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Arrived from a nursery in coastal Thailand as Thalia'Ruby Stem' but I think it is T. geniculata var.ruminoides. It prospered well for the first season, but sadly I was unable to keep it through the winter. Chicago Botanic Garden says: "Red-stemmed thalia, also known as alligator flag, is a large tropical aquatic plant, found in Florida, tropical America and Africa. The paddle-shaped leaves with thick stalks can grow up to 4' tall. The complex light purple flowers emerge from large purplish-green bracts all summer long and are borne atop 10-foot stalks that are deep red at the bases. In the north these plants can be grown in pools and then brought in for the winter. They can be cut back severely for use the following spring, but they must not be allowed to dry out." Charleston Aquatic and Environmental ltd.say: "Thalia geniculata ruminoides is a North American native perennial that thrives in shallow water to wet soils in full sun to part shade. This variety of Thalia stands out for its brilliant red stalks. It is a clump forming species and can reach heights up to ten feet tall. Red stemmed Thalia is adored for it very tropical look." |
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| 18th June 2006 | ||
