Category Archives: Vegetation

Lamb’s Ear

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Lamb’s Ear

Lamb’s ears are a bit more on the vegetarian side.

  • Lamb’s ears are primarily perennial evergreen plants native to Turkey, Iran and Armenia in Europe.
  • The scientific name of a lamb’s ear plant is Stachys byzantina, from the family Lamiaceae, the family of mint, and the plant is also known as ‘lamb’s tongue’ and ‘woolly woundwort’.
  • The leaves of lamb’s ears have a soft velvety texture and are shaped like the ear of a lamb, hence the common name, and they are a silver grey-green colour, and when the leaves are young, they tend to be more green in colour.
  • Flowers of lamb’s ears bloom during spring and summer on long stems that sit above the plant, and the small flowers range from a pink to purple colour.
  • Lamb’s ears typically grow to be 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 inches) tall, and the flower spikes add another 10 to 22 centimetres (4 to 8.7 inches) to the height of the plant.

Lamb's Ear, Plant, Vegetation, Green, Red, Ten Random Facts, Fuzzy, Group, Australia

  • Lamb’s ears are often used to decorate gardens and recreational areas, and they commonly attract children due to their soft furry texture.
  • The most successful conditions for growing lamb’s ears involve full sun and locations that do not pool water, although they do endure other situations relatively well.
  • Lamb’s ear plants benefit from being divided and it is a good way to obtain more plants, and they can also be grown from seed.
  • Excessive quantities of water and high humidity levels can cause lamb’s ears to become diseased or rot, and they do have the habit of spreading, especially in ideal growing conditions.
  • Lamb’s ear plants have been used as an alternative to toilet paper and medicinally to treat wounds and the like, due to their antiseptic and other medicinal properties, and the leaves are also edible and can be made into a tea.
Bibliography:
Lamb’s Ears, 2014, Plant Care Guides, http://www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=3370
Stachys Byzantina, 2015, Gardening Help, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=p980
Stachys Byzantina, 2015, Perennials.com, http://www.perennials.com/plants/stachys-byzantina.html
Stachys Byzantina, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stachys_byzantina

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Ribwort Plantain

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Ribwort Plantain

Ribwort plantains have a barren look.

  • Ribwort plantain is a plant native to Asia, Europe and North Africa, and depending on the location and growing conditions, it will grow as a perennial, biennial or annual.
  • ‘Ribwort plantains’ are also known as ‘narrowleaf plantains’, ‘English plantains’, ‘buckhorn plaintains’, ‘lamb’s tongues’, ‘rib grass’ and ‘ribleaves’.
  • The scientific name of a ribwort plantain is Plantago lanceolata, and it is from the family Plantaginaceae, the family of plantains.
  • Ribwort plantain leaves grown in a rosette formation, and the underside of the long green leaves always feature five obvious veins.
  • Ribwort plantains typically grow to be approximately 50 centimetres (20 inches) in height, and they have tall flower spikes, with heads that are surrounded by numerous tiny white petals.

Ribwort Plantain, Vegetation, Weed, Australia, Clump, Grass,, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts

  • The bitter leaves of ribwort plantains are edible and can be eaten cooked or raw, while the seeds can be cooked whole or ground like flour.
  • Ribwort plantains are easily grown from seed in low quality soil, with a preference for full sunlight, and as a result, the plants are increasingly used in pastures for livestock fodder.
  • Ribwort plantain plants have been used medicinally for a variety of purposes, including the slowing or stopping of bleeding, and treating  inflammation, and they can be used to hasten skin healing.
  • Countries such as Australia, has seen ribwort plantains introduced, and this has resulted in them being an invasive weed in some areas.
  • Ribwort plantain plants are useful for textile purposes, as they can be made into dye; the fibres from the leaves can be used; and the seeds can be treated to stiffen fabric.
Bibliography:
Environmental Weed Profiles, 2011, Trees For Life, https://www.treesforlife.org.au/sites/default/files/Ribwort%20Plantain_Weed%20Profile.pdf
Plantago lanceolata – L., 2012, Plants For A Future, http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Plantago+lanceolata
Plantago lanceolata, n.d, Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants, http://keys.trin.org.au:8080/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Plantago_lanceolata.htm

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Ponytail Palm

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Ponytail Palm

Ponytail palms fit all the criteria. They are unique, decorative and intriguing.

