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Calochortus lyallii
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Penstemon confertus
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Monotropa uniflora
August 18, 2006 : Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail'
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Keywords: Polygonaceae | Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail' | 025954-0513-1987
The epithet amplexicaulis means “stem-clasping”, describing (in this case) the attachment of the leaves to the stem. You can see what is meant by amplexicaulis via the secondary photograph in the Kemper Center link below or via this image of Asclepias amplexicaulis.
'Firetail' red bistort or mountain fleece is an RHS Award of Garden Merit plant. For gardening info about this plant, visit the MBG's Kemper Center for Home Gardening.
Botany resource link: The blooming of Amorphophallus titanum at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, suggested by Karen V, a BPotD commenter. Thanks, Karen!
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at August 18, 2006 2:33 AM
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Posted by: Bobbie at August 18, 2006 4:22 AM
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail' - Z5 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail' - Z5-8 - A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell, Cole, Zuk
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail' - Z4-7 - Kemper Center for Home Gardening
Posted by: Beverley at August 18, 2006 8:27 PM
From Blooms Online:
"Fleece Flower belongs to what is commonly known as the Smartweed Family which has some unsavory cousins such as the lawn and garden weeds, Knotweed and Lady's Thumb. Recently, the genus of this plant has changed to Persicaria from the original Polygonum. Perhaps there is an attempt to distance the fine ornamental plants of this family from their less popular relatives. "
Now, to an herbalist, smartweeds are not considered unsavory. On the contrary, the flowers add a crunch to salads and the leaves, consumed when young, add a peppermint like to merely lettuce-like salad green. Haven't tried the cultivar though.
Posted by: Karen Vaughan, L.Ac. at August 19, 2006 10:47 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Daniel, I am reminded ever so often to voice my appreciation of your daily botanical photos and comment. I am just an ordinary person and I have learned so much over the year(s) I have been visiting here. Thank you!