Tag Archives: Africa

Cyclamen

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Cyclamen

Cyclamen… a hardy but beautiful plant.

  • Cyclamens are flowering perennial plants, that grow from tubers and are also called ‘sowbread’, as the tubers have been commonly eaten by wild pigs.
  • Cyclamens are native to parts of Europe, north Africa and west Asia.
  • Cyclamens were originally considered to belong to the family Primulaceae, the family of primroses, but are now considered to be part of the family Myrsinaceae, the family of myrsine.
  • Cyclamens develop flowers with five petals that point upwards, in various shades of white, red, pink or purple colours.
  • There are approximately 20 species of cyclamens, and they have different flowering seasons, depending on the species.

Cyclamen, Red, Green, Flower, Plant, Large, Fence, Decorative, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Cyclamens can be found in woody or rocky areas, and are generally hardy plants, although some species do not cope with frost.
  • Cyclamens prefer shady conditions and are popularly used as a decorative house or garden plant, and are often grown in pots.
  • Cyclamen leaves are are often heart shaped, and typically green with sometimes a red coloured underside, and the leaves usually have a distinctive pattern in a lighter colour.
  • Cyclamens grow to be 15 to 25 centimetres (6 to 10 inches) in height and the flowers usually sit above the leaves of the plant on thin stems.
  • Some cyclamens go dormant in summer and appear to be dead, however, they will generally re-sprout leaves in autumn.
Bibliography:
Cyclamen, 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Flowering-Plants-and-Shrubs/Cyclamen/1296
Cyclamen, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclamen
Perry L, Considering Cyclamen, n.d., University of Vermont Extension, http://perrysperennials.info/articles/cyclamen.html

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Cheetah

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Cheetah

These cheetah facts do not cheat like a cheater.

  • Cheetahs are a large feline, or ‘big cat’ found in Africa and the Middle East, and were once found in India.
  • A cheetah is from the family Felidae, the family of cats, and its scientific name is Acinonyx jubatus, a group that can be divided into six accepted subspecies.
  • Cheetahs, being the fastest land animals, can run at speeds up to 120 kilometres per hour (75 miles per hour), and can accelerate to a top speed in three seconds.
  • ‘Cheetah’ comes from the Hindi word for leopard, ‘cītā‘, that has its origins in the Sanskrit word ‘citrakāyah’, that literally means ‘variegated body’.
  • Cheetahs grow to be 1.1 to 1.5 metres (3.6 to 4.9 feet) in length and 21 to 72 kilograms (46 to 159 pounds) in weight, have light tan coloured fur decorated with black 2 to 3 centimetre (0.8 to 1.2 inch) diameter spots, black rings on the end section of their tail, and keen eyesight.
A Cheetah on patrol in the vast grassland plains hunts for Gazelles.
Cheetah
Image courtesy of National Geographic
  • Cheetahs have a typical lifespan in the wild of up to 12 years, although as many as nine out of ten cheetah cubs become food for hyenas, lions, and other animals.
  • Male cheetahs generally live in groups of 2 or 3, although they often live alone, while females are solitary, and give birth to 4 cubs on average, and up to 9 is possible.
  • A cheetah’s diet consists of mammals like gazelles and other antelopes, as well as smaller animals, and they hunt by stalking and chasing their prey which they usually do during early morning and early evening.
  • Cheetahs were historically tamed for hunting purposes in Ancient Egypt, Persia and India, and are currently illegally hunted for their fur, as well as being a vulnerable species, endangered with habitat loss.
  • Cheetahs can go without water for three or four days, as their prey supplies some of the moisture they require, and they communicate through various noises including chirps, purring, growling, hissing and yowling, among others.
Bibliography: Cheetah, 2014, San Diego Zoo, http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/cheetah
Cheetah, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah

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Spear Thistle

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Spear Thistle

Spear thistles are not used as weapons… but can hurt!

  • Spear thistles are a biennial or annual thistle plant native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa.
  • Spear thistles have the scientific name Cirsium vulgare and they are from the family Asteraceae, the family of asters, sunflowers and daisies.
  • ‘Spear thistles’ are also known as ‘bull thistles’, ‘black thistles’,  ‘scotch thistles’  ‘Fuller’s thistles’, ‘swamp thistles’ and ‘common thistles’ among others.
  • Spear thistles grow to be 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 5 feet) in height, with flower stems at the end of the branches, and look similar to the well known Scotch thistle or cotton thistle, although they are a different species of plant and have the scientific name Onopordum acanthium.
  • Spear thistles have flower heads that are bristle like and are coloured pink to purple, and the plant has green, sharp spiny leaves.

Spear Thistle, Green, Purple, Pink, Flower, Dead, Green, Ten Random Facts, Australia, Plant, Weed, Spiky, Prickly,

  • Spear thistles are classified as a noxious and an environmental weed in some countries, and is a particular problem in Australia, parts of the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • Spear thistles typically grow in sunny open areas, such as paddocks and fields.
  • Spear thistle stems, flowers, roots, and seeds can be eaten and the stems and leaves can be peeled and then steamed or boiled.
  • Spear thistles flower during spring to autumn, but only in their second year of growth.
  • Spear thistle plants have been used medicinally and parts of the plant can be made into paper.
Bibliography:
Bull Thistle, 2014, King Country, http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/bull-thistle.aspx
Cirsium vulgare, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_vulgare

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Coriander Seeds

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Coriander Seeds

Coriander seeds are actually fruit!

