Tag Archives: Asia

Wolfsbane

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Wolfsbane

Don’t let wolfsbane be the bane of your life!

  • Wolfsbane is a genus of highly toxic perennial plants, found in the mountainous regions across Asia, Europe and North America.
  • The scientific name of the wolfsbane is Aconitum and it is from the family Ranunculaceae, the family of buttercups.
  • ‘Wolfsbane’ is also known as ‘monkshood’, ‘aconite’, ‘blue rocket’, ‘devil’s helmet’ and ‘women’s bane’, among others; and it is said to have been used as a method of killing troublesome wolves, hence one of the plant’s common names.
  • Wolfsbane typically grows to be a height of 0.6 to 1.2 metres (2 to 4 feet), and it is often used ornamentally in the garden, especially towards the back of a garden bed.
  • The blooms of wolfsbane are grouped along tall stems, and they are generally a blue or purple colour, though they can also be pink, yellow or white.
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Wolfsbane
Image courtesy of Randi Hausken/Flickr
  • Wolfsbane flowers are similar in appearance to a monk’s hood, and what appears to be five petals, are actually sepals.
  • Wolfsbane consists of pseudaconitine, a toxin that is very poisonous, and a person (or animal) can be poisoned by consuming any part of the plant, though touching the plant may also be hazardous, especially if one has open cuts or abrasions.
  • Wolfsbane poisoning can cause vomiting or nausea early on, leading to a burning feeling, weakness and numbness, and it usually affects the heart, often causing death within a short time-frame if left untreated.
  • Sunny locations are preferred by wolfsbane plants, although they can still survive in shade, and they grow from tubers; or new plants can be started from seed.
  • The toxic attribute of wolfsbane plants has not been neglected throughout history, as it has been used for both hunting, particularly for poison arrows, and assassination.
Bibliography:
Aconitum, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum
Buchan U, How to Grow: Monkshood, 2015, The Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/11215801/How-to-grow-Monkshood.html
Rhoades J, Aconitum Monkshood: What is the Best Way to Grow Monkshood in the Garden, Gardening Know How, http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamenta l/flowers/monkshood/growing-monkshood-plants.htm

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Breadfruit

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Breadfruit

Breadfruit is as much a staple as bread itself.

  • Breadfruit is a species of exotic fruit believed to be native to New Guinea and other nearby Pacific islands; and the fruit has yellow to light green skin when ripe, with a texture that is generally rough.
  • Numerous varieties of breadfruit have been developed, and the fruit grows on a tree with the scientific name Artocarpus altilis, from the family Moraceae, the family of figs and mulberries.
  • Depending on the variety, breadfruit is generally an oblong, round or ovoid shape, and can be 10 to 40 centimetres (4 to 16 inches) in length, between 7.5 to 33 cm (3 to 13 inches) in diameter, and can range in weight between 250 grams to 6 kilograms (0.5 to 13 pounds).
  • The texture and smell of breadfruit when cooked, is suggestive of bread, hence the fruit’s common name.
  • Breadfruit is typically cooked, in the form of roasting, boiling, baking, frying and the like, and is often mashed, or made into chips; or processed into flour; though some varieties of the fruit are eaten raw or used in dessert dishes or baked goods; and the seeds are also used as a food.
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Breadfruit
Image courtesy of Philip Tellis/Flickr
  • The tree of breadfruit can bear large quantities of fruit each season, generally from 50 to 200 individual fruits, which is somewhat determined by growing conditions and variety.
  • Breadfruit is found widespread in tropical areas today, spreading from its native home across the Pacific by islanders, and to the Caribbean by conquerors.
  • The flesh of breadfruit is usually a white to yellow colour, with a flavour that is much like that of a potato, and it is quite starchy and somewhat bland, though when very ripe, it is typically soft and sweet.
  • Breadfruit is very high in potassium and vitamin C, is a good source of carbohydrates and fibre, and has many other vitamins and minerals.
  • Breadfruit was once used to inexpensively feed slaves, and it has been cultivated as a staple food due to its versatility, significant energy content, and large yield capacity.
Bibliography:
Breadfruit, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadfruit
Breadfruit, n.d, Australian Tropical Foods, http://www.australiantropicalfoods.com/index.php/exotic-fruits/breadfruit/
Siler J, ‘Food of the Future’ Has One Hitch: It’s All But Inedible, 2011, The Wall Street Journal, http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203752604576645242121126386
Breadfruit, 2016, National Tropical Botanical Garden, http://ntbg.org/breadfruit/breadfruit/
Breadfruit, n.d, Purdue Agriculture, https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/breadfruit.html

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Durian

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Durian

Can you brave the stench of a durian?

