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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2010 23:35:36 GMT
I don't have the slightest idea what they are either.
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Post by myrt on Nov 10, 2010 21:28:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2010 21:39:41 GMT
Sounds exactly like it to me. Those devious Chinese are everywhere!
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Post by tod2 on Nov 11, 2010 6:53:32 GMT
Myrt - that is very interesting because we have a totally different Pride of India tree! I will have to wait until they bloom and hope you can identify it for me Here the tree produces gorgeous plumes of pink and some trees lilac flowers.
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Post by myrt on Nov 11, 2010 7:05:02 GMT
Really? Oh...........why is everything so confusing? And there was me thinking how clever I was! ;D
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Post by myrt on Nov 11, 2010 7:08:21 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Nov 11, 2010 7:31:07 GMT
Tod2 here Myrt! Yes! that is the tree - thanks for being so quick and accurate
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 11, 2010 16:19:20 GMT
Boy, these last few posts are a good illustration of how common names can be really confusing. As soon as I saw Myrt's Reply #35, I thought -- but that's a crape myrtle! Brilliant ID, Myrt, as I didn't pick up on that from Tod's description. The golden rain tree I know is related to the one Myrt IDed in Kerouac's photos. It's planted all over New Orleans: Koelreuteria bipinnataAnother site says: "Easily distinquished from Koelreuteria paniculata since Koelreuteria bipinnata has more upright branches and has twice compound leaves, whereas Koelreuteria paniculata has single pinnate compound leaves. "
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2010 18:50:13 GMT
no idea what these are, but they were in the flower beds (maybe just daisies or something?)
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 11, 2010 20:40:14 GMT
Those are zinnias, gone to seed and probably nipped by frost as well.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2010 21:19:15 GMT
Ah yes, zinnias! No frost in Paris yet, but we're starting to get close.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 13, 2010 15:33:14 GMT
Here is a really, really big seed "pod" ~I would love to see this, but I question the choice for surrounding landscape. Wouldn't something involving emerging seeds have been more appropriate?Full slide show of nine photos and explanations here ~ www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2030655,00.html
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Post by myrt on Nov 13, 2010 16:55:46 GMT
I love these! I've seen them before and thought they were gorgeous..I actually think the surrounding landscape makes them more powerful somehow...I think they would get lost in a more leafy, natural environment. This way their beauty stands out and makes us re-evaluate their patterns, colours and textures.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 15, 2010 14:53:09 GMT
Awesome Bixa! what a challenge to make something as huge as that.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 16, 2010 18:05:13 GMT
These are Victoriana Palm seeds bursting out of their pods- sorry about the electricity cables but these are my palms planted on the sidewalk outside my wall. The Beautiful queen palm also known as Syagrus romanzoffiana is a fast growing tree that reaches heights of 45 feet or more, so don’t plant them under power lines like I accidently did, transplanting these palm tree species aren’t easy. You are more likely to see them in warmer states such as Florida and Arizona and can withstand temperatures as low as 25 degrees F. which makes it as one of the cold hardy palm trees. Vey popular California Palm Trees found everywhere. Origination The Queen Palm Tree was originally found in Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina and most of South America. This palm is a fovorite and can be seen everywhere landscapes in many places around the world! How to Distinguish a Queen Palm tree These palm tree types get attention for its spectacular clusters of fruits that hang so gracefully cascading down these palm tree varieties. About November or so, the green fruit clusters appear.
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Post by myrt on Nov 16, 2010 18:10:56 GMT
Good grief! They are amazing....what happens to them? Are they a food source for birds? Or do they just fall on the ground and rot? I've never seen anything like that.....aren't plants fabulous??
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Post by tod2 on Nov 17, 2010 12:04:07 GMT
Myrt - I call these palms Victoriana but I see they are called QUEEN Palms and I am pretty sure I read they were associated with Queen Victoria. When the seed pod explodes ( believe me it gives an huge 'crack' sound) at the same time the most beautiful tresses of minute little creamy yellow flowers are revealed. The bees arrive within hours and the 'tresses' seem to swell in size. The result is these round 'non-edible' dates. Very fibrous little nuggets which turn orange, drop down and rot - the new palm seems to start growing from this seed.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 17, 2010 12:06:20 GMT
I have absolutely no idea what this seed is I just noticed it in my garden and took the photo. I have modified my Cycad thread with more recent photos of the cycad seed and its growth.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 17, 2010 22:14:23 GMT
Monkeys! You're growing monkeys and they start from the tails! Tod, I'm flabbergasted by the development of that cycad head and its growth in only a week. ( HERE, #24)
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Post by tod2 on Nov 18, 2010 12:55:51 GMT
You know you're right Bixa! They do look like monkey tails I have a troop of monkeys visiting regularly but they are very camera shy. Only the big male leader dares run into my house and make a grab at the bananas in the fruit bowl.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 18, 2010 16:20:45 GMT
The cycad seeds are now being used as a home for worms who seem to be spinning a web:
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Post by myrt on Nov 19, 2010 21:15:09 GMT
That's a fabulous picture....what are they all, do you know? And is it just one Cycad seed head being colonised, or lots of them? How very interesting - I hope you're around with a camera when they turn into, erm whatever!
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 19, 2010 22:09:58 GMT
Wow -- monkeys in the house?! I LOVE that you live somewhere so exotic and come here to tell about it.
Those look like some kind of webworm or tent caterpillars, Tod. Do you have those in SA? Fantastic photo.
Speaking of which, your avatar is wonderful, Myrt!
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Post by tod2 on Nov 20, 2010 6:51:32 GMT
Myrt - just that one seed head. The other cycads have not put any out. No birds come to peck at the seed head but maybe are picking off the worms Bixa - I haven't seen catterpillars like the photos in the link you gave - these ones on the cycad seem to make a very weak attempt at spinning and there is no sign of any kind of web now. One or two worms still around this morning. There seems to be specks of poo or maybe eggs ? I'm keeping an eye on developments!
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Post by myrt on Nov 20, 2010 8:47:40 GMT
I look forward to the developments, Tod2 - I hope you manage to be there at the right time! Tricky though..... ;D
Thanks for noticing the avatar, Bixa! A triumph of techyness (for me) ;D I love unfolding flowers possibly more than the full blown blooms - it amused me that the glorious and bountiful sunflower could look so menacing at that stage of opening...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2010 12:10:11 GMT
I always knew that sunflowers were fundamentally evil. Anything that spends so much time turning around cannot be trusted.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 21, 2010 14:49:16 GMT
Ahh ~~ the much-vaunted French logic raises its face to the sun! ( )
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 22, 2010 8:38:27 GMT
I finally have seed heads to contribute! These are weeds near my house. The yellow pods grow somewhat like cucumbers. I asked a neighbor lady, and she says they aren't good for anything. They're good for pictures. ;D
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 22, 2010 18:57:40 GMT
They're interesting aren't they? I love the little prickly balls....erm.....wossat then?
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Post by tod2 on Nov 23, 2010 6:21:49 GMT
Oh they're lovely Bixa! Such pretty little star-shaped clusters. You're a very clever 'seed head' finder
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