Tropical Plant

TURMERIC

2013-12-30T11:25:00.001+07:00

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant, which reaches a stature of up to 1 meter. There are highly branched, yellow to orange, cylindrical, aromatic rhizomes . The leaves are alternate and arranged in two rows . They are divided into leaf sheath, petiole and leaf blade. From the leaf sheaths, a false stem is formed. The petiole is 50 to 115 cm long. The simple leaf blades are usually of a length of 76 to 115, cm and rarely up to 230 cm. They have a width of 38 to 45 cm and are oblong to elliptic narrowing at the tip.

Turmeric Plant

Uses:

1. Culinary

Turmeric is mostly used in savory dishes, but is used in some sweet dishes, such as the cake Sfouf. In India, turmeric plant leaf is used to prepare special sweet dishes, patoleo, by layering rice flour and coconut-jaggery mixture on the leaf, and then closing and steaming it in a special copper steamer (goa).
In recipes outside South Asia, turmeric is sometimes used as an agent to impart a rich, custard-like yellow color. It is used in canned beverages and baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn color, sweets, cake icings, cereals, sauces, gelatins, etc. It is a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders.

Most turmeric that is used is in the form of rhizome powder, in some regions (especially in Maharashtra, Goa), turmeric leaves are used to wrap and cook food. This use of turmeric leaves usually takes place in areas where turmeric is grown locally, since the leaves used are freshly picked. Turmeric leaves impart a distinctive flavor.

Although typically used in its dried, powdered form, turmeric is also used fresh, like ginger. It has numerous uses in Far Eastern recipes, such as pickle made from fresh turmeric that contains large chunks of soft turmeric.

Turmeric is widely used as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Many Persian dishes use turmeric as a starter ingredient. Almost all Iranian fried dishes consist of oil, onions, and turmeric followed by any other ingredients that are to be included.

In Indonesia, the turmeric leaves are used for Minangese or Padangesen curry base of Sumatra, such as rendang, sate padang and many other varieties.

In medieval Europe, turmeric became known as Indian saffron
because it was widely used as an alternative to the far more expensive saffron spice

to be continued..

source: random

Rambutan - The Fruits

2011-06-14T22:22:00.001+07:00

The rambutan is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippins, Sri Lanka and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the Lychee, Longan, and Mamoncillo. It is believed to be native to the Malay Archipelago, from where it spread westwards to Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka and India; eastwards to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. The name rambutan is from the Malay word rambutan, which literally means hairy caused by the 'hair' that covers this fruit, and is in general use in malay and Filipino.

There is a second species regularly for sale at Costa Rican markets which is known as "wild" rambutan. It is a little smaller than the usual red variety and is colored yellow. The outer skin is peeled exposing the fleshy fruit inside which is then eaten. It is sweet, sour and slightly grape like and gummy to the taste. In Costa Rican Spanish it is known as mamón chino (translated “Chinese sucker” )due to the likeness of the edible part with Meliococcus bijugatus and its Asian origin.
Rambutan are non-climacteric fruit - that is, they refuse to ripen unless on the tree.

variety of Orchids

2010-12-06T11:49:00.001+07:00

Adiantum capillus-veneris

2009-07-20T10:54:00.002+07:00

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Adiantum capillus-veneris, the black maidenhair fern, is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum with a subcosmopolitan distribution, native to western and southern Europe, Africa, Nort America, Central America. In the United States, it grows as far north as southern Missouri and southernmost Kentucky, where it will generally be found growing on sheltered, south-facing limestone.

It grows to 20-70 cm tall, with very delicate, light green fronds much subdivided into pinnae 5-10 mm long and broad; the frond rachis is black and wiry.

It is commonly grown as a houseplant.

Chlorophytum

2009-05-27T20:49:00.004+07:00

Chlorophytum is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, a genus of about 200-220 species of evergreen perennial flowering plants in the Agavaceae.

They grow to 10-60 cm tall, with a rosette of long, slender leaves 15-75 cm long and 0.5-2 cm broad, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome. The flowers are small, usually white, produced on sparse panicles up to 120 cm long; in some species the panicle also bears plantlets, which take root on touching the ground.

Chlorophytum comosum, the Spider Plant, a native of South Africa, is a very popular houseplant in its variegated form.

I just read also that Chlorophytum borivilianum is eaten as a leaf vegetable in some parts of India, and its roots are used medicinally as a sex tonic under the name safed moosli. The medicinal value is thought to derive from its saponin content, up to 17 percent by dry weight. It has also recently been suggested that it may produce an aphrodisiac agent. It is a herb with lanceolate leaves, from tropical wet forests. As medicinal demand has increased, the plant has been brought under cultivation. The saponins and alkaloids present in the plant are the source of its alleged aphrodisiac properties.

Safed Moosli was originally grown in thick forest in natural form, and is a traditional medicinal plant. Mainly its tuberous roots are used in ayurvedic medicines. Roots are used for the preparation of nutritive tonic used in general sexual weakness. Now-a-days, there is a very vast demand all over the world (Specially gulf countries and cold countries). Due to its vast demand it is very costly. Safed Musli is a herb with sub-erect leaves and tuberous root system. It can grow up to a maximum height of 1.5 ft. Tubers can grow up to a depth of 10". Safed Musli is a tiny annual herb that grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates with altitudes up to 1500 meters. Safed Musli has its origin in the India Subcontinent.

For you, all the function of Chlorophytum, it is need to research more.

Banana

2009-04-30T12:27:00.005+07:00

Banana is the common name for a fruit and also the herbaceous plants of the genus Musa which produce this commonly eaten fruit. They are native to the tropical region of Southeast Asia. Bananas are likely to have been first domesticated in Papua New Guinea. Today, they are cultivated throughout the tropics.

Banana plants are of the family Musaceae. They are cultivated primarily for their fruit, and to a lesser extent for the production of fibre and as ornamental plants. As the banana plants are normally tall and fairly sturdy they are often mistaken for trees, but their main or upright stem is actually a pseudostem (literally "fake stem"). For some species this pseudostem can reach a height of up to 2–8 m, with leaves of up to 3.5 m in length. Each pseudostem can produce a bunch of yellow, green or even red bananas before dying and being replaced by another pseudostem.

The banana fruit grow in hanging clusters, with up to 20 fruit to a tier (called a hand), and 3-20 tiers to a bunch. The total of the hanging clusters is known as a bunch, or commercially as a "banana stem", and can weigh from 30–50 kg. The fruit averages 125 g, of which approximately 75% is water and 25% dry matter content. Each individual fruit (known as a banana or 'finger') has a protective outer layer (a peel or skin) with a fleshy edible inner portion. Both skin and inner part can be eaten raw or cooked. Western cultures generally eat the inside raw and throw away the skin while some Asian cultures generally eat both the skin and inside cooked. Typically, the fruit has numerous strings (called 'phloem bundles’) which run between the skin and inner part. Bananas are a valuable source of vitamin B6, vitamin C and potassium.

Bananas are grown in at least 107 countries. In popular culture and commerce, "banana" usually refers to soft, sweet "dessert" bananas. The bananas from a group of cultivars with firmer, starchier fruit are called plantains. Bananas may also be cut and dried and eaten as a type of chip. Dried bananas are also ground into banana flour.

Although the wild species have fruits with numerous large, hard seeds, virtually all culinary bananas have seedless fruits. Bananas are classified either as dessert bananas (meaning they are yellow and fully ripe when eaten) or as green cooking bananas. Almost all export bananas are of the dessert types; however, only about 10-15% of all production is for export, with the United States ad European Union being the dominant buyers.

Botany

The banana plant is a pseudostem that grows to 6 to 7.6 metres (20-25 feet) tall, growing from a corm. Leaves are spirally arranged and may grow 2.7 metres (9 ft) long and 60 cm (2 ft) wide. The banana plant is the largest of all herbaceous flowering plants. The large leaves grow whole, but are easily torn by the wind, resulting in the familiar frond look.

A single, sterile, male banana flower, also known as the banana heart is normally produced by each stem (though on rare occasions more can be produced - a single plant in the Philippines has five). Banana hearts are used as a vegetable in Southeast Asia steamed, in salads, or eaten raw. The female flowers are produced further up the stem and produce the actual fruit without requiring fertilization. The fruit has been described as a "leathery berry". In cultivated varieties, the seeds have degenerated nearly to non-existence; their remnants are tiny black specks in the interior of the fruit. The ovary is inferior to the flower; because of their stiff stems and the positioning of the ovary and flower, bananas grow sticking up, not hanging down.

Some sources assert that the genus of the banana, Musa, is named for Antonio Musa, physician to the Emperor Augustus. Others say that Linnaeus, who gave the genus its name in 1750, simply adapted an Arabic word for banana, mauz. The word banana itself comes from the Arabic word banan, which means "finger". The genus contains numerous species; several produce edible fruit, while others are cultivated as ornamentals.
Source: Wikipedia

Sesbania grandiflora

2009-04-28T12:30:00.006+07:00

Sesbania grandiflora or in Indonesia called kembang turi

Sesbania grandiflora or hummingbird tree/scarlet wisteria is a small tree in the genus Sesbania. It is believed to have originated either in India or Southeast Asia and grows primarily in hot and humid tropical areas of the world.

It is a tree growing between 3 and 5 m i height. The leaves are regular and rounded and the flowers white and large, very characteristic. The fruits look like flat, long and thin green beans.
In cultivation it grows rapidly. It likes exposure to sunshine and it is extremely frost sensitive.

The flowers of S. grandiflora are eaten as a vegetable in Southeast Asia, like Laos, Thailand, Java in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Ilocos Region of the Philippines.

In the Thai language the flowers are called (dok khae) and are used in the Thai cuisine both cooked in curries and raw. In the Khmer language they are called pka angkea dey and in Vietnamese they are called so đũa. In the Philippines it is known as katuray and in the Indonesian language they are called bunga turi or kembang turi.

The young pods are also eaten, along with the leaves. In Sri Lanka, agati leaves, known as Katura murunga, are sometimes added to sodhi, a widely eaten, thin coconut gravy. In India this plant is known as agati (Hindi), agastya (Kannada), agise (Telugu), and both the leaves and the flowers have culinary uses.

Pachystachys lutea

2009-03-21T14:24:00.004+07:00

Pachystachys lutea or Lollypop or Golden Shrimp Plant is a tropical evergreen shrub or subshrub that grows 2-6’ tall in its native habitat. Lollypop is native to Peru and include Acanthaceae family . Narrow, tubular, two-lipped white flowers are partially covered by and protrude from showy, overlapping golden yellow bracts which provide the predominant structure and color to the 4-sided inflorescences. Yellow bracts somewhat resemble the overlapping scales on a shrimp, hence the common name of shrimp plant.

Lollypop can be ground in the ground, plants need a moist, organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun, tolerates part shade. Houseplants are best in warm, humid, sunny locations.

This plant is easy maintenance, no serious insect or disease problems.

Impatiens balsamina

2009-03-01T12:39:00.001+07:00

Impatiens balsamina (Garden Balsam or Rose Balsam) is a species of Impatiens native to southern Asia in India and Myanmar. It is called kamantigue in the Philippines.

It is an annual plant growing to 20–75 cm tall, with a thick, but soft stem. The leaves are spirally-arranged, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–2.5 cm broad, with a deeply toothed margin. The flowers are red, pink, purple, or white, and 2.5–5 cm diameter; they are pollinated by bees and other insects, and also by nectar-feeding birds.

Different parts of the plant are used to treat disease and skin afflctions; the leaves, seeds, and stems are also edible if cooked. Juice from balsam leaves treats warts and also snakebite, while the flower can be applied to burns to cool the skin.

It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, and has become naturalised and invasive on several Pacific Ocean islands.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

2009-02-24T10:55:00.013+07:00

Caesalpinia pulcherrima or Poinciana is the most popularly planted species in the genus Caesalpinia. Common names for this species include Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana, Pride of Barbados, and flamboyan-de-jardin.