  • Durians are a species of exotic fruit, originating in Southeast Asia, and due to their overwhelming smell and appearance, ‘durians’ are known as the ‘King of Fruits’ in their native area.
  • Durians grow on a genus of trees with the scientific classification of Durio, from the family Malvaceae, the family of mallows, and while there are around 30 species in the genus, only about 9 of those have edible fruit – the most commonly cultivated one has the scientific name Durio zibethinus.
  • The length of the typically ovoid to spherical durian is generally between 15 and 30 centimetres (6 to 12 inches), with a diameter of 12 to 15 centimetres (5 to 6 inches), and they usually weigh between 1 to 8 kilograms or more (2.2 to 17.6 pounds).
  • The odour emitted by durian flesh is generally considered pungent, most commonly compared to excrement, onions and turpentine fuel, and other unpleasant smells, although some find the smell agreeable.
  • The smell of a durian can be quite difficult to remove from enclosed areas after exposure, leading to its ban in some public spaces like buses or other public vehicles, and in tourist accommodation, in much of Southeast Asia.
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Durian
Image courtesy of Kazue Asano/Flickr
  • Depending on the species, the spiky skin of durians can be a green, yellow, orange, or red colour, with a yellow, orange or red coloured flesh; while 70 to 85% of the fruit’s mass is inedible.
  • Durians have an exquisite taste compared to a combination of custard and almonds, if one can get over the smell, which can alter the actual taste to be oniony.
  • Durian is commonly eaten raw and chilled, and in sweet foods such as cold desserts, cakes and biscuits, as well as with rice or in curry, and despite being quite expensive, durians are very popular among the locals.
  • The spikes of a durian are thorny, so care needs to be taken when handling one; and when the fruit is ripe, it drops from the tree, which can be potentially fatal if it lands on a person’s head.
  • Fifty known compounds contribute to the smell of durians, four of which were first discovered in the fruit; and the fruit is high in vitamin C and thiamin, and is a good source of manganese, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, copper and fibre, and contains many other vitamins and minerals.
Bibliography:
Durian, 2006, Northern Territory Government, http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Fruit/FF5_durian.pdf
Durian, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian
Stromberg J, Why Does the Durian Fruit Smell So Terrible, 2012, Smithsonian, http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-does-the-durian-fruit-smell-so-terrible-149205532/?no-ist

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Rambutan

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Rambutan

Rambutans are sweet balls of flame and fire.

  • Rambutans are a tropical fruit that grow on trees that are native to Southeast Asia, especially areas of Indonesia and Malaysia.
  • The scientific name of the rambutan fruit tree is Nephelium lappaceum, and it is from the family Sapindaceae, the family of soapberries.
  • The term ‘rambutan’ is derived from the word ‘rambut’ of the Indonesian and Malay languages, and is translated as ‘hair’.
  • Rambutans are a spherical or slightly ovoid shape, typically 3 to 6 centimetres (1.2 to 2.4 inches) in length, with protruding thick spiky hairs.
  • Usually ripe rambutans have a red skin colour, though yellow or orange varieties are available, and they have a flesh coloured white, sometimes with a pink tint.
Rambutan, Red, Fruit, Spiky, Trivia, Food, Culinary, Ten Random Facts Rambutan
Image courtesy of Frank Fox/Flickr
  • Rambutans feature a single seed that some have suggested is poisonous, and while the seed is bitter tasting when raw, it is suggested that once roasted or cooked, it is safe to eat.
  • Rambutan fruit is green before it ripens and should stay on the tree until ripe; and the fruit is popularly cultivated in tropical areas, across Southeast Asia, southern Central America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean.
  • Rambutan fruit have a fresh taste that is quite sweet, similar to lychee and longan fruit.
  • It is common for rambutans to be eaten raw, however they can be made into a jam, or prepared in a salad or dessert.
  • The nutritional content of rambutans is quite small, though varied, though it is a good source of vitamin C, fibre, copper and manganese.
Bibliography:
Rambutan, 2006, Northern Territory Government, http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Fruit/FF13_rambutan.pdf
Rambutan, 2015, Cape Trib, http://www.capetrib.com.au/rambutan.htm
Rambutan, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambutan
Yingling K, What Is the Difference Between the Lychee, Rambutan and Longan?, 2014, Huffpost Taste, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimlai-yingling/lychee-rambutan-and-longan_b_4690073.html

White Bat Plant

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White Bat Plant

How many times did you glance at the white bat plant?

  • White bat plants are a species of relatively large flowering plants, notable for their blooms that have a particularly strange appearance.
  • ‘White bat plants’ are also known as ‘giant bat plants’, ‘giant batflowers’, ‘purple batflowers’, ‘white batflowers’ and ‘cat whiskers plants’.
  • The scientific name of the white bat plant is Tacca integrifolia and it is from the family Dioscoreaceae, the family of yams.
  • White bat plants are native to Southeast Asia, and they grow from rhizomes, in both tropical and subtropical habitats.
  • The flowers of white bat plants tend to resemble the face of a bat, featuring a purple, plum or brown main flower colour, white whisker-like appendages and large white with purple upper bracts.
White Bat Plant, Ten Random Facts, Trivia, Petal, Large, Appearance, Strange, Plant
White Bat Plant
Image courtesy of Scott Zona/Flickr
  • White bat plants grow to be roughly 60 to 122 centimetres (24 to 48 inches) in height and their whiskers can grow as long as 71 centimetres (28 inches).
  • White bat plants are perennials that tend to die off in the winter months, and they grow best in partial or full shade.
  • Typically, white bat plants are grown for ornamental purposes, however they can be hard to obtain, and also difficult to care for.
  • White bat plants usually bloom during warm months, generally in spring and summer, with up to eight flowers blooming per plant each year.
  • The normally large, glossy green leaves of white bat plants, can turn black when the temperature is too cold.
Bibliography:
Black Bat Plant & White Bat Flower Plant, 2014, Daylilies in Australia, https://www.dayliliesinaustralia.com.au/black-bat-plant-white-bat-flower-plant/
Giant Bat Plant, 2009, Paradise Distributors, http://paraplants.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63%3Atip-of-the-week&Itemid=27
Tacca integrifolia, 2016, Nurseries Online, http://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/plant-index/tropical-plants/tacca-integrifolia/
VanZile J, White Batflower – Growing Tacca Integrifolia Indoors, 2015, About Home, http://houseplants.about.com/od/More_Plant_Profiles/p/White-Batflower-Growing-Tacca-Integrifolia-Indoors.htm
White Bat Plant, 2015, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/flowering-plants-shrubs/white-bat-plant/#.VxSTd_l96Uk

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Immortal Jellyfish

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Immortal Jellyfish

Something that can live forever like the immortal jellyfish is a very curious thing.

  • Immortal jellyfish are a species of jellyfish found in the oceans near Japan and the Mediterranean area, though populations of them are popping up in various areas across the globe, and their movement to new areas is thought to be assisted by their travel in water held in the base of ships.
  • The scientific name of an immortal jellyfish is Turritopsis dohrnii and it is from the family Oceaniidae, a family of hydrozoans, and the species has also been dubbed as the ‘Benjamin Button jellyfish’.
  • Immortal jellyfish start life as larvae, that develop into polyps that have a similar appearance to soft coral, before they reach the mature jellyfish stage.
  • Immortal jellyfish adults are very small in size, reaching approximately 4.5 to 10 millimetres (0.18 to 0.4 inches) in diameter, and they are a transparent colour, sometimes with a vivid red stomach in its centre.
  • Immortal jellyfish are best known for their ability to avoid death from old age or severe wounds, by reverting back into a polyp form from being an adult jellyfish, by altering their cells – a process called ‘transdifferentiation’.
Immortal Jellyfish, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Animal, Yellow, Transparent, Death Defying, Tentacle, Turritopsis dohrnii
An Immortal Jellyfish
Image courtesy of Discovery News/Youtube
  • As a result of reversions, immortal jellyfish can create numerous exact duplicates of themselves, as one polyp can release a number of medusae (jellyfish).
  • Triggers that can cause immortal jellyfish to revert to polyps include old age, stress, illness, injuries and feeling threatened, though as yet, they have not been seen reverting from adult to polyp forms in their ocean environment, but rather only in laboratory settings.
  • The immortal jellyfish of the species Turritopsis dohrnii, is often confused with the visually-similar Turritopsis nutricula and Turritopsis rubra, with images and common names of the three species frequently confused with each other.
  • Despite the immortal’s jellyfish ability to refrain from dying from age, rendering it fairly immortal, the animal can be killed by disease or by natural marine predators.
  • The immortal jellyfish’s strange properties were first discovered in 1988, by Christian Sommer from Germany, who was studying to be a marine biologist, and this kick-started significant interest in and further research of the jellyfish.
Bibliography:
The Immortal Jellyfish, 2015, American Museum of Natural History, http://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/on-exhibit-posts/the-immortal-jellyfish/
Immortal Jellyfish, n.d, Immortal Jellyfish, http://immortal-jellyfish.com/
Rich N, Can a Jellyfish Unlock the Secret of Immortality, 2012, The New York Times Magazine, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/magazine/can-a-jellyfish-unlock-the-secret-of-immortality.html?_r=0
Turritopsis dohrnii, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii
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