Identify this plant please.

[trudileach]

This outdoor plant has green leaves which become half white towards the tip. The further up the plant the leaves are the more white area is on them, and finally where they are the smallest they are all white with a pink edging. From a distance these pinky coloured leaves can be mistaken for flowers.

Here is a photo taken this morning http://i4.tinypic.com/zx9szo.jpg

Its a real hardy thing as the cutting has survived a journey from the UK to Spain and is now firmly established and growing well here... but what is it??!

Thanks in advance for any replies (perplexed in Spain) Trudi

[gessoo]

Hi Trudi,

How about

http://www.holehirdgardens.org.uk/gallery/displayimage.php?album=7&pos=1

xx ;o)

[Thunderbird+]

I think your plant is- tradescantia Fluminensis ('maiden's bush')

[trudileach]

Hi Thunderbird, no I dont think that is what it is. Thanks Gessoo, thats the nearest yet but the photo you posted had totally different leaves (mine are shinier and smooth) and on my plant the leaves curl up to make the smallest white/pink ones look like flowers from a distance.

So the hunt goes on.. what is it??

[gessoo]

Trudi, are the smallest pink ones leaves or bracts? They look more like bracts in the photo. I shall watch this with interest.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Trudi, Like gessoo, my first thoughts was Actinedia, from your discription but on close examination of your photo, I noticed the veins of the leaves all ran parrallel to each other and did not radiate to the edges of the leaves, which I think is the main differance. I suspect the plant was perfectly hardy outside in spain but it may be wise to treat it with caution in the UK in all but the summer months. With luck your plant will flower, if it dose please send another photo for us to view, plants are classifide by their flowers ie number of petals,anthers, stamens etc, this will give the best clue of all. i'll keep an eye on this thread with great interest. Good Luck.

[gessoo]

Thunderbird+ I believe Trudi lives in Spain and the Plant originated from the UK. So it should be OK.

[trudileach]

Hi Both

Gessoo is right in saying I live in Spain, the cutting came over from the UK. To the best of my knowledge this has never flowered, the small leaves just go white with pink edges which curl and make what looks like a flower and therefore no smell. The plant this cutting came from had been hacked by the original owner into a 'cushion' shape and was a mass of green and white with pink tips.

I have posted the same question on a gardeners forum and as yet they have no idea either.. see here http://p085.ezboard.com/frealgardenersfrm41.showMessage?topicID=1868.topic

Ah well, perhaps someone will come up with something soon.

Regards from sunny Spain

Trdui

[gessoo]

Trudi, I too am beginning to think it may well be one of the thousands of different types of tradescantia. I have just been looking at them on the web and several of the outdoor vine types have variegated, shiny leaves.

Best wishes from wild and windy UK!! xx