the trunk and onto the ground below to bring up much needed moisture and nutrients. These long stems grows upward which attach to nearby branches and tree trunks. The tough roots grow downward from the thick stem and will root if they touch the ground. What is the name of this plant? It is called Monstera. Mature plants develop fenestrations (holes in the leaves) theoretically are a way of allowing high winds to pass through the large leaves without tearing them. Because the mature leaves have holes it makes the plants leaves look like Swiss cheese. That is how it received one of its common names – Swiss Cheese Plant because the leaves resemble Swiss Cheese. The leaves are huge, dissected , lobed, and dark green.
Swiss Cheese Plant is also called Monstera (the names are used interchangeably) Swiss Cheese Plant is native from Mexico to Panama and can grow to 70 feet tall, although in our area it is considerably smaller, 6 to 15 feet. It prefers a warm temperature of 60 to 85 degrees F, moderate brightness but not direct sunlight, and prefers high humidity. In its native habitat it starts its life as a terrestrial plant, turning epiphytic once it comes into contact with a sturdy tree so it can climb. While It typically does not produce flowers or fruits in interior landscapes, it can produce an edible fruit that is said to taste like a cross between a banana and pineapple.
Monstera is a popular house plant. Being a vine, sturdy support is necessary to prevent the stems from breaking. It can even be grown outside in a shaded area. Where I live I have a couple of these majestic plants growing amongst other tropicals. Becoming popular are the unique variegated forms of Monstera which need more sunlight than their darker green counterparts. In my personal garden I also have a variegated Monstera, it is doing fabulous in a protected area away form summer heat and winter freezing temperatures just like its green form.
Whether you are looking for the everyday plant or something unique and unusual, your favorite Green Thumb Nursery may just be the place for you to check out. The holidays are around the corner, perhaps you know someone who wants to be surprised by giving them a living treasure. Give the gift that keeps on giving- plants. Remember to comeback often as our inventory changes frequently, you never know what you might find.
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