Category Archives: Vegetation

Frangipani

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Frangipani

Beautiful flowers…

  • Frangipanis are flowering plants from the family Apocynaceae, which is the family of dogbane, and their official name is Plumeria, which they are often called.
  • Frangipanis are shrubs and small trees that are mostly deciduous.
  • Frangipanis are native to Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, although they can now be found in most tropical areas.
  • Frangipanis don’t contain any nectar, and therefore deceive the insects that come to pollinate it by its sweet, fragant scent.
  • Sphinx moths pollinate frangipanis at night, when the scent of the flower is the strongest.

Flower, White, Yellow, Frangipani, Plumeria, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Plumerias were named after botanist Charles Plumier, and frangipani, after a noble Italian, Marquis Frangipani, who invented a perfume that smelt like plumeria.
  • Frangipanis can grow from its own cuttings to form another plant.
  • Frangipani flowers can be white, pink, yellow, cerise, or red in colour, or can be mulitcoloured.
  • Frangipanis have five petals, with centres that are usually different coloured to the outer section of the petal.
  • Frangipanis are the national flower of Laos and are known as ‘Dok Champa’.
Bibliography:
Plumeria 21 February 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria>

Celosia

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Celosia

Flame headed flowers.

  • Celosia are plants with beautiful blooming flowers that are used for decoration in the garden, and can be eaten.
  • Celosia are plants from the amaranthaceae, which is the family of amaranth.
  • Celosia comes from the Greek word κηλος, pronounced kelos, meaning burned, referring to the flower heads that look like flames.
  • Celosia are also known as woolflowers and cockscomb.
  • Celosia is often used for medicinal purposes to treat intestinal worms; blood diseases; mouth and eye problems; and the seeds can be used to treat chest problems and the flowers as a treatment for diarrhoea.

Celosia, Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Line, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • One thousand celosia seeds weigh 1-1.2 grams (0.035-0.042 ounces).
  • Celosia are native to South America, tropical Africa, and the South and East parts of Asia.
  • Most parts of celosia are commonly eaten in stews, and is a staple food of Nigeria.
  • The leaves of celosia have a taste similar to spinach.
  • Celosia are easy to grow almost anywhere, and are generally resistant to disease and pests.
Bibliography:
Celosia 28 February 2013 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celosia>

Photinia

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Photinia

Reddy, hedgy plants.

  • Photinia are trees or shrubs that grow 3m to 15m tall.
  • Photinia are native to the warmer temperatures of Asia and there are between 40 and 60 species.
  • Photinia sometimes have thorns on their branches.
  • Photinia bloom in early summer and have white, five petalled flowers that smell like hawthorn.
  • Photinia produce numerous berries that are small and red in colour.

Photinia, Red leaves, Green, Sun, Hedge, Tall, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • The berries of Photonia are eaten by birds which spread the seeds of the plant in their droppings.
  • Firethorns, cotoneasters and hawthorns are related to Photinias.
  • Photinia are commonly used for decorative purposes in the garden ands some species are a popular hedge plant.
  • Throughout spring and summer, the new leaves on many Photinia cultivars are a beautiful red, which turn green when the foliage ages.
  • Some Photinia cultivars are poisonous, especially for mammals that chew the cud.
Bibliography:
Photinia 26 February 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photinia>

Duranta

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Duranta

Do you call it a weed?

  • Duranta is also known as Golden Dewdrop, Pigeon Berry and Skyflower.
  • Duranta is from the family Verbenaceae which is the verbena family and there are 17 different species.
  • Duranta is native to the Americas and the Caribbean.
  • Duranta can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height depending on the species.
  • Mature duranta have thorns and bloom light blue, violet or white coloured flowers.

Duranta, Purple Violet Flowers, Small, Tree, Bush, Bloom, Pretty, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Duranta have yellow or orange coloured berry fruit.
  • The berries and leaves of duranta are poisonous, and have killed children, cats and dogs.
  • Duranta was named in honour of a 16th century Italian botanist and physician, Castor Durantes.
  • Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to duranta’s brightly coloured flowers.
  • Duranta is known as a weed in Australia, South Africa and China.
Bibliography:
Duranta erecta 5 December 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duranta_erecta>

Mondo Grass

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Mondo Grass

Swishy sway.

  • Mondo grass is an evergreen, small grassy plant.
  • Mondo grass is also known as fountain plant, monkey grass, dragon’s beard and snake’s beard and its official name is Ophiopogon japonicus.
  • Mondo grass is native to Japan.
  • Mondo grass plants range from 10 – 30 cm (4 – 12 inches) in height, depending on the variety.
  • Mondo grass produce small white or pale lilac coloured flowers.

Mondo Grass, Lily, Japanese, Dragons beard, Fountain, Row, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Mondo grass produces a blue berry which is about 5 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter.
  • Mondo grass is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
  • Some people use Mondo grass as an aquatic plant, which normally dies if not kept in the right underwater temperature.
  • Mondo grass blooms in late Spring and early Summer.
  • Although some people think Mondo grass is a type of grass, it is actually a type of lily.
Bibliography:
Ophiopogon Japonicus 16 July 2012 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiopogon_japonicus>

Alyssum

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Alyssum

Sweet small flowers.

  • Alyssum is also known as sweet alyssum or sweet alison.
  • Alyssum is an annual flowering, small, bushy plant that grows to about 5 – 30 cm (2-12 inches) in height.
  • Alyssum’s scientific name is Lobularia maritima or Alyssum maritimum, which comes from the Greek words meaning ‘small pod’ and ‘marine’.
  • Alyssum has clusters of small flowers, approximately 5 mm in diameter, with four petals.
  • Alyssum has flowers that are white, pink, rosey red, violet or lilac in colour.

Alyssum, White, Flower, Plant, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Alyssum flowers have a sweet smell and are pollinated by insects.
  • In its natural environment, alyssum is commonly found growing on beaches or sand dunes.
  • In civilisation, alyssum is commonly found growing in cracks or walls.
  • Alyssum often self seeds in the garden and is commonly found popping up in unexpected places.
  • Alyssum is native to coastal areas and islands in and surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the European islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Bibliography:
Lobularia Maritima 3 February 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobularia_maritima>
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