Do you know what this odd plant is?

[Steve Mac]

It came up in my ground orchids, I don't think that it is associated with their roots but I'm not sure.

[Eric in Orlando]

Psilotum nudum, Whisk Fern.

[Steve Mac]

Thanks Eric, I have no idea how I got it.

[Eric in Orlando]

It is native throughout the tropics and subtropics. It spreads easily by wind carried spores, usually grows as an epiphyte among rocks or on deep furrowed barked trees and on the bases of palm fronds. It is amongst the most primitive of all the vascular plants. I think they are fascinating and have one growing in a big orchid pot filled with lava rock and orchid bark mix. They are the only vascular plant that do not have true leaves or roots.

[Butch]

Interesting plant... http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2019/4/25/the-wacky-world-of-whisk-ferns

I have them pop up at the base of a potted bottle palm on occasion.... I had no idea what it was... Beneficial or troublesome?... I guess, a little of each...

 

Butch

[Steve Mac]

Beneficial or troublesome?   Well, a Rose can be a weed in a Carnation garden, But I will keep my unusual Psilotum nudum. :-) 

[Silas_Sancona]

Don't think id call them troublesome either since they don't effect any plants they grow near / share a container with. Trouble for me is wondering why i didn't pick up a couple while still in Florida. Pretty sure i've pulled these out of pots while weeding, thinking they were a form or Witch's Broom..  No biggie though. Supposedly becoming common across S. Cal atm ( Inaturalist data ).  Very cool morphology.

[NOT A TA]

Psilotum

  On 12/13/2019 at 1:35 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Don't think id call them troublesome either since they don't effect any plants they grow near / share a container with. Trouble for me is wondering why i didn't pick up a couple while still in Florida. Pretty sure i've pulled these out of pots while weeding, thinking they were a form or Witch's Broom..  No biggie though. Supposedly becoming common across S. Cal atm ( Inaturalist data ).  Very cool morphology.

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I get them here and find them occasionally growing in cracks in the concrete where I have container ranches. We sold Cytisus in nurseries when I lived up North and the Psilotum reminded me of them when I first noticed them. Looked around today for some  Psilotum to take a pic of after seeing this thread this morning but didn't find any.

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 12/13/2019 at 1:51 AM, NOT A TA said:

Psilotum

I get them here and find them occasionally growing in cracks in the concrete where I have container ranches. We sold Cytisus in nurseries when I lived up North and the Psilotum reminded me of them when I first noticed them. Looked around today for some  Psilotum to take a pic of after seeing this thread this morning but didn't find any.

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Cytisus and related "Scotch Brooms" used to be quite popular in California landscaping until it became known that most become hard to control super weeds when they escape. Still see a couple of the tamer.. supposedly sterile cultivars in nurseries but have fallen out of favor. Don't doubt i have seeds i collected long time ago in a box somewhere.

[Butch]

  

 

This is one I spotted growing at the base of a  hibiscus... At least I think it's the same thing....

 

Butch