Lost & Found... Or was this plant yours???

Over the years, I have found plants in the most unusual places. All were volunteers. Some distributed by the wind and most probably spread by the birds.

I have some I am really fond of and wanted to say if this came from you, thank you!

This was found last summer in a ditch on the road we travel daily and have for almost 30 years. As there was a nice stand of these, I dug a few up. I was glad I did when the mowing crews wiped them out a week later. Perhaps the mowers is why I never saw them bloom before.

I was able to ID this as a Carolina Lily ~ Lilium michauxii.

I wonder how it gets spread... Birds, squirrels, mice? If the start of this came from your house, thank you!

Beautiful and fragrant... the Carolina Lily

The Carolina lily was a learning lesson also. I potted the bulbs and learned about scales on the lilies. I propagated the scales that fell off the bulbs and actually have some tiny plants that are growing from them.

Another vagabond that has shown up here is the moss verbena. This is a delightful yet durable ground cover plant. I am sure someone had it growing and the seeds were generously shared via nature. This plant was found growing in an old cow lot amongst the normal Verbena. Its' fernlike foliage caught my attention. I dug it last spring. It is now planted in clay soil in afternoon sun with little or no water and no protest from this plant. I am in love with it and want to say, if it came from your garden, Thank you!

Moss Verbena ~ Verbena tenuisecta

This delightful wildflower was found on a lot in town. It narrowly missed being mowed and when I discovered it, I watched it carefully awaiting seeds. It is the wistfully beautiful Basketflower ~ Centaurea If it came from your area, I owe you my gratitude for sharing!

Now, this delightful spring bloomer has appeared in my yard for the past few years. The patch of blooms is growing. I finally asked for assistance in IDing it and Frostweed determined it is Carolina Spring Beauty ~Claytonia caroliniana. Again, I marvel at how it ended up here but want to thank whoever was kind enough to share.
A "spring beauty" for sure!

Do you have any "lost or found" plants that you enjoy? You can join in saying thanks here, perhaps the owner will know they have a good home!

I am not sure if I can follow in the spirit of "lost" plants. I do remember most of the plants that were given to me.I am always happy when a stray seed from johnny jump up pops up, even if it is in my lawn.

My friend, Tina, gave me this purple oxalis. I have it in lots of places now.

Thanks Sheila, for the lamb's ear.

Pod, I really like the idea of this thread. I wish I had relevant plants to add.
I hope some of the four nerve daisy seeds get carried off to you.

Pod, I've got some of that moss verbena growing next to the foundation of our newly built house too! Thanks for IDing it for me. I've been admiring it for a few weeks now. It's in a location exactly like yours, clay soil (mixed with the caliche they use around foundations) in full sun on the side of the house I hadn't even begun to landscape, much less water.

To whoever gave me my moss verbena, thank you!

Pod, are the grassy leaves around your "Carolina Spring Beauty" the leaves of the plant? If so, I believe it's actually Claytonia virginica - "Spring Beauty". I saw the same stuff last week in Oklahoma and when I saw your picture, I was excited that you had identified it for me. :) I then googled it and this page says that the leaves of c. virginica are grass like and c. caroliniana are actually oval. http://www.mounet.com/~jdye/spring.html

Also, it's more likely c. virginica because it looks like C. virginica is found here http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Texas&statefips=48&symbol=CLVI3, but C. caroliniana is not http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CLCA

You know, I guess I didn't really expect any response on this thread and later thought I should have put it in my diary. But even if you know who you got it from, I think the idea of a willing volunteer plant is the same.

I love the purple Oxalis. I'd not seen that one before. Does your lambs ear bloom? The one I was given doesn't but I love the feel when the leaves are rubbed and the fragrance of it on the fingers.

Peep ~ I love that Verbena... check out this link. http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Verbena_tenuisecta.html It makes a beautiful ground cover.

Sweezel ~ thanks for catching that! I will need to change my journal ID. These blooms are shortlived but delightful. This is a photo of a single plant. Yes to the leaves as blades of grass, two to a plant. Thanks for the links ~ off to tour them shortly...

Sweezel, I believe you are right, I had not paid attention to the leaves, good catch.

I have had lamb's ear before and it has bloomed, although I really don't like the way that looks. I love that fuzzy leaf. If you decide to add purple oxalis in your shade garden, keep me in mind as a supplier,

This delightful vine is usually high in the trees but while clearing an space in the yard, this vine got stripped from a tree. On Monday, while working out there, I was startled to see these blooms on ground level!

Bignonia capreolata ~ Cross-Vine