Identification: what is this dolphin like flowering plant?

stylin · #1 July 3rd, 2007, 08:21 AM

I was given a slip of this tropical looking plant from the old owners of the house my parents just moved into. She said it was called a dolphin plant but i can't find any info on it under that name.......it's folage is long green stem with flat elongated spade shaped leaves. the flower itself is about 3" long and bright orange and looks just like a dolphin. Please help as this slip is still in water rooting and i will soon have to plant it.Thanks a bunch!
PS sorry i don't have any pics at this time as it isn't flowering yet.

**Bluewing** · #2 July 3rd, 2007, 12:57 PM

Might be a Columnea billbergiana.

stylin · #3 July 3rd, 2007, 03:54 PM

i tried the net to research columnea bilbergiana and there doesn't seem to be any match out there......is there any other name for this plant?

**Bluewing** · #4 July 3rd, 2007, 07:25 PM

The spelling was wrong, it should have been spelled, columnea billbergia. Try Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)

**Michael F** · #5 July 4th, 2007, 08:24 AM

Must admit I've never seen a flowering plant that looked even remotely like this!

[NOAA public domain pic]

**Eric La Fountaine** · #6 July 4th, 2007, 09:07 AM

The only thing I can think of that would fit that description somewhat, is Schlumbergera in bud before the blossoms open.

**Ron B** · #7 July 4th, 2007, 09:09 AM

If it is the cactus it should be taken out of the water and potted up, to root after potting.

**Bluewing** · #8 July 4th, 2007, 04:29 PM

Does it look anything like this?

Dancing Dolphin Vine (Columnea 'Julia').

http://www.columbian.com/photo/photos/09_26_06.jpg

stylin · #9 July 4th, 2007, 06:07 PM

i will try to get a pic of the flower.....it really does look like an orange dolphin....really i'm not crazy

stylin · #10 July 4th, 2007, 06:08 PM

yes.....that is exactly it.....thanks.....

stylin · #11 July 4th, 2007, 06:09 PM

check out reply #8 the pic is exactly the dolphin plant i have.

**Carol Ja** · #12 July 4th, 2007, 06:10 PM

humm. I think it looks more like a shark.

stylin · #13 July 4th, 2007, 06:20 PM

how do you think it is best to deal with this now.....sorry....i am no green thumb....should this be rooting in water...and then what.....any particular pot for best results?????help... i would really like to see this plant do well and of course...bloom for me. Thanks!

**Bluewing** · #14 July 4th, 2007, 07:19 PM

Here's a link that may help some....

http://www.gesneriads.ca/gencolum.htm

Carol,

I thought the flowers looked a little sharky too, lol.

**photopro** · #15 July 5th, 2007, 07:27 AM

Hate to be technical but the name Columnea billbergia does not register on the International Plant Names Index as a valid name. I tried TROPICOS as well but that site is temporarily down. Also checked CATE and ePIC (both services of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew in London) and neither recognize that as a legitmate name.

**Michael F** · #16 July 5th, 2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Hate to be technical but the name Columnea billbergia does not register on the International Plant Names Index as a valid name

Checked in case Columnea billbergia might be a simple typo: in the IPNI search page, entering Columnea in the genus box and bil% (% = wildcard) in the species box soon confirms this is the case. The correct spelling and citation is Columnea billbergiana Beurl., Vet. Akad. Handl. Stockh. 1854 (1856) 135.

**photopro** · #17 July 5th, 2007, 10:16 AM

Good find Michael! I often do the same on TROPICOS but that site was down this morning. I rarely use IPNI, only when I can't find it on the MOBOT site.

Thanks!

**Michael F** · #18 July 5th, 2007, 10:26 AM

The strange thing is that if one puts "Columnea billbergiana" into google, one gets 81 hits, but are also asked 'Did you mean: "Columnea billbergia"'. If one then goes there, one only gets four hits, one of them this thread, and no suggestion to go back to try Columnea billbergiana.

Oh, the weirdness that google can sometimes show!

**photopro** · #19 July 5th, 2007, 10:28 AM

Fully agree! They send me in circles all the time!

stylin · #20 October 30th, 2007, 05:53 AM

hello folks.... yep its me again....thanks for all your hard work earlier to find the name of my plant.. just an update....the plant is coming along very nicely...growing and a nice green color....now.....any hints as to when this guy may flower and is there any tricks of the trade in aiding the flowering process????