This unusual plant is a perennial, but is mostly grown as an annual. It is very easy to grow from seed if sown in February to March. It will already flower in May or June of that same year and will continue flowering till September or October, producing many seed berries which contain 50-100 seeds each. This large seed production (and the risk of it becoming a weed) is also known in another plant, Talinum paniculata. When ripe, the berries turn brown and open on the bottom to release the seed, unlike Talinums which explode, scattering the seed over wide areas.
Lopezia can grow in poor soils where it will remain a reasonably small plant. In richer soils, it will grow much larger, up to a meter high. It is native to Mexico, Salvador and Guatemala and belongs to the family Onagraceae. There are seven species known in these countries, all fairly similar in growth and requirements. L. racemosa is commonly known as the mosquito flower because the flowers resemble a mosquito flying at you.
February 21, 2014 at 9:08 pm
I will have a look if there is enough seed to sell
January 28, 2014 at 9:26 pm
This is a great little plant and for many years it selfseeded in my garden in the east Midlands, UK. Although not showy, it is a pretty plant and well worth growing. In poor soil it flowers at just 15cm high but in better conditions it reached 60cm and was quite bushy and almost woody at the base by the end of the season.
February 21, 2014 at 12:03 am
I would really like to raise this plant which is shown on the second picture. Can you sell its seeds or roots of Racemosa?
February 26, 2014 at 9:39 pm
Hello. Sorry for the delay – i have been away. I do not have seeds available and I am working in Ireland away from home anyway. But seeds are available from Thompson and Morgan. http://www.thompson-morgan.com/flowers/flower-seeds/hardy-annual-seeds/lopezia-cordata-pretty-rose/7251TM