"Family Jewels Tree"- Hoya relative

This is a new Asclepias to me. If you look at the flowers you can really see how closely Aslepias are related to Hoyas. This one, Asclepias physocarpa, came from a Norcal grower, Annie's Annuals, that are always introducing interesting new plants. Annie also has a good sense of humour- this is a quote from her catalog entry for this plant:

"Asclepias physocarpa
“Family Jewels Tree”

Hee Hee! Ho Ho! This small tree-like perennial from Jamaica & South America is sure to inspire giggles. It’s in the Milkweed family, and grows 4-6’ tall. I’ve never really noticed the flowers, so they are probably insignificant. It’s the seed pods that are well, uh, . . . “showy.” "

This is turning into a small tree in my garden. Sadly, no fragrance, even at night.

A close-up of a seed pod.

Nature is not shy ... everything but us humans just let it all hang out!
Gorgeous plant! I really like the blooms too.
Ann

haha - I looked at the picture before reading the post, and guess what it made me think of...

LOVE it!!!!

Too funny Mark. I have ordered from Annie's too and she does have some really nice plants!

Blessings,
Awanda

Also makes a good night-light, or a stand in for a 50's sci-fi production- the Brain that Ate Chicago.

Crack Kills
:-)

Funny, funny, LOL!!!

Larry

Oh my gosh, that is too funny!

That IS funny. I have seen those emaisl that come around every so often with the mutated veggies that are in some pretty weird and sometimes "suggestive" shapes, but I have never seen a plant that has seed pods so funny. Ha Ha.
Marcy

ROFLMBO.... Too darn funny.... Crack Kills ....... The night light is, well, very creative..

As Ann pointed out to me, there is a classic A/C D/C song that says it all! And for those of you who would never admit to listening to classic 80's hairbands......well, never mind. HA!

S

Oldies and Moldies...my kinda music!!!

Ok Mark thanks to this post, I broke down and ordered this plant:-).

Blessings,
Awanda

Okay, i've been trying since this thread began to not touch it with a 10ft pole but i've got to get my 2 cents in on this one as well!!!

Here's my new name for this plant.

Botanical name--asclepias physocarpa
Common name-- family jewels tree
Variety name--Yung Hung Lo

dmichael

David, commendations on your self control withholding comment up to this point!! Perhaps the 10 ft pole to which you refer is more appropriate for this post than you realize......It may go very well with the hairy green ba.... I mean seed pods on Mark's plant?

I guess I am a little slower than most on this forum, but the only part I got was the common name, and the variety name.......perhaps that is all I really need to know?

S

This message was edited Aug 21, 2007 10:00 AM

This message was edited Aug 21, 2007 4:26 PM

Dmichael619,

ROTFLMBO, brilliant!!!!

Larry

Hahahahaha ... too funny Dmichael

I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has grown any of these from seed. I planted some about a month ago and they are about 4-5" high. I don't have much information on how long they take to mature, or how to care for them. If anyone can help, let me know. Thanks! Jennifer : )

And I have a few seeds if anyone is interested : )

Jennifer - for postage?

I'l send them. Let me see how many I have left. It may be only 2-3 but I had 100% germination and they grow like mad!

Thanks, I'm in the addy exchange