Unknown Ephiphyte with a weird appendage

Franj · Post by **Franj** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:06 am

Hi all

Haven't posted here in awhile. My 60 hour a week job has been more like 80 of late. But this has me fascinated and I really am not quite sure what I'm looking at.

Last spring I attended a Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society show and sale at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. My first trip there, I also spent considerable time touring their grounds. In their Epi cactus house I found this tiny chunk of orange something on the floor and asked an employee working near by if I could have it. He said sure why not, I'm only going to sweep it up and trash it anyway. I actually managed to root it but it grew incredibly slow putting out little more than an inch and a half long branch since.

It has now grown a curious appendage. It has also maintained it's marvelous orange color. Is this thing trying to flower? Or am I allready looking at the flower? Little more than an 1/8th inch across it looks unlike any flower bud I've ever seen. What do I have here?

Franj

As close as I can get.

Post by **daiv** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:22 am

Is that really growing out of the plant?

That is most unusual. Unless someone else recognizes it, you must keep us up to date on its development.

You say it was at the DBG; accidental exposure to radiation or falling into toxic waste are ruled out then.

Franj · Post by **Franj** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:09 pm

Someone on another forum suggested it might be a parasitic plant. That maybe a Tillandsia seed got hooked on the spines and germinated. Interesting idea except I don't have any Tillandsia.

Bill in SC · Post by **Bill in SC** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:10 pm

Weird to say the least! Most interesting! Do keep us updated..
BB in SC

peterb · Post by **peterb** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:04 pm

Hi- I'm going to vote for that thingy being the just-emerging leafy flower stalk. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

peterb