Question Can anyone help me identify what's in these pots?

Mandy Onderwater

Super Moderator
Staff member
Premium Member
GOLD
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Messages
2,347
Location
Mackay area, QLD Australia
Climate
Sub-Tropical
I was gifted a number of these large terracotta pots, but I have been trying to figure out what's in these.
I was told that the ones on the left was aloe vera, but it looks wildly different from the aloe vera I have already got growing.
So before I use any, I figured I'd check if anyone here knows. (Also, what is the plant growing with it, the twiggy plant).

The one on the right only had a couple of leaves, but I've left the pots in a near full-sun location so whatever it is, it's likely bolted. Any ideas?
20220814_233315.jpg
 

AndrewB

Valued Member
Premium Member
GOLD
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Messages
423
Location
Albury, NSW
Climate
Temperate (all seasons)
Left is Aloe Vera, just a different variety. The twiggy bits are possibly old aloe vera flowers.

Right looks like white stem pak choy, you can still use the leaves/stem to eat, or let it go & collect the seeds, they are a quick grower, seedling to harvest in 4-6 weeks.
 

JP 1983

Valued Member
Premium Member
GOLD
Joined
Jun 30, 2021
Messages
433
Climate
Temperate (all seasons)
The "twiggy plants" are not aloe flower stalks. They are Psilotum nudum, whisk ferns. The Latin literally translates as "bare naked" because of those ancient plants' 'minimalist' features. No leaves or flowers, some species of Psilotales (order), like this one, have no roots even! They typically parasitise another plant they grow upon or with (no risk to host plant). They grow wild in the sandstone cracks in front of the Sydney Opera House:

800px-Psilotum_nudum_Sydney_Opera_House.JPG


And I concur with AndrewB on the IDs of the other two.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom