2 different kinds of Iresine Herbstii?! (PHOTOS)

[Sandy Loam]

I am confused.  Both of these plants were sold to me as "Iresine Herbstii", a plant which I discovered from another PalmTalker.  Notice that the two plants have totally different leaves.  The first one (click to enlarge photo) has larger, pointed leaves with a medium pink colour.  The second one has much smaller leaves which are round without pointed tips, and have a purple colour that is much darker than the plant in the first picture. 

 

Can anyone explain why these two plants have the same name if they are so different?  Perhaps one of them is not Iresine Herbstii?

Thanks to any contributors for their answers.

[Ben in Norcal]

Hmmm, mine look like the first.  You should check with Jim Denz on this one.

[The Silent Seed]

The second one actually looks like Iresine, while the first looks like an Alternanthera to me. 

[Sandy Loam]

Interesting. I have an alternanthera, but it looks nothing like either plant. It has tiny purple leaves.

Thanks for the identification. Can anyone else give a confirmation and possibly even a precise species of alternanthera?

Thanks.

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

They are both Iresine herbstii. The first is the cultivar 'Brilliantissima'.

The 2nd is just the species form.

 

 

 

[The Silent Seed]

Thanks, Eric! 

[Sandy Loam]

Thanks Eric. Do you know which of the two is going to be more cold-hardy?  I believe the species type did fiine last winter, but the brilliantissima type is a recent purchase that has not yet been tested. 

Thanks. Does anyone else know?

 

[Eric in Orlando]

I don't think there is any real difference.

 

[Tracy]

I recently started growing a couple of Iresine herbstii in pots.  My question is whether these are very efficient at reproducing on their own from seed?  As you can see, this one is loaded with little flowers.  I often see these plants filling in large spaces and I've never paid attention to see if it is due to many smaller plants or just the original plants growing and expanding their reach.  The reason I opted for pots is they are relatively fragile for dogs running through when chasing stray balls in the garden.  Most of my Cycads come with their own "fencing" so to speak, so do fine in the ground, but some other small things lacking armor or "fencing" have been known to get trampled over the years.

[Silas_Sancona]

5 hours ago, Tracy said:

I recently started growing a couple of Iresine herbstii in pots.  My question is whether these are very efficient at reproducing on their own from seed?  As you can see, this one is loaded with little flowers.  I often see these plants filling in large spaces and I've never paid attention to see if it is due to many smaller plants or just the original plants growing and expanding their reach.  The reason I opted for pots is they are relatively fragile for dogs running through when chasing stray balls in the garden.  Most of my Cycads come with their own "fencing" so to speak, so do fine in the ground, but some other small things lacking armor or "fencing" have been known to get trampled over the years.

Could try from seed, if it produces any  ...but i'd doubt anything would happen..  As with many other ornamental plants in Amaranthaceae,  cuttings are the easiest means of propagation.

[Tomas]

Iresine is actualy a quite vigorous plant, but still fragile. If provided with a support, they may also climb. There is also a yellow green cultivar too