Alluaudia (Alluaudia humbertii)

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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) May 31, 2010

Alluaudia
Alluaudia humbertii

new spring foliage

Post #7847180

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CactusJordi El Cajon, CA May 31, 2010

Geoff, that is Alluaudia comosa!

Jordi

Post #7847619

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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) May 31, 2010

WEll, for some reason the LA arboretum doesn't think so. Here is the rest of the plant... they got it wrong?

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CactusJordi El Cajon, CA May 31, 2010

I didn't know the LA arboretum makes as many labeling mistakes than HBG :-)

Show them DIDIEREACEA 'Cacti of the Old World' by G. Rowley!

A. comosa usually has 1 leave below each spine, while A. humbertii has a pair of leafs below each spine.

Even the photo of the entire plant proofs that it is A. humbertii, because A. comosa is know for its 'flat-topped crown'

Jordi

Post #7847663

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CactusJordi El Cajon, CA May 31, 2010

I meant of course 'one leaf' and a 'pair of leaves'.

Jordi

Post #7847665

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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) Jun 01, 2010

Wait, are you saying now that it IS humbertii, or comosa?

Post #7848135

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CactusJordi El Cajon, CA Jun 01, 2010

Oh, right you are. I shouldn't have referred to the photo of the entire plant, which actually grows rather like an A. humbertii.
But I think the number of leaves below each spine is more reliable to ID the plant than its growth shape as the latter might easily be influenced by growing conditions.

Jordi, now somehow being at a loss.