  • Ponytail palms are evergreen plants that are native to specific eastern areas of America’s Mexico.
  • The ponytail palm belongs to the family Asparagaceae, a family of flowering plants, and it is one of at least nine species in the Beaucarnea genus, and it has the scientific name Beaucarnea recurvata,
  • A ‘ponytail palm’ is also known as an ‘elephant’s foot, a ‘ponytail plant’ and a ‘ponytail palm tree’, and despite its common name, it is not technically a species of palm.
  • Ponytail palms have an enlarged trunk base and long, drooping, green leaves that can be 1 metre (40 inches) long.
  • Ponytail palms became known to Europeans in 1870, when they were discovered by the French, and the plants later became available in various parts of the world.

Ponytail Palm, Flower, Yellow, Backyard, Plant, Vegetation, Australia,

Image courtesy of Val Laird
  • Ponytail palms are perennials that can grow to be 1.8 to 9 metres (6 to 30 feet) in height, and they prefer a sunny position in well-drained soil, and they can tolerate drought conditions.
  • Ponytails palms are commonly used in recreational areas or home gardens for ornamental purposes.
  • The British Royal Horticultural Society has given the ponytail palm the Award of Garden Merit.
  • Water is gathered internally in the base of the ponytail palm trunk; and the plant exterior should not be sitting in water for long periods, as rotting can occur.
  • Ponytail palms usually do not bloom until they are ten years old, and when the plant is mature enough it will flower during summer, with clusters of white to cream flowers.
Bibliography:
Beaucarnea recurvata, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaucarnea_recurvata
How to care for a Ponytail Palm, 2015, Plantcare Today, http://plantcaretoday.com/how-to-care-for-a-ponytail-palm.html
Ponytail Plant, 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/trees-and-palms/ponytail-plant
Rhoades H, Care Instructions For Ponytail Palm – Tips For Growing Ponytail Palms, 2014, Gardening Know How, http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm

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Lime Lava

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Lime Lava

Don’t step on living carpets of lime lava.

  • Lime lava plants are evergreen plants native to New Zealand and the eastern states of Australia; and they prefer higher than normal elevations in subtropical habitats.
  • A ‘lime lava’ plant is also known as a ‘two-flowered knawel’, ‘knawel’, ‘cushion-bush’, ‘cushion plant’ and ‘Canberra grass’.
  • The scientific name of the lime lava plant is Scleranthus biflorus, and it is from the family Caryophyllaceae, the family of carnations.
  • Lime lava plants typically grow horizontally as a perennial plant, and they have very small leaves that are between 0.5 to 1 centimetre (0.2 to 0.4 inches) in length.
  • From a distance, a lime lava plant has the appearance of moss, and the plant boasts a colour of vibrant green.

Lime Lava, Green, Ten Random Facts, Carpet, Australia, Vegetation, Plant, Flat

  • Lime lava plants are used most often for decorative purposes, commonly to line garden edges, featured in rockeries, or as a ground cover.
  • Full sunlight is the best condition for growing lime lava plants and they also prefer moist conditions.
  • Lime lava plants have trouble growing in areas where water collects; and they are generally frost resistant.
  • Lime lava can grow to be 15 centimetres (6 inches) in height and 50 to 80 (20 to 32 inches) centimetres in diameter.
  • Lime lava flowers are very small, and green to yellow in colour, and they flower during spring to autumn.
Bibliography:
Canberra Grass, 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/grasses-ground-covers-lawns/canberra-grass/#.VK9d-IuUd8E
Hibbs B, A patch of lime green – Scleranthus biflorus, 2012, Garden World, http://gardenworld.com.au/2012/06/13/a-patch-of-lime-green-scleranthus-biflorus/
Scleranthus biflorus, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleranthus_biflorus
Scleranthus biflorus, 2015, Bushland Flora, http://www.bushlandflora.com.au/individual_plant.php?p=Scleranthus%20biflorus&uid=1677
Hadlow B, Scleranthus biflorus, 1981, Australian National Botanic Gardens http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp11/scleranthus-biflorus.html