  • Coriander seeds are used as a spice to flavour cooking, and are also known as ‘dhania’ and ‘coriandi seeds’.
  • Coriander seeds are the fruit of an annual herb that grows up to 50 centimetre (20 inch) high.
  • Coriander seeds are believed to be native to the Mediterranean and Middle East areas.
  • Coriander seeds are from the family Apiaceae, the family of carrots and parsley, and come from the plant that has the scientific name of Coriandrum sativum or common names ‘cilantro’, ‘Chinese parsley’ and ‘Mexican parsley’.
  • Coriander seeds are often used in curries, as well as in the spice mix ‘garam masala’, and is commonly found in dishes particularly from Southeast Asia to Africa to the Middle East.

Coriander Seeds, white, spice, fruit, Ten Random Facts, Bowl,

  • Coriander seeds are high in manganese, calcium, magnesium and iron.
  • Coriander seeds have the flavour of lemon citrus and nuts, and they generally help thicken the sauces that they are usually found in.
  • Coriander seeds are commonly used ground or whole, roasted, dried or fresh.
  • There are different varieties of coriander that produce different sized coriander seeds, and they range from 1.5 to 5 millimetres (0.06 to 0.2 inches) in diameter.
  • Coriander seeds have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes to treat a wide variety of ailments and they are said to have anti-diabetic properties.
Bibliography:
Coriander, 2006, OzPolitic, http://www.ozpolitic.com/gardening/coriander.html
Coriander, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriander

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Blue Plumbago

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Blue Plumbago

Pretty, pretty blue plumbagos.

  • ‘Blue plumbagos’ are also known as ‘cape plumbagos’ and ‘cape leadworts’.
  • Blue plumbagos are from the family of Plumbaginaceae, which is the family of plumbagos and leadworts.
  • Blue plumbagos are decorative perennial flowering bushes that can climb, which are native to South Africa.
  • Blue plumbagos can grow up to be 6 metres (20 feet) in height, and sunny and semi-shaded areas are the best spots for them to grow.
  • Blue plumbagos have flowers that bloom in different shades of both blue and white that mainly flower in summer and autumn, and sticky hairs that are found near the flowers.

Blue Plambago, Flower, cape, Auriculanta, Ten Random Facts, Australia, Plant, Bush, Shrub, Bundle

  • The scientific name of a blue plumbago is ‘Plumbago auriculata’, with ‘auriculata’ referring to the ear-shaped leaves.
  • Blue plumbago flowers are approximately 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) in diameter, and they grown in clusters, and have long tubes at the base of the five petals.
  • Blue plumbagos have won the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society, and are popular in gardens.
  • Blue plumbagos often do not flower on the first year after the planting of its seed, from which it is readily grown.
  • Blue plumbago leaves are green and shiny and can grow up to 5 centimetres (2 inches) in length, that can attract some insect pests.
Bibliography:
Plumbago auriculta, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbago_auriculata
Plumbago auriculta, n.d, Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a542

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Society Garlic

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Society Garlic

Society garlic is not actually garlic.

  • Society garlic is a perennial plant that flowers and grows from a bulbous rhizome, and it is from the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, and the subfamily Allioideae, that was formerly called the Alliceae family (family of onions or alliums).
  • The leaves, flowers and stems of society garlic can be safely used in cuisine, often for garlic-like flavouring, popularly in salads or soups.
  • ‘Society garlic’ is also known as ‘wild garlic’ and is native to southern parts of Africa, and gets its common name for it being the preferred and more ‘polite’ herb for social events among the Dutch settlers there, rather than real garlic.
  • The scientific name of society garlic is ‘Tulbaghia violacea’, named after the mid 1700s governor of the Cape of Good Hope, Ryk Tulbagh, and ‘violacea’ refers to the appearance of the violet-like flowers.
  • Society garlic can grow to be a height of 60 centimetres (24 inches) and has long, thin leaves.

Society Garlic, Flowers, Pink, Onion, Ten Random Facts, Violet, Purple, flower, grass, Australia

  • Society garlic plants typically bloom in late spring, summer and autumn seasons, and have groups of flowers that appear on the top of a long stem.
  • Society garlic flowers are small and star shaped, with six petals and generally appear in shades of purple, most commonly violet.
  • Society garlic is commonly grown for decorative purposes in gardens or pots and has a distinct garlic smell.
  • Society garlic has won the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Society garlic is drought tolerant and generally prefers a sunny position in the garden.
Bibliography:
Tulbaghia violacea – Harv., 2012, Plants for a Future, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Tulbaghia+violacea
Tulbaghia violacea, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulbaghia_violacea
Tulbaghia violacea, 2004, Shireen Harris, http://www.plantzafrica.com/planttuv/tulbaghviol.htm

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