Re: Unknown plant
- Subject: Re: Unknown plant
- From: Tony and Moira Ryan t*@xtra.co.nz
- Date: Mon, 03 Feb 2003 20:00:31 +1300
Catherine Ratner wrote:
>
> Hi, Ryans,
>
> My best guess is Montanoa. There are quite a few species, though none that
> I know of sound anything like "netal" which suggests "natal" (Africa).
> Montanoas are from Mexico and Central America, have big soft leaves which
> can be aromatic. Cathy
Hi Catherine
I have never seen a Motanoa myself, but the description in Botanica
(large evergreen daisy bushes) certainly sounds promising.
The reason I don't know them is I am sure largely because they are too
tender for this district. If I lived in Auckland or places north they
might be familiar.
I don't know how many species are in cultivation, but the three
mentioned by Botanica have the specific names "arborescens, bipinnafida
and grandiflora", which seem to have no conceivable connection with
"netal". There is of course the legitimate species name "metal" (as in
datura metal, but by no stretch of imagination could _its_ flowers be
described as daisy-like).
We really need a description of the habit and foliage before we can even
make educated guesses I think.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ. Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
