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Plant Identity Mystery

Roger36Roger36 Posts: 4
in The potting shed
Went to Madeira in February, and brought back a variety of plants, bulbs and tubers. Amongst them was a bag of three or four small bulbs, labelled as "St Jonh Flower" (sic). Ever a gambler, I popped them in a small pot and waited to see what might grow. You can see from the attached photo what has transpired. I'm none the wiser, but I am sure that somebody out there will recognise this distinctive leaf. Can someone please embarrass me and tell me it's something very common?

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Look a little bit like gladioli to me ! Don't think they are though.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    edited May 2018
    Gladiolus murielae?

    https://mycityisagarden.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/gladiolus-murielae-peacock-orchid/
    Utah, USA.
  • Roger36Roger36 Posts: 4
    Blue Onion, looks like you're on the money for this one! I saw the Gladioli-type features after AnniD's post, but the corm size is of course very different. The picture of the young plants in your link is, however, an absolute dead ringer for my plants. Looks like I have stumbled across an interesting and unusual plant, which is growing well in my greenhouse, and has just started to throw up some additional stems. Many thanks!
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    MIL went to Spain or some such place and came back with a bunch of orchid bulbs/corms for me, as I had quite a collection of Phalaenopsis at the time.  The foliage reminded me exactly of what I was trying to grow.  Don't know what variety I had.. but it put me on the 'orchid' track.   ;) 
    Utah, USA.
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