Winding Up The Season

Time to start bringing things indoors. It's been fun watching my tropicals flourish and grow while enjoying the summer sun. Now they'll have to make due with strip lights and a crowded plant table for the winter months. I am already looking forward to spring.

(Left - Plumeria)

(Below - Madagascar Palm, Pachypodium lamerei)

Monotropa uniflora - Indian Pipe

What a cool find! While on a mountain biking ride in the woods, I came across this "fungus flower". I thought it was so interesting. It is a Monotropa uniflora, also known as Indian Pipe or Ghost Plant.

I was even more excited when I learned that it is a relatively rare occurrence. It is an herbaceous perennial, recently grouped in the same family as azaleas and rhododendrons. There's a short article about it on Wikipedia. What a wonderful little flower!

Plant Identification - ??

Does anyone know what this plant is?

I can't seem to find an identification on it anywhere. I LOVE this plant! It was at a relative's house in Lansing, MI. It is potted outdoors.
She has no clue what it is either.

Any ideas?

Billbergia

I bought this years ago as a very small plant from a catalog. It was sold to me as a Billbergia nutans, but I think this is an incorrect identification. The flowers are not the same as photos I have seen of
B. nutans (Queen's Tears).



I will try to find out what this plant actually is, but regardless - it is beautiful and impressive and I love it!



**UPDATE**
I think I have narrowed this down to a Billbergia kuhlmanii, or perhaps Billbergia zebrina. If anyone knows for sure, please advise.