Having seen a couple of recent postings (including Dudleya, my namesake), I send this photograph that my wife took last week in a San Jose garden. What is it and is it indigenous to that area or would you call it an invasive species?
Ron,
After much searching, I realise that there is a lot more to this identification than meets the eye. At first I was very doubtful of the "arboreum atropurpurem" designation, but I eventually found a photo with several similarities. So maybe.
I also found a French site with a "spathulatum" (taken in April) that also had several similarities; so I am torn.
I wonder, is it that the Aeonium is easily hybridized or is it that soil and watering conditions can have such a great effect on this species?
Daniel,
Sorry for the delay in writing. My wife would be delighted if you used the photo; and I would especially, as it would mean that it had been identified satisfactorily.
By the way, I am the Michael who dared to question which side was up on the Woodwardia Orientalis. Thanks for the link showing both sides; fascinating, and I will try not to question your writings again.
UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Burnaby, BC
Posts: 6,929
Re: Unknown
Michael - hold on a moment there! Please continue to "dare" - it's a bit scary sometimes for me to write accounts (particularly since it is only self-edited), so I rely on readers to step up to the plate and call me on it when I'm not correct. As it is, your question on the Woodwardia led to extra information for everyone who reads it and checks out the link - there's no harm whatsoever with that, and in fact should be encouraged.
