Carlablackiae Anesthesia (Anes.) #2

This plant has changed hands several times. It originally came from Bill, who sold it to Josh of Phytorot. Josh grew it on before selling it to Brian Simono, a friend in the hobby from whom I acquired it when he began parting with his collection.

When I first saw this plant, I did not think much of it. Still, I kept returning to it. Something about it held my attention, and eventually I decided that was reason enough to buy it. A plant does not always need an extraordinary acquisition story—sometimes you are simply drawn to it. Its shape has changed considerably under my care. The leaf has always narrowed into a long, elegant tail, but an earlier form had a much wider sinus, shorter body, and outward-reaching lobes that reminded me loosely of the Batman emblem. Its current growth has taken a different direction: taller, more sculpted lobes frame a narrow, deep sinus, while the blade remains slender and tapers gradually to its extended point. Strong ivory primary veins stand sharply against the dark green velvet. Numerous thinner secondary veins branch toward the margins, giving the leaf plenty of structure without taking away from its narrow silhouette.

I am very glad I listened to whatever kept drawing me back to this plant. Its changing shape makes each new leaf interesting, and the combination of a slender blade, long tail, and ivory veining gives it a character unlike my other Carlas. Surprisingly, it has also been extremely selective as a seed parent. It refuses nearly every pollen donor I offer it, which is not what I typically expect from Carlablackiae. So far, I have managed only two successful seed batch: a selfing and one other cross whose pollen parent I cannot currently recall. I’m looking forward to watching the plant mature further—and hopefully discovering which pollen it will finally accept next.