Thursday, July 17, 2008

Huge Discovery!! This past weekend Brandan and myself were at a buddies house who owns loads of property. We had a few drinks and decided to go and explore the territory. For many many months now we have been searching for the infamous Coccoloba uvifera 'Albo-variegata' or the Variegated Sea Grape. This is one of the rarest forms of variegation. We must have looked at a million different Sea Grape Trees with no luck.

As we were on our adventure we could see up in the distance that there was something not right about the patch of vegetation we were approaching. To our extreme surprise it was the infamous Variegated Sea Grape ( Coccoloba uvifera 'Albo-variegata' ). We were speechless, we did it!! We found it!! This is a huge discovery for us and I want to share it with you. Here are some pictures of the new discovery.

This first picture is of me standing by the Variegated Sea Grape.




This second picture is of the regular Sea Grape next to the Variegated Sea Grape to show you the difference between the two.



And the following pictures are of the clippings I came home with. I hope you enjoy the pictures!




Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you soon!!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Niels Plougmann said...

Congrats LP! Now you know where the motherplants is so you can get more clippings if the first ones do not root. For some plants it is rare to find a variegated form - as they are most often sports - rare genetic mutations. So is this variegated form constant or is there a risk that it might sport back and become - well not variegated?

I suppose the grapes can be eaten?

Also that starfish flower cactus is really something - looks so exotic and strange.

Linda said...

That is quite the discovery

Anonymous said...

Wow what a cool discovery! I love variagated forms of foliage. They are much more interesting. The fact that it is rare makes it more exciting for you, I'm sure. That's cool that you were able to get some cuttings.

Danielles Garden said...

i love hearing the same story from two diff points of view. great find. i hope the propagation is successful and yields variegation.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is awesome! We've been wanting to get one eventually, which I think you boughtone afew months ago, right?

This is awesome that you found one in the wild!

Priscilla George said...

Wow that is so exciting. How did you know about this plant and that you would find it were you live. I wish I could discover a plant one day and maybe patent it or something. What will you be doing with the cuttings? Are you going to patent it or just keep it as your own specimen. I hope those cutting make it It looks gorgeous. Thanks for telling me about this. Sorry I haven't stopped by. I updated my google reader with your blog since I don't go on blotanical much and read up there when I just go on google reader and have it all on one page. Anyways, awesome discovery. By the way I have not forgotten about the drawing I will get to it this weekend I promise. I've been a slacker shame on me, sorry I hope you are not disappointed.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hi there .. I saw your comment on Neza's site (Rock and Roll Gardener) and I was curious about the plant you were talking about .. WOW ! it is something else .. I have never heard of it before and what a contrast to the other one .. variegated plants are a favorite of mine and that one is awesome ! Great pictures .. maybe we should all have a few drinks before looking for plants ? LOL
Joy ; )

The Intercontinental Gardener said...

Hi guys, why is the variegated sea grape so important...? just a question!

Anonymous said...

Great find- especially since this was a plant you had an eye out for. How's your tropical retreat coming? Just got back from Maui- you would be in heaven there.
shirley

Lets Plant said...

Thank you to everyone for stopping by and visiting. Neils, the grapes are delicious, especially as a jelly. Vanillalotus, no worries take your time. I am just honored that you will create a piece of artwork for me at all. Shirley, you are right. I would love to go to Maui, I bet you had the best time ever! The Intercontinental Gardener, the Variegated Sea Grape is important because it is an extremely rare to find this plant in Variegated form. It is one of the rarest forms of Variegation.

roipolloi said...

I would love to plant one in my yard in Jupiter. Please let me know how to obtain one. Thanks!

Lets Plant said...

Riopolloi, I purchased this guy at a rare plant sale. It was very expensive. I would start attending the rare plant sales and try to hunt one down.

roipolloi said...

Thanks for the suggestion. I found it online and "on sale" but it was "out of stock". I know it would do well on my block as my neighbors have sea grape trees in their yards.

Lets Plant said...

No problem. Just take care to not plant in full sun. The variegation doesn't like it. Good luck. Your neighbors will be envious!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the planting advice. I ordered a beautifully variegated sea grape online for a fair price and it's doing very well in my yard, where some other plants are struggling because of the very salty sand.

- Roy ("roipolloi")

Anonymous said...

Mine is variegated more like this one, but with only a slight amount of red in it.

http://www.calhortsociety.org/Plant_Forums/sep2004/image/sep-2004-04.jpg

- Roy ("roipolloi")

Unknown said...

I've looked and looked for a variegated sea grape. Some at the Naples Botanical Garden. DO YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND ONE FR SALE?