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Help with remembering plant name?

GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
in Plants

Hope someone can help jog my memory with this.

Years ago I saw a house plant that I think may have been a type of philodendron (or perhaps not). It had dark purple/magenta foliage, the leaves hung down distinctly.

It is driving me nuts because I hunted for an example all over the internet at the time and only found it available from a Dutch nursery, at the time the shipping costs were prohibitive (around 15 years ago). Now I think it is worth searching again for it as the cost won't be such an issue and it may be available from the newer online suppliers. 

I think there may have been a picture of it The House Plant Expert book by Dr. D. G. Hessayon though can't be sure now if that is where I saw it.

Any ideas? I'm guessing it was a pretty tall plant up to around 6 feet and grown up poles like a philodendron.

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  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,883

    Hi Gemma JF. There is a variety of Philodendron erubescens called Black Cardinal which seems to fit your description. I hope this helps. Liz

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286

    Thanks Liz, doesn't look like the one. I guess the colour might be described as burgandy, the leaves I think were heart shaped and hung down in quite a striking way.

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,883

    Good luck with tracking it down. Sorry I couldn't help. Liz

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Like this, philodendron scandens

    image

     

     

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286

    Very similar in shape Lyn, but more the colour of the plant Edd suggested 

    I've ordered a copy of the 'House Plant Expert' but I really can't remember which edition I use to have (think it got lost in a house move about ten years ago), so it may or may not be in there. image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    One of the decorative Rex-type begonias maybe?

    http://www.dibleys.com/dibleys-shop/Rex_Type_Begonias.html


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FritillaryFritillary Posts: 498

    I have a 1980 enlarged edition there is one called P. melanochryson (P. andreanum) Black Gold which has a velvety surface.Another on is P.Burgundy.image

  • FritillaryFritillary Posts: 498

    There is another plant in there called Iresine herbstii, Blood Leaf or Beefsteak Plant. Don' t know if that could be it purple leaf with pink veining and the leaves look a bit droopy.image

  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286

    I think  you have it Fritillary, P.melanochrysum Black Gold, only picture I can find on the web, but this is the one I was thinking of:

    https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQViXA_-eidtPkki3tdn5SK5L6-E4EQNbjYkidVOKMdju84lUtx

     

    Thanks so much to everyone for all the help amazing to get it from my pretty poor description image Now I just need to hunt one down. image

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    hurrah. 

    Been following this one all day.

    Well done Fritillary.

    Devon.
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