October 8 – Update. I’ve identified the mystery plant that I photographed on Monday at Green Spring Gardens. It’s a Devil’s Trumpet – datura metal – probably the Double Purple cultivar.

The third photo is not a unopened blossom – it’s a seed pod.

Devil’s Trumpets are part of the Nightshade family. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

Original post

I photographed an amazing flower at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia this morning. The problem is – I have no clue what it is. The sign under the plant read Salvia Splendens Paul – which is clearly isn’t.

The plant was about 2 feet tall – growing in full shade.

Here’s the view of the flower from above.

(c) 2008 Patty Hankins

The flower from the side. You can see the Salvia Splendens Paul in the background.

(c) 2008 Patty Hankins

What may be one of the buds that hasn’t blossomed yet. There were several of these on the plant.

(c) 2008 Patty Hankins

The flower is very unusual – I’m sure anyone who know what it is will recognize it immediately. The best way I can describe it is that it looks like an Angel’s Trumpet – but instead of hanging down from a vine – it’s growing up from the stem of the plant.

I’d really appreciate your help in identifying this flower.