----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2003 9:54
PM
Subject: Is this Verbascum
Creticum??
This plant pops up occasionally within the gardening
network and I have been asked a number of times for ID, so now starting to bug
me. Verbascum creticum as been documented as naturalising around old
homesteads in the south west of the state (Western Australia) so thought this
might be a possibility.
The verbascum in question has green crinkley
leaves with wavy edges. It produces a single spike of flowers up to 2m
(about 6ft 6) with large 2 inch flowers, a very soft lemon colour. Upper
petals are a shade darker. The flowers have a burgundy eye and protruding
curved stamens. The plant appears to have weed potential like a lot of
this species in producing large no of seeds. However seems to die out in
any garden I have seen it, possible due to the fact that seeds appear to take
at least two years to germinate and six months to ripen on the
plant.
Have photo but am technically challenged. (I noticed
subscribers have links rather than attachments)
Karen Roberts
Perth
Hills, Western Australia
Dear Karen,
Sure sounds like Verbascum
creticum. I would like to see a picture if you would like to send one to
me. V. phoeniceum naturalizes here in California, and especially up in
Oregon. I really like it, and grow it every year in my garden.
