Re: run-away plants
Sean,
Uh-oh, now not only have you probably opened up a new fascinating series
of stories, but have also raised another taxonomy question. The plant I
have been (semi-)confidently calling I. acuminata now has a second
alias. Sunset Book (1995 edition) lists I. leari as a synonym, and now
you come up with I. indica. Here I am, struggling to keep a home-grown
data base under control, and now what am I to do?? (we need more of
those little 'emoticons' for semi-facetiously presented yet gently
serious questions.)
Luckily for us here in the land of winter frost, this vine behaves as a
deciduous herbaceous perennial, retreating to the rootstock each winter.
It is only necessary to keep new large crowns from developing along the
horizontal, non-twining invasion runners. We love it.
I really would like to know which name is 'most' correct, and why.
Thanks,
Gary Matson, Far Northern California
"Sean A. O'Hara" wrote:
>
> I'm sure I've told this one before, but I imagine its been a
> long time.
>
> Anyway, many years ago, close to downtown Berkeley, here in the
> East Bay of California, there was an old victorian house in the
> middle of a large lot. There was almost nothing growing on the
> whole property (just weed grasses and other low herbage) except
> for a marvelous Perennial Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica, syn I.
> acuminata). This rampant vine had completely engulfed the 3
> storey house to it's very tip, weaving in and out of the
> gingerbread trim, cloaking windows and siding alike. The amazing
> flowers covered the whole mess, brilliant blue-violet fading to
> red-violet! The house itself had only the merest remnants of
> paint, revealing a wondefully weathered gray wood. It was so
> excentric and charming, many people would stop and photograph it.
> I enjoyed walking past is on my way to work.
>
> One day, the old man who live a hermit-like existence in this
> abode died, and the house was placed on the market 'as-is' by
> the family. Someone bought it, tore out the Ipomoea, restored
> and painted the house respectibly tasteful colors and added
> pretty lace curtains on the windows, colorful flowers in the
> front beds.
>
> Now, people pass right by, not noticing the house for a minute.
>
> (couldn't resist)
> Sean O.
>
> Sean A. O'Hara sean.ohara@poboxes.com
> h o r t u l u s a p t u s 710 Jean Street
> 'a garden suited to its purpose' Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