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Marguerite Daisy

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Marguerite Daisy

A marguerite daisy make your garden smile.

  • Marguerite daisies are a group of 24 species of flowering plants, native to the islands of Macaronesia, in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Marguerite daisy plants are also known as ‘marguerites’ and ‘dill daisies’.
  • The scientific name of a marguerite daisy is Argyranthemum, and it is from the family Asteraceae, the family of daisies.
  • Marguerite daisy plants are perennials, that usually have a long flowering period, generally from spring to autumn.
  • Marguerite daisies are typically used as a decorative garden plant, often in flower beds or as a pot plant, and the flowers can also feature in floral arrangements.

Marguerite Daisy, Ten Random Facts, Flower, Vegetation, White, Flickr

  • The flowers of marguerite daisies can be white, pink, purple and yellow in colour, while the petals can be arranged as singles or doubles, sometimes with numerous layers of petals.
  • Many marguerite daisy species have received the Award of Garden Merit, given by the British Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Marguerite daisies are typically small shrubs and grow to a height of 30 to 100 centimetres (1 to 3.3 feet) height.
  • Marguerite daisies grow best in areas that receive full sun, or a large quantity of light, and well drained soil.
  • The native habitat of some species of wild marguerite daisies is being threatened by grazing, humans and erosion, with at least two species endangered, plus one that is critically endangered.

 

Bibliography:
Argyranthemum, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyranthemum
Argyranthemum, 2015, Renaissance Herbs, http://www.renaissanceherbs.com.au/romantic-cottage/argyranthemum
Argyranthemum, n.d, Syngenta Flowers, http://www.syngentaflowers.com/country/us/en/seeds/GrowingGuidelinesLib/Argyranthemum_Final.pdf
Kimberley M, Argyranthemum, 2010, Horticulture Week, http://www.hortweek.com/argyranthemum/article/1008910

Verbena

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Verbena, Pink, White, Flowers, Plant, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Cluster

Make your garden a bloom of delight with verbena.

  • Verbenas are a group of 250 species of plants that flower, and are either grown as annuals or perennials depending on the location and species.
  • Verbenas are from the family Verbenaceae, the family of vervains, that are mostly flowering plants found in tropical areas.
  • A ‘verbena’ plant is also known by the common name ‘vervain’.
  • Verbenas originate mostly from North and South America, as well as from Europe, and they tend to be mainly found in tropical and subtropical habitats.
  • Verbenas have flowers coloured pink, red, blue, purple or white that consist of five petals, that generally grow in clusters on spikes.

Verbena, Pink, White, Flowers, Plant, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Cluster

  • Verbenas are mainly grown for decorative purposes, and they grow best in complete sunlight.
  • Verbenas have been used historically as an ingredient for medicinal purposes, such as herbal tea; while oil can also be extracted from the plant.
  • Verbenas generally have long flowering periods, and they can be found flowering in all months, with the exception of winter.
  • Verbenas grow to be roughly 0.3 to 0.9 metres (1 to 3 feet) in height, and they usually have a spreading habit, making them suitable for hanging baskets.
  • The leaves of verbenas often have a light to heavy covering of hair, while the fruit splits into four parts, each containing one seed.
Bibliography:
Genus Verbena, PlantNET, n.d, http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=gn&name=Verbena
Plant Profile: Verbena, 2014, Gardening Australia, http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866736.htm
Verbena, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbena
Verbena, 2015, Better Homes & Gardens, http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/verbena/

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