Tag Archives: Plant

African Baobab

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African Baobab

African baobabs leave multiple lasting impressions.

  • African baobabs are very large trees native to Africa’s savannah habitats, in areas where there are high temperatures.
  • ‘African baobabs’ are also known as ‘upside-down trees’, ‘baobabs’, ‘monkey-bread trees’, ‘cream of tartar trees’ and ‘dead-rat trees’.
  • The scientific name of an African baobab is Adansonia digitata, and it is from the family Malvaceae, the family of mallows.
  • African baobabs can grow up to 14 metres (46 feet) in diameter and more than 20 metres (66 feet) in height.
  • Oval-shaped, fruit with crumbly or powdery white flesh, is produced by African baobab trees, that are 12 to 20 centimetres (4 to 8 inches) in length, and the flesh is commonly eaten in Africa.
African Baobab, Leaves, Trunk, Africa, Tree, Vegetation, Scene, Flickr, Ten Random Facts
African Baobab
Image courtesy of Michael Janson/Flickr
  • African baobab fruit is considered highly nutritious, being extraordinarily high in calcium, vitamin C and antioxidants.
  • The leaves of the African baobab are used in cooking, and in 2008 and 2009, the fruit was accepted as a legal ingredient in commercial food products in Europe and the United States respectively.
  • African baobabs bloom white-coloured, short-lived flowers that grow 12 to 20 centimetres (4 to 8 inches) in diameter and have five petals and numerous stamens.
  • The roots of an African baobab spread wider than the tree’s height, although they are relatively shallow, and the roots are capable of collecting large quantities of water.
  • An African baobab grows 5 to 10 centimetre (2 to 4 inch) thick bark, that is generally coloured grey or brown, and due to its fibrous nature it is used to make fishing nets, mats, bags, rope and other items.
Bibliography:
Adansonia digitata, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adansonia_digitata
Baobab, n.d, Encyclopaedia of Life, http://eol.org/pages/584789/overview
Hankey A, Adansonia digitata, 2004, Plantz Africa, http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/adansondigit.htm

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Thyme

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Thyme, Plant, Herb, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Green, Australia, Food, Culinary

Thyme will spice up your dishes in no time.

  • Thyme is an edible, perennial herb commonly used in cooking and there are approximately 60 varieties of the plant.
  • Thyme comes from the genus Thymus, that is from the family Lamiaceae, the family of mint, and the commonly used species for cooking purposes is Thymus vulgaris, also known as ‘common’, ‘garden’, and ‘German’.
  • In ancient history, thyme was used for purification purposes and was believed to provide courage or be symbolic of bravery.
  • The typical purpose of thyme is to flavour foods, such as meat, soups, bread, cheese, tea beverages and condiments, among others.
  • Thyme can be bought as a packaged dried herb from supermarkets, and it is also available in fresh bunches, and both leaves and stalks can be used.

Thyme, Plant, Herb, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Green, Australia, Food, Culinary

  • The extracted oil of thyme, contains large quantities of thymol, that has antiseptic qualities, that is included in some medical and health products, and the herb can be used to treat bronchitis.
  • For food use, it is preferable to use fresh thyme, which has tiny green leaves approximately 4 mm (0.16 inches) long, while dried versions are generally crushed into even smaller particles that are coloured a combination of grey, green and brown.
  • Dried thyme is very high in vitamin K and high in manganese and iron, while the fresh version contains significant quantities of vitamin C and A, iron and manganese.
  • Thyme plants generally grow from 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16 inches) tall and have white, purple or yellow flowers depending on the species.
  • The flavour of thyme varies, depending on the variety or species, although the most common is said to have a peppery, pine-like flavour, while the lemon species has a more citrus-like flavour.
Bibliography:
Thyme, 2015, The World’s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=77
Thyme, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyme

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Baby’s Breath

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Baby’s Breath

Baby’s breath are innocent little flowers, aren’t they?

  • Baby’s breath is a group of perennial and annual plants that produces flowers, and the genus contains approximately 35 species.
  • Areas of Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific are the native locations of baby’s breath.
  • Baby’s breath has the scientific name Gypsophila and it is from the family Caryophyllaceae, the family of carnations.
  • ‘Baby’s breath’ is also known as ‘soap root’, ‘chalk plant’ and ‘gyp’, and the plants are generally grown from seed.
  • The scientific name of Baby’s breath – ‘Gypsophila’ – comes from the words ‘gypsos’ and ‘philos’, meaning ‘gypsum’ and ‘loving’ respectively in Greek.

Baby's Breath, Plant, Vegetation, White, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Baby’s breath generally grows to heights of 15 to 90 centimetres (6 to 35.5 inches), depending on the species, and in most cases they grow best in full sun.
  • The five-petalled flowers of baby’s breath can be white, pink, or violet and they bloom during spring and summer months.
  • The baby’s breath plant often grown for decorative purposes has the scientific name Gypsophila paniculata, and it is commonly used as a cut flower to give a delicate look in arrangements and bouquets.
  • Some baby’s breath species have edible roots, and the plants and roots are also grown for and used as a medical ingredient.
  • Although baby’s breath plants are commonly grown for commercial purposes, some areas have designated some species of the plant as an invasive weed.
Bibliography:
Gypsophila, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsophila
How to Grow Gypsophila, 2015, Gardeners HQ, http://www.gardenershq.com/Gypsophilia-baby-breath.php

 

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Crooked Forest

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Crooked Forest

Don’t go crook watching the Crooked Forest!

  • Crooked Forest is a group of pine trees that are abnormally distorted and bent near the base of the tree trunks, and as a result the