Rare bloom? Cast Iron plant

[lmartiny]

To give a bit of history, I planted some cast iron as part of my shaded garden plan. I was told it does not flower. Last year I thinned out a batch and potted all of the extra. (and gave away as much as I could) This time last year, I shook out the leaves on a few to repot and found these little buds that would open to resemble a ..... sunflower type shape? They bloomed at dirt level. I asked a visiting garden reporter last year and she also had no idea they bloom.
Today, I was working on some plant changes for the patio and shook leaves off a few pots of cast iron to repot and there they are again. I was actually hoping to find some and I did. Fun! So I took some photos. As they open, I'll update. (they aren't real spectacular, but still kind of cool)

I found another growth under the pony tail palm, but it doesn't much look like a bloom. Maybe a cat tail? Or a Cat us?? Maybe a BoBo??
The other shot is the cast iron in the ground. Once it spreads.

[patticake]

Those are odd... I, myself love the bo bo bloom under your ponytail palm! I think I'll look into those other "things"!

[amersault]

how neat! so those are really flowers? do they open at all or is that as far is it gets?

PS that dubious growth under the 3rd picture is absolutely adorable

[lmartiny]

As pictured they are still buds. They will open to a circular fairly rigid feeling flower. Pink/purply as I recall. In the first photo, to the far right of the pot is one that opened but not completely and it seemed wilted. It has been very dry here. I'll check it tomorrow. Didnt' get out there today!
The Bobo bloom is a real stinker. Quite the character.

[solay]

I had no idea those plants were called that nor that it bloomed. How neat.

[lmartiny]

I am going to do some googling, just have not gotten to it yet. Maybe if I get off the geek site for a few minutes....??

[patticake]

A couple of links and a paragraph about their blooms. Interesting!
They look a lot like Spathiphyllum, but are obviously different! These are Aspidistras. Post some more photos when the blooms are open! I would love to see them!

Aspidistra


This native of China is admittedly a plain-looking plant. Its slow-growing, but long-lived leaves are dark green and grow right out of the soil to a height of about 2 feet. The stems remain just below the soil surface and thrive even in a small pot of poor soil. As a member of the Lily family of plants (Liliaceae), one might expect the cast-iron plant to have showy flowers like many of its relatives (day-lilies, tulips, and hyacinths). Cast-iron plant flowers, however, are quite modest and are often overlooked even when in full bloom. A dull brown-purple in color, the one inch flowers appear at the soil surface and are often hidden by the foliage. A small, dark, one-seeded berry may follow the bloom.

Floridata: Aspidistra elatior

[lmartiny]

Thank you Patticake. That is spot on! I checked it today and it is opening. I'll take a pict when it is open.

[lmartiny]

Here is an update. I think they will open further, but thought I'd better catch em as I can.







If I recall, they open and resemble a sunflower of sorts.

[amersault]

how neat is that?? i've never seen anything like it. thanks for sharing

[bemarine]

Wow those are wierd looking. They look like eye balls as they are opening. Cool surprise!