This species is native to tropical America. It is a shrub growing to 3 m tall. The leaves are bipinnate, 20-40 cm long, bearing 3-10 pairs of pinnae, each with 6-10 pairs of leaflets 15-25 mm long and 10-15 mm broad. The flowers are borne in racemes up to 20 cm long, each flower with five yellow, orange or red petals. The fruit is a pod 6-12 cm long.

It is a striking ornamental plant, widely grown in tropical gardens.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima becomes the national flower of the Caribbean island of Barbados, and is depicted on the Queen’s personal Barbadian flag.

In India, with a beautiful inflorescence in yellow, red and orange, it is called "Ratnagundhi" colloquially and found in the tropical rain forests.

Medicine men in the amazone Rainforest have long known some of the medicinal uses for Caesalpinia pulcherrima, which is known as ayoowiri. The juice from the leaves is said to cure fever, the juice from the flower cures sores, and the seeds cure bad cough, breathing difficulty, and chest pain. Four grams from the root is also said to induce abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Belamcanda chinensis

2009-02-18T23:19:00.005+07:00

Belamcanda chinensis or Blackberry Lily or Leopard flower or Leopard lily is an ornamental plant in the Iridaceae family. Leopard flower derives its name from the clusters of shiny black seeds exposed when seed capsules split open. Even though it is called a lily it is actually in the Iris family.

The plant grows 60-90 cm tall in full sun and is often found blanketing hill sides, the flowers can range form red to yellow to orange or mixed and bloom in summer to early autumn (fall).

The leopard lily is a flowering perennial of Chinese origin and is locally used in Chinese villages for its medicinal values.

Flowers are orange with a red dot and are 2 inches across.

Belamcanda chinensis need partial shade to full sun. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mixture consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 2 parts loam to 1 part sand or perlite. Let the soil dry in between waterings. Fertilize monthly during the growing season. In the winter months, water sparingly. If grown outside, plant rhizomes 1 inch deep in a well-drained soil.

Belamcanda chinensis is propagated by division of rhizomes or by seed. Seeds need a 4 to 6 week cold stratification period. Plants from seed will usually bloom in the first year.

Airis

2009-02-14T08:21:00.006+07:00

Iris or Iris Sp or Beardless Iris is a genus of flowering plants with showy flowers ranging in colour from gold, copper-red or yellow to white, blue, blue-violet, lavender, tan, maroon and purple. Pink and apricot coloured irises have also been bred in some species. The name "Iris" can be applied either to the genus, or to any of the species within it. It is also applied to various subdivisions within the genus.

There are many species of Iris more than 250 species and widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone.

The name of Iris is adopted from The Greece goddess, Iris because the various colors of Iris, difference depend on the species.

All Irises have long stems and six-lobed flowers with three petals sagging downwards (actually large sepals in the same colour as the flower), and three standing upright. Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards.

Typical irises grow from a creeping rhizome, but some species, known as bulbous irises, have a bulb. The cushion irises are somewhat fastidious growers, and to be successful with them they must be planted rather shallow in very gritty well-drained soil. They should not be disturbed in the, autumn, and after the leaves have withered the roots should be protected from heavy rains until growth starts again naturaily.

The iris flower is of special interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating insects. The shape of the flower and the position of the pollen- receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect which in probing the perianth for honey will first come in contact of perianth, three with the stigmatic stamens in one whorl surface which is borne and an ovary formed of three carpels. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorl under side of the stamens, which is beneath the over-arching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma, while in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus an insect bearing pollen from one flower will in entering a second deposit the pollen on the stigma, while in backing out of a flower the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.

Many other smaller species of bulbous iris, being liable to perish from excess of moisture, should have a well-drained bed of good but porous soil made up for them, in some sunny spot, and in winter should be protected by a 6-in, covering of half-decayed leaves or fresh coco-fibre refuse. To this set belong milifolia, junonia, danfordiae, reichenbachii and others which flower as early as February and March.

Beardless irises comprise the Pacific Coast irises, Siberian, Spuria, Laevigatae the water or Japanese irises, Louisiana, Unguiculares and Crested irises. Louisiana iris can survive in cold climates with winter protection, moved to a cold frame or frost free cellar.

Acalypha hispida

2009-02-12T00:53:00.002+07:00

Acalypha hispida or Chenille plant is native to New Guinea, the Malay Archipelago and other islands in the East Indies.

Chenille plant is an erect, sparsely branched shrub that can get 6-12 ft (1.8-3.7 m) high with a spread of 3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m). Potted plants are kept considerably smaller. The evergreen leaves are oval, 4-9 in (10-23 cm) long, 3-4 in (7.6-10 cm) wide, and pointed on the tips. Chenille plant is dioecious, meaning that the staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers are on separate plants. The pistillate flowers are purple, bright red or crimson, and clustered in velvety catkins, 8-20 in (20-51 cm) long and an inch in diameter. They are dense and fluffy, like a cat's tail, and they appear intermittently throughout the whole year as long as conditions are favorable. The cultivar, 'Alba' has creamy-white catkins.

Chenille plant needs full sun to partial shade. Best flowering is on plants in full sun. Chenille plant needs a humid environment and frequent watering during the summer growing season. Chenille plant does not tolerate frost.

Propagation

Propagate chenille plant from cuttings taken in summer. Best results come from semi-ripe wood tip cuttings with a heel.

Usage

Chenille plant can be grown in a container on the patio or porch, and brought indoors during cold weather. It looks great in a large hanging basket with its fluffy crimson tassels hanging over the sides. It also can be kept as a houseplant in a bright location, but it will require frequent and heavy pruning, as well as regular misting in an air conditioned room. A common practice is to take cuttings every year and have new young and vigorous plants constantly coming on.

In frost free climates, grow this striking ornamental as a free standing specimen shrub or give it a prominent position in a mixed border or hedge.

The brightly colored pendulous tassels of chenille plant are extremely showy, and a specimen in full bloom is a spectacular sight.

Tibouchina urvilleana

2009-02-10T21:24:00.005+07:00

Tibouchina urvilleana is a evergreen vigorous grower that forms majestic mounds of handsome foliage that is covered during the warm months with big beautiful bluish purple flowers.

