Houseplant ID (driving me crazy!)

11 years ago

Hello there, I have been trying to identify this plant for nearly a year now and cannot seem to find anything remotely close on any key or identifier site. I would appreciate it so much if someone can solve this wee mystery I have on my hands.

I have received this plant as a clipping from my neighbor a little over a year ago, and that neighbor had no clue what it was. He was told it was strawberry, this this is in no way a strawberry plant. This plant is strictly a houseplant, and has never been outside. When it is a by a cold window, it is not very happy. It doesn't seem to be that woody, so I guess it would be more on the herbaceous side. It grows really well from clippings, and propagates fine in water. It doesn't climb, has no vines, but doesn't grow straight up; it kinda does the sprawling thing and hangs over stuff. The leaves are asymmetrical, and sometimes has a bit of a red tint to it (as seen in the picture). It has a little bit a hair on it, but it is in no way fuzzy. I've only seen it produce flowers, no fruit or seeds. The flowers are small and white and seem to pop up randomly, pertaining to no season and what not. It's hard to see but it looks like it has a perigynous ovary? I'm not sure. The petals are not radial symmetrical, perhaps bilateral? With 5 petals (this flower was kinda mangled, I've seen them with 4). The lower white part of the flower, what I assume is the ovary since it's like a little oval lump just there has these petal like fringes sticking off of it that run lengthwise.

I'm so sorry for such a horrible description and pictures, haha. Perhaps if people who know more about plants ask more questions I can find better words.

Thank you! I hope this helps >.

This post was edited by Olivia821 on Thu, Feb 21, 13 at 18:33

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Comments (11)

Olivia821
Original Author
11 years ago
For some reason, I can't post the picture. Here's another attempt.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
well?? .. hello ....

pic is a bit fuzzy.. but isnt it a begonia???

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: look anything like any of these????
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carol23_gw
11 years ago
It looks like a Begonia.
Olivia821
Original Author
11 years ago
Omg is it? I've been searching for so long for an answer T-T I haven't been able to find a picture of a begonia that matched my plant. Perhaps mine has a defect?
linda0913
11 years ago
There is a "Strawberry Begonia", Saxifraga stolonifera, but there are a lot of varieties, most of them with more variegated leaves. But not all. And that might be where the "strawberry' thing came from. Check out the picture halfway down.

Here is a link that might be useful: Saxifraga stolonifera
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
It looks like a Begonia semperflorens-cultorum to me. Also called wax begonia. It's just not happy and is barely recognizable. This is one of the most common of bedding plants. If grown inside, it needs plenty of light.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Agreed, especially in Canada during winter. Doesn't mind getting fairly dry. It may make seeds but you wouldn't know the dust is actually seeds. When a pod turns brown, open it on a white piece of paper. If there's orangish brown dust inside, that's seeds.
kaliaman
11 years ago
its a begonia that needs more light and pinching back.
flora_uk
11 years ago
I agree with rhizo - etiolated Begonia semperflorens. Not a successful house plant unless you can provide a lot more light.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
it should root rather freely in water ...

take a 3 inch cutting from the end.. put in fresh water for a week ...

and if and when you get it going.. cut more.. make more..

AND THROW THAT OLD THING AWAY .... lol

there are plants you can FORCE to winter over.. even though they are NOT houseplants ...

but come late winter.. its time to make some new ones.. and let the tortured one pass ...

and after potting up your rootlings... harden them off outdoors.. and plant them in mother earth.. where they belong..

and then.. start over again.. next fall ...

NEVER FORGET.. rooting a piece is KEEPING THE PLANT ... dont fret over recycling the old one ... its natures way

ken
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
As is the case almost every time you say that same old thing, Ken, I disagree.