Volunteer Shrimp Plant ( Justicia brandegeana)

[injunjoe]

I was out pulling weeds for my girls (bantam chickens) when I saw this baby. The leaves look just like a weed I let grow a little before I pull it.
Kind of like weed farming. Not everyday someone speaks of weed shortage!

Don't mind the sand all over it I just moved it and was way to excited to wait for a picture! I have found a few nice size plants of it. It grows roots were ever it lays on the ground! I will have tons of these soon.

This flower is just getting started, it will be very pretty soon.

Eby was happy when I came in and told her of my findings.
She said " I hope there Prawns" I answered "No dear more like Pop Corn Shrimp"

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

YAY! Very nice!!! Don't you love surprises like that??

 

[lesa]

I love finding nature surprises!! I planted johnny jump ups, years ago and am always pleased when I find one coming up! I find them very far from the original source! Enjoy your shrimp plant!

 

[Greensage45]

Hey Joe,

What a great find. There is another relative to your Justicia that you might want to find. It too roots well.

It is called Jacobina or Flamingo flower

Awesome plants!

Ron

 

[injunjoe]

Hey Joe,

What a great find. There is another relative to your Justicia that you might want to find. It too roots well.

It is called Jacobina or Flamingo flower


Awesome plants!

Ron

That is cool how different a family of plants can evolve into such a diverse group of different looking flowers.

I thought I knew my weeds but now I must step back and rethink about looking a bit closer at the wild, and bird delivered seedlings!

Joe

 

[Greensage45]

Here is another relative: Golden Shrimp Plant

So I bet the garden is going to be ultra colorful in no time at all. I say one more season and you wont be able to see any more soil.

I bet your eyes dart from side to side when you are driving about; there must be so many specimen species out there, that just driving a mile is like going through the list a-z.

I do hope you are able to identify some other Shrimp plants. They make fabulous additions.

There is another plant you might like. It is the Candlestick Plant.

It is a big legume and makes a monster flower spike.

Here are some pics Candlestick Plants

Very cool and interesting plants in your neck of the woods!

Ron

 

[injunjoe]

The Golden Shrimp Plant I have had in the past. I think a hedge of red and yellow would look nice. A nice low boarder some were here?

I have seen the Candlestick Plant, but have yet to get any.
I do see the Washingtonia Palm there in that shot! Fantastic trees.

 

[Greensage45]

I have grown the Candlestick here by seed. It gets quite big, but then it freezes before it reaches tall enough to bloom. Bummer!

mine got about 4ft tall and still did not bloom.

Ron

I used to also have a Jacobina that survived two winters here, but then I moved it to another location like a dummy!