Tibouchina urvilleana is native to Brazil. Princess flower is a very popular landscape plant in frost free areas around the world.

Princess flower prefers rich fertile soil but it is able to adapt to other soils as well if mulched, fed and periodically watered. Fertilize after each bloom cycle for optimum flowering.

This flower prefers sunny situations but the princess appreciates afternoon shade in areas with high summer temperatures.

Tibouchina urvilleana likes moisture but not soggy conditions. Will survive short periods of drought.

Propagation:

Softwood cuttings and division of clumps.

Usage

The princess flower steals the show wherever it is used. Plant near outdoor living areas where its flowers can be enjoyed at close range. The handsome foliage adds texture and interest to shrub borders and foundation plantings and delivers splashes of color that grab the attention of all who come near.

This fast growing shrub is quick to recover from frost and freeze die-back. It's very attractive bright purple flowers are especially enjoyable and good for cutting. Princess flower is seldom bothered by pest or disease. It's easy to grow and requires little maintenance once established.

Sources: many

Russelia equisetiformis

2009-02-08T12:59:00.007+07:00

Coral Plant in various color

Russelia equisetiformis (Coral plant) is a multi-branched subshrub with slender, rushlike stems that are angled with ridges and leaves that are reduced to little more than small scales. The wiry branches start out erect then fall over to cascade down in lengths as long as 4 ft (1.2 m).

From spring until fall outdoors and all year long indoors, coral plant produces hanging clusters of scarlet tubular flowers about 1 in (2.5 cm) long that look like little firecrackers inspiring the plant's other common name, firecracker plant.

Coral plant is native to Mexico. It has escaped cultivation and established in disturbed sites in central and southern Florida and in other warm climate areas.

The other popular name are kembang Air Mancur, Letup-letup, kembang petasan (Indonesia)

Culture

Grow in a humus rich, well drained soil and fertilize regularly. This flower needs Full sun or partial shade. It also needs water regularly and don't let the soil dry out.

Propagation

Easy to propagate from tip cuttings.

Usage

Coral plant is often grown in hanging baskets. It does well on the patio or indoors in front of a window. Outdoors, let coral plant spill over a wall or raised bed. Stems can be tied to a trellis or wall.

Coral plant is fast growing, easy to cultivate and blooms almost continuously. This plant is a must have for tropical butterfly gardens.

Another tender perennial, is also sometimes called firecracker plant as well as cigar plant. It too is a fine butterfly and hummingbird plant and looks great planted with this firecracker plant.

Brazilian plume Flower

2009-02-06T21:26:00.009+07:00

Brazilian plume Flower or Justicia carnea is a tropical/tender perennial shrub with unusual pods holding many tubular flared flowers that bloom throughout the summer in colors ranging from pinks to purples and oranges.

Justicia branches are as delicate as the plant's other features and will not withstand traffic or wind; coupled with its preference for partial or light shade, the plume flower should ideally reside in a sheltered corner of the garden. As with so many other shade plants, about half a day of sun will produce the best display of blooms.

The genus Justicia, consists of about 300 species of herbs, shrubs and tender perennials native to the tropics and subtropics of Brazil and South America.

Justicia in various colors

Some common names for Justicia carnea include flamingo flower, Jacobinia, pine-bur begonia, pink jacobinia, pink tongues, paradise plant, king's crown and cardinal's guard. The Brazilian Plume Flower is a member of the Acanthus family, relating it to other unique tropical plants like shrimp plants.

Supposedly easy to grow and propagate, plume flowers are an ideal plant for brightening shady garden spaces if you can create the right microclimate and do exceptionally well in containers here, as they require excellent drainage.

Deadhead old flower spikes immediately when the blooms decline, and the plant will start sending out new leaves followed by more blooms. Justicia prefers mildly acidic to neutral soil and should be watered regularly but not overwatered; fertilize three times a year in spring, summer and early fall, and cut back lanky stems after blooming to maintain the plant's shape.

To encourage vigorous blooming, fertilize container plants biweekly and landscape plants monthly with timed release granules. The plant may appear leggy by late winter, but cutting back severely in late winter or early spring should encourage a dense, compact shape.

Propagation

Justicia cuttings are very easy to root. Just cut 8-12 in pieces of stem, remove all but the top 2 leaves and dust the root end of the stem with rooting hormone powder. Cover the stem 1-2 inches deep in potting soil and keep moist.

Usage

Use them in pots and containers indoors or in shady entryways, porches and patios. The smaller varieties can be used as a colorful groundcover in shady areas. Larger varieties make great background plants and can be used in mixed hedges. Because they produce lots of flowers throughout the heat of summer, justicia is becoming popular in northern gardens where it is grown as an annual or lifted into pots and wintered indoors.

Features

Justicia can't be beat for adding bright patches of vibrant color to shady areas. They are readily available from nurseries and discount stores in warm areas of the country (and becoming more available in cooler zones due to distribution by the big garden and home center chain stores).

Source: many sources

Gomphrena globosa

2009-02-04T14:57:00.003+07:00

Gomphrena globosa is commonly known as globe amaranth. It is an annual plant that grows up to 24 inches in height. The true species has magenta bracts, and cultivars have colors such as purple, red, white, pink, and lilac.

Its native range is in Brazil, Panama and Guatemala.

In Hawaii, it is commonly used in long-lasting leis since it retains its shape and color after drying.
This flower is used to make a garland for Brother's Day in Nepal. The garland is put around the brother's neck by their sister for Protection.

Names in other languages

Hawaiian Pidgin - bozu
Hawaiian - lehua pepa, lehua moa loa
Tamil - Vadamalli
Javanese - Bunga Kancing
Nepali - Supadi Phool

Globe amaranth is an annual bedding plant that grows 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6- m) tall with a spread of about 1 ft (0.3 m). The branched stems are erect and stiff and the plant has a bushy appearance. The leaves are opposite, oblong, 4-6 in (10-15 cm) long, and wooly-white when young, becoming sparsely white-hairy as they age. Cloverlike flowerheads, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long, are borne on upright spikes from summer until frost. The individual flowers within the flowerheads are inconspicuous, but the stiff, papery bracts that form the bulk of the structure are colorful and showy and come in shades of white, pink and purple.

'Buddy' is smaller, to 9 in (23 cm) high, and has bright intensely purple flowerheads. 'Cissy' also is smaller and has white flowerheads. Gomphrena 'Strawberry Fields' is a hybrid with bright red flowerheads to 2 in (5 cm) long.

Location

Globe amaranth is native to Panama and Guatemala in Central America.

Culture

Pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage branching. Globe amaranth benefits from mulching in hot, dry weather.

Light: Full sun.

Moisture: Globe amaranth will survive drought, but performs best with regular watering, especially during hot weather.

Hardiness: Globe amaranth is an annual grown as a summer bedding plant. It cannot tolerate frost, but it is quite tolerant of summer heat.

Propagation: Plant globe amaranth seeds in spring after all danger of frost has past. Many gardeners set out 6-8 week old seedlings for a head start on the season. Seeds should be soaked in water for a day or two before planting and will take about a week or two to germinate at 70ºF (21 ºC).

Usage

Gophrenas are used in annual beds and borders. In masses, the round flowerheads produce an interesting texture, and their bright colors last late into the season. Their low stature makes them well suited for edging around taller plantings. Globe amaranth is often grown in containers on the porch or deck. The conelike flowerheads are beautiful in dried arrangements and will hold their shape and color indefinitely. To grow gomphrena for cut flowers or dried arrangements, plant closely together to force longer stems. Cut the stems just as the heads are beginning to open and hang upside down in a warm, dark place to dry.

Features

Gomphrena is an old fashioned bedding plant that just isn't used enough these days. It tolerates poor soils, heat and drought, and was once a favorite in British gardens. It is a true "everlasting" and one of the best flowers you can grow for dried arrangements. As an added bonus, it attracts butterflies.

Abelia

2009-02-02T22:23:00.002+07:00

Abelia is a genus of about 15-30 species and many hybrids in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae, in the part of that family split off by some authors in the segregate family Linnaeaceae. The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group considers Linnaeaceae to encompass such genera as Linnaea, Abelia, Dipelta, Kolkwitzia, and Zabelia.

Abelias are shrubs from 1-6 m tall, native to eastern Asia (Japan west to the Himalaya) and southern North America (Mexico); the species from warm climates are evergreen, and colder climate species deciduous.

The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, ovate, glossy, dark green, 1.5-8 cm long, turning purplish-bronze to red in autumn in the deciduous species. The flowers appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends, 1-8 together in a short cyme; they are pendulous, white to pink, bell-shaped with a five-lobed corolla, 1-5 cm long, and usually scented. Flowering continues over a long and continuous late spring to fall period.

Cultivation and uses

Abelias are popular garden shrubs. The most widely grown is the hybrid Abelia x grandiflora (Glossy Abelia; hybrid Abelia chinensis x Abelia uniflora). This is a rounded, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub with gracefully arching branches to 1-1.8 m tall, with ovate, glossy, dark green semi-evergreen leaves to 2-6 cm long, and clusters of white-tinged-pink, bell-shaped flowers to 2 cm long.

Abelia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species.

Galphimia

2009-01-28T00:10:00.002+07:00

Galphimia is a genus in the Malpighiaceae, a family of about 75 genera of flowering plants in the order Malpighiales. Galphimia comprises 26 species of large herbs, shrubs, and treelets.

Twenty-two species occur in Mexico, one (G. angustifolia) extending into Texas and one (G. speciosa) ranging to Nicaragua; four species (G. amambayensis, G. australis, G. brasiliensis, G. platyphylla) occur in South America, south of the Amazon Basin.

Galphimia gracilis is widely cultivated in warm regions throughout the world (but often confused with G. glauca and also G. brasiliensis). Eight species (of Mexico and Central America) are distinctive in that the petals become stiff and papery, and persist past the stage of fruit maturation.

Galphimia is sometimes confused with Thryallis, a different genus of Malpighiaceae that occurs in Brazil and adjacent Paraguay and Bolivia.

At one time some species now assigned to Galphimia were referred to Thryallis, but the generic name Thryallis is now a conserved name according to the rules of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

The genus Thryallis is distinctive in the stellate hairs and scales found on the vegetative parts, and in that the limb of the petals is much wider than long, traits not found in Galphimia.

Mirabilis jalapa

2009-01-23T21:43:00.005+07:00

Flowers and Colour

Mirabilis jalapa or The four o'clock flower or marvel of Peru. M. jalapa hails from tropical South America.

A curious aspect of this plant is that flowers of different colours can be found simultaneously on the same plant. Additionally, an individual flower can be splashed with different colours. Another interesting point is a colour-changing phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures, it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink color. Similarly white flowers can change to light violet.

The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, then producing a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, hence the first of its common names. In China, it is called the "shower flower" or "rice boiling flower" because it is in bloom at the time of these activities. In Hong Kong, it is known as "purple jasmine". Despite their appearance, the flowers are not formed from petals – rather they are a pigmented modification of the calyx.

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued sphynx moths.

Habitat and cultivation

seed

M. jalapa hails from tropical South America, but has become naturalised throughout tropical and warm temperate regions. In cooler temperate regions, it will die back with the first frosts, regrowing in the following spring from the tuberous roots. The plant does best in full sun.

The single-seeded fruit are spherical, wrinkled and black upon maturity (see picture), having started out greenish-yellow. The plant will self-seed, often spreading rapidly if left unchecked in a garden. Some gardeners recommend that the seeds should be soaked before planting, but this is not totally necessary.

Kalanchoe

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Kalanchoe is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants in the Family Crassulaceae. Most are shrubs or perennial herbaceous plants, but a few are annual or biennial. The largest, Kalanchoe beharensis from Madagascar, can reach 6 m tall, but most species are less than 1 m tall.

Members of Kalanchoe genus are characterized by opening their flowers by growing new cells on the inner surface of the petals to force them outwards, and on the outside of the petals to close them.

Cultivation and uses

These plants are cultivated as ornamental houseplants and rock or "succulent" garden plants. They are popular because of their ease of propagation, low water requirements, and wide variety of flower colors typically borne in clusters well above the vegetative growth.

The section Bryophyllum - formerly an independent genus - contains species such as the "Air plant" Kalanchoe pinnata. In these plants, new individuals develop vegetatively as plantlets, also known as bulbils or gemmae, at indents along the leaves.

These young plants eventually drop off and take root. No males have been found of one species of this genus which does flower and produce seeds, and it is commonly called, the Mother of Thousands.

Zinnia haageana

2008-12-20T18:32:00.004+07:00

Description

Mexican zinnia is an upright, bushy annual that is similar to common zinnia(Z. elegans). However, the leaves are smaller, only 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm) long. They are also narrower (almost linear) unlike the lance-shaped, 3-5 in (7.6-12.7 cm) long leaves of common zinnia. Mexican zinnia gets about 2 ft (0.6 m) tall with a spread of about 1 ft (0.3 m). The wild form has bright orange ray flowers on heads about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across. Like the better known zinnia, Mexican zinnia has many cultivars to brighten up summer flower beds. 'Old Mexico' is a tried and true old-timer with a bushy habit and flowerheads in yellow, red and mahogany. 'Chippendale' has ray flowers that are bright red with yellow tips. 'Star White' has white rays and golden yellow discs. 'Persian Carpet' is dwarf, to 14 in (35.6 cm) tall, with double flowerheads in a wide combination of bi-colors including gold, maroon, purple, brown, cream and pink. 'Orange Star' is only 10 in (25.4 cm) tall and bushy with orange flowerheads; it makes a good annual groundcover.

Location

Mexican zinnia is native to Mexico.

Culture

Light: Full sun.

Moisture: Mexican zinnia is quite tolerant of heat and drought. The 'Persian Carpet' series cultivars are perhaps the most drought and heat tolerant.

Hardiness: Mexican zinnia is a warm season annual that is very tolerant of long, hot summers. It cannot tolerate frost.

Propagation: Sow seeds where the plants are to be grown in spring after the last frost, or set out 6-8 week-old seedlings. Zinnias are sensitive to root disturbance, so be especially careful when transplanting.

Usage

Zinnias are traditional in annual flower beds and borders. Use the dwarf varieties in containers and window planters. Some of the short, bushy cultivars make nice summer groundcovers. Grow the taller varieties in borders and beds and for cut flowers. Pinch young stems back to encourage branching unless growing for long-stemmed cut flowers. Deadhead spent flowers frequently to prolong flowering. Zinnias will produce larger (but fewer) flowers if you remove side shoots.

Features

Zinnias are among the few bedding plants that will continue to perform throughout long, hot southern summers, all the way up to the first frost. Mexican zinnia is even more tolerant of heat, dry weather and winds than is the common zinnia.

The name, Zinnia angustifolia has been misapplied to Z. haageana in the horticultural trade, but the former is in fact a distinct species from Central America that is smaller, to 15 in (38.1 cm) high, and has smaller narrower leaves to 2 in (5.1 cm) long. Narrow-leaved zinnia, as it is called, has ray flowers that are orange with a yellow stripe down the middle.

Species of Zephyranthes

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Zephyranthes atamasco - US (Florida)
Zephyranthes aurea
Zephyranthes bifolia
Zephyranthes candida - S America (Argentina)
Zephyranthes chlorosolen - US
Zephyranthes citrina - Mexico
Zephyranthes clintae
Zephyranthes drummondii - US
Zephyranthes flavidissumus
Zephyranthes grandiflora
Zephyranthes guatemalensis
Zephyranthes huastecana - Mexico
Zephyranthes insularum - W.coast of Mexico
Zephyranthes jonesii - US
Zephyranthes katherinae - Mexico
Zephyranthes labuffarosea - Mexico
Zephyranthes lindleyana - Mexico
Zephyranthes longifolia - US-west to the NM mountains
Zephyranthes macrosiphon - Mexico
Z. mesochloa – S America
Zephyranthes minima
Z. moctezumae - Mexico
Zephyranthes nelsonii
Zephyranthes nymphaea
Zephyranthes primulina - Mexico
Zephyranthes pulchella
Zephranthes robustus
Zephyranthes reginae- AKA 'Valles Yellow' - Mexico
Zephyranthes rosea
Zephyranthes traubii
Zephyranthes verecunda
Some Named Garden Hybrids or cultivars: annotated where possible
Apricot Queen - apricot
Ajax- Z.candida x Z. citrina
Aquarius- Z.candida x Ajax
Bali Beauty-Marta hybrid
Batik-Fadjar Marta hybrid Plant Delights in N. Carolina
Bangkok yellow
Benidama-pink
Becky Sellars - Cherry red
Best Pink Trihybrid (candida x citrina x macrosiphon) pink blend
Big Dude
Big Shot - Z.traubii hybrid Ivory white
Orange Big Shot - orange
Pink Big Shot (BS x Macrosiphon)
Yellow Big Shot (BS x citrina)
Capricorn - Orange
Carmen Jones - Red
Cherry Fireball- redder hybrid seedling of FBL,fades to pink
CookieCutter Moon - Yucca Do release White (excellent parent)
Copper Mine - Mata Hybrid orange PDN release
Dark Pink Spider - F1 fertile grandiflora -
El Cielo - a selection?
Fadjar's Pink - Marta hybrid
Fadjar's Pink x Z. primulina - excellent Frechette hybrid
Fadjar's Pink x Z. regina - very fast growing Frechette hybrid
Fantasy Island- Marta hybrid, PDN release
Fireball - swirly orange and red (fades to white)
Goliath - PDN variety- fertile Z. grandiflora hybrid
Grand Canyon
Horsetail Falls, collected plant, usually distributed as cultivar, large leaves and bulb
Ivory Star - Ivory (apomictic)
Jakarta Jewel- Marta hybrid, double, center petals reduced in size
Java-Marta hybrid PDN release, bright orange, yellow throat hold color well
Jim Frechette - F1 fertile grandiflora, fast offset, blooms 1 year from seed
Joann Trial
Krakatau - Marta hybrid, red orange
LilyPies- Yucca do selection of Laffurosea
Lydia Luckman - Marta hybrid-pink yellow blend
Michelle Casillas - neon yellow hybrid
Moulin Rouge-PDN release (double) pink and yellow blend
Norma Pearl - Intergeneric cross - White
Paul Niemi- Marta hybrid orange (apomictic)
Pink Panther- Labuffarosea selection
Prairie Sunset- apricot-fades white
Redneck Romance- Avent hybrid seedling
Ruth Page-
Salmon Big Shot - Salmon pink
San Carlos - exceptionally fragrant white
Shannon Hill -Wine-pink hybrid Z.clintae, non-fading
South Pacific-Marta hybrid, introduced by PDN
Sunset Strain - yellow w/red stripes (apomictic)
Tall Pink - Fertile F1 grandiflora
Tenexico - may be a natural hybrid? Yucco Do release - small flowered apricot
Trihybrid [(Z.candida x Z.citrina) x Z. macrosiphon] marginally fertile
Twisted Sister - Yucca Do release -pastel apricot, fades ivory-white
XZB-H21 - Fellers hybrid not in commerce - White

Source from Wikipedia

Zephyranthes

2008-12-14T22:54:00.006+07:00

Zephyranthes is a genus of about 70 species in the Amaryllis family. Common names for species in this genus include fairy lily, rainflower, zephyr lily, magic lily and rain lily.

According Meerow et al., cladistics suggests that they are native to the Americas. This is important to mention since several species have become naturalized (sometimes unintentionally) in distant places like Hawaii, Indonesia, and Thailand. The species that are native to the higher altitudes in Mexico (e.g. Z. lindleyana) and parts of North America (e.g. Z. longifolia) or Argentina (e.g. Z. candida) represent the species having the greatest potential for cold hardinaess.

These perennial geophytes are remarkable for the many ecological niches they tolerate (periodically wet soil to desert conditions), and have many ornamental characteristics worth preserving. Care should be taken with the plants since many of the parts, leaves, bulbs etc. are toxic. Although the genus has been evaluated for possible medicinal properties the biochemically toxic compounds are things like alkaloids. (Kojima et al 1997.)

Species in the genus which are listed in this article, vary in morphology.

Characteristics such as bulb size, tunic color, and leaf morphology help to identify the species. Foliage in the wild is often ephemeral, but under cultivation becomes more persistent.
Leaf color ranges from the bright grassy green of Z. candida (shown in the photo) to rather broad glaucous colored foliage such as Z. drummondii.
A few of the species have distinct bronze tints in the foliage when grown in bright light.
Size of leaves in these species, ranges from dark green and tiny grassy leaves in species like Z.jonesi or Z. longifolia, to broader, glaucous leaves in species like Z. drummondii, and perhaps largest of all, the cultivar commonly known as "Horsetail Falls" which has handsome broad leaves almost like a Hippeastrum.
Flower color in the species ranges from white to yellow (various tints of this color from lemon to sulfur) and pink.

Zephyranthes have erect flower stalks which support a flower that may be upward facing or slightly nodding. The funnel-shaped, flowers with six petals can be crocus shaped, but may also open flat such as in Z.jonesii or even reflex slightly. The flowers of some species have a sweet, pleasant fragrance. Fragrance appears to be recessive in crosses, but there are a few species or hybrids, Z. drummondii (white), Z. morrisclintae (pink)and Z.jonesii (light yellow), that all carry the trait. At least 2 of these open their flowers at night and are attractive to nocturnal insects. The flowers typically last only for a day or two; but new flowers may appear in a succession of blooms, especially during humid or rainy weather. Various members of the genus may bloom spring only or repeat and continue into autumn, often a few days after rainstorms thus one of the common names, rainlilies. Periods of synchronous bloom, which breeders have dubbed 'blitzes', are part of their ornamental value, but also times breeders exploit for the purpose of producing new hybrids. (Marta 2005)

Most species under cultivation will bloom without the naturally imposed drought and wet that occurs in nature. Greenhouse grown plants bloom very freely but cycle through periods of bloom. One of the longest blooming of all the species is Z. primulina which blooms from April until October. Although it is apomictic, it is a choice parent for crosses because of its rapid repeat flowering trait and long bloom season. Some other species such as Z. Morrisclintae appear to bloom only in the spring season. Most of these species are easily propagated vegetatively via offsets or twin scaling.

A few of them such a Z.clintae are slow to produce increase. Unusual phenotypes can be preserved vegetatively. Sexual reproduction is via seed. The apomictic species freely set seed and faithfully reproduce the maternal phenotype. Sterility in hybrids can be problematic;reasons for this are mentioned below. Seed usually is best sown quickly after harvest, although short term storage can be successful. Maiden seedling can be brought into bloom for some of the hybrid in 8-12 after sowing in ideal conditions. This is great for doing necessary checks for apomixis. Currently these plants are grown in the garden in USDA zones 7 and higher. Hopefully with some attention from breeders new cultivar might increase the plants' cold hardiness. Often the plants are sold in nurseries already potted up, this is a great benefit since the growth cycle is not interrupted. Dried bulbs are marketed wholesale and rarely may be slow to rebloom. Such bulbs usually recover once they have a long growing season after rooting out.

Breeding with these species has some inherent difficulties summarized by M. RoyChowdhury (2006 JAAS) as ranging from pseudogomy and apomixis, differences in chromosome number and varying times of flowering. In spite of these drawbacks interesting breeding work is being done to enhance the value of the plants as ornamentals. Because of the nature botanical restriction breeding programs often encounter impediments. Reciprocal crosses may be difficult because the apomictic parent cannot be used as female parents. However interspecific crosses are well documented (RoyChowdhury 2006). There are tri-hybrids and quad hybrids being produced. (Crossing 3 or 4 distinct species.) Such work indicates that complex hybrids should be possible.

One constraint remains that seedlings may still carry the apomictic trait, and it is necessary to have progeny from a test cross to determine this. Mr. John Fellers, Mr. Fadjar Marta and Mr. Tony Avent are just a few of the talented breeders currently working today to increase the potential for these plants. Their work has come to the attention of connoisseurs of the these plants. Colors in man-made crosses currently include red, orange, tan, salmon, blends, picotees and stripes. Floral types such as goblet shaped, wavy petal edges, narrow petals and doubles have been bred (Marta 2005). Complex hybrids may have advantages in holding their flowers open longer, up to three days. While difficult, there have been a few attempts to cross some of these species with related species in the genus Habranthus. Currently it appears that a few crosses with large flowered Habranthus species have been possible for example the cultivar, 'Normal Pearl' which is an intergeneric cross.

The name Zephyranthes comes from Zephyrus, the god of the west wind in Greek mythology. Therefore one translation for a common name might be Westwind Flower. The west wind presumably brings rain that these plants revel in.

Source from Wikipedia

Picture from Wikipedia

Alocasia

2008-12-12T20:45:00.005+07:00

Alocasia is a genus of broad-leaved rhizomatous or bulbous perennials from the Family Araceae. There are about 70 species of Alocasia occurring in Asia, Oceania and South America. The large cordate or sagittate leaves grow to a length of 20 to 90 cm on long petioles. Their beautiful araceous flowers grow at the end of a short stalk, but are not conspicuous; often hidden behind the leaf petioles.

The stem (a corm) is edible, but contains raphid crystals of oxalic acid that can numb and swell the tongue and pharynx. The corms require prolonged boiling before serving or processing as a food.

Some hybrids, such as the Amazon Lily of the African Mask (Alocasia x amazonica), are grown as ornamentals.

Species

Alocasia acuminata: (Indonesia)
Alocasia aequiloba: (New Guinea)
Alocasia alba: (Sri Lanka)
Alocasia amazonica: (South East Asia)
Alocasia argyrea
Alocasia arifolia: (Malaysia)
Alocasia atropurpurea: (Philippines)
Alocasia augustiana
Alocasia x bachi: (unplaced name)
Alocasia balgooyi: (Sulawesi)
Alocasia beccarii: (Malaysia)
Alocasia boa: (New Guinea)
Alocasia boyceana: (Philippines)
Alocasia brancifolia: (New Guinea)
Alocasia brisbanensis: Cunjevoi, Spoon Lily (Australia)
Alocasia cadieri: (SE Asia)
Alocasia celebica: (Sulawesi)
Alocasia x chantrieri: (unplaced name)
Alocasia x chantrieriana: (unplaced name)
Alocasia x clypeolata: Green Shield (Philippines)
Alocasia x conspicua (= A. longiloba × A.odora ) (unplaced name)
Alocasia coriacea: (unplaced name)
Alocasia cucullata: Chinese Taro (Indonesia)
Alocasia culionensis: (Philippines)
Alocasia cuprea: (Borneo)
Alocasia decipiens: (Indonesia)
Alocasia decumbens: (Vietnam)
Alocasia denudata: (Singapore)
Alocasia devansayana: (New Guinea)
Alocasia evrardii: (SE Asia) (unplaced name)
Alocasia fallax: (East Himalaya to Bangladesh)
Alocasia flabellifera: (New Guinea)
Alocasia flemingiana: (Java)
Alocasia fornicata: (Indonesia)
Alocasia gageana: (Myanmar)
Alocasia x gaulainii: (unplaced name)
Alocasia grandis: (Indonesia) (unplaced name)
Alocasia grata: (Indonesia)
Alocasia hainanensis: (Hainan, China)
Alocasia hainaica: (Hainan to N. Vietnam)
Alocasia hererophylla: (Philippines)
Alocasia hollrungii: (New Guinea)
Alocasia infernalis: (Borneo)
Alocasia inornata: (Sumatra)
Alocasia kerinciensis: (Sumatra)
Alocasia lancifolia: (New Guinea)
Alocasia lauterbachiana: (New Guinea)
Alocasia longiloba: (Malaysia)
Alocasia macrorrhizos: Giant Taro, Elephant Ear, Ape flower (SE Asia, Australia, Pacific)
Alocasia macrorrhizos var. brisbanensis : (Australia)
Alocasia maquilingensis: (Philippines)
Alocasia melo: (Borneo)
Alocasia micholitziana: Elephant’s Ear Plant (Philippines)
Alocasia minuscula: (Borneo)
Alocasia monticola: (New Guinea)
Alocasia x mortfontanensis: (unplaced name)
Alocasia navicularis: (Himalaya)
Alocasia nebula: (Borneo)
Alocasia nicolsonii: (New Guinea)
Alocasia odora: Night-scented Lily (SE Asia, China)
Alocasia pangeran: (Borneo)
Alocasia peltata: (Borneo)
Alocasia perakensis: (Malaysia)
Alocasia portei: (New Guinea)
Alocasia princeps: (Malaysia)
Alocasia principiculus: (Borneo)
Alocasia puber: (Java)
Alocasia puteri: (Borneo)
Alocasia putii: (Thailand) (unplaced name)
Alocasia pyrospatha: (New Guinea)
Alocasia ramosii: (Philippines)
Alocasia rapiformis: (Myanmar) (unplaced name)
Alocasia regina: (Borneo)
Alocasia reginula: Black Velvet (cultivated)
Alocasia reversa: (Philippines)
Alocasia ridleyi: (Borneo)
Alocasia robusta: (Borneo)
Alocasia x rodigasiana: (unplaced name)
Alocasia sanderiana: (Malaysia)
Alocasia sarawakensis: (Borneo)
Alocasia scabriuscula: (Borneo)
Alocasia scalprum: (Philippines)
Alocasia x sedeni: (unplaced name)
Alocasia simonsiana: (New Guinea)
Alocasia sinuata: (Malaysia)
Alocasia suhirmaniana: (Sulawesi)
Alocasia x van-houtteana: (unplaced name)
Alocasia venusta: (Borneo)
Alocasia wentii: New Guinea Shield (New Guinea)
Alocasia wongii: (Borneo)
Alocasia zebrina: (Philippines)