I'm usually over in the vegetable forum, but since I can't eat this thing (as far as I know), I thought I'd ask somewhere where the topic is a little more broad.

This flower has been in my yard for the last couple years, and was planted by the previous owners. The first year, it looked like it was almost dead, but it's come back with a vengeance this year. It seems to have both male and female blossoms, and inside one of the sexes (females, I presume) are seed pods that dry and open up to reveal black seeds that are elongated, tubular, and almost resemble pencil graphite in color and sheen. I've collected about 9 of the seeds, and am starting them in flats to see if they'll germinate, but I'm definitely curious as to what the name of this plant is. I haven't seen anything like it flowering in the nurseries around this area, so it's been a mystery all this time.

If you know what it is, do you have any advice on what conditions it likes, and places it grows best? It seems to thrive on neglect in my yard, since it almost never gets watered, is planted in horrible soil, and only gets a tiny bit of sunlight every day. I love plants like that - especially ones that produce such plentiful and beautiful flowers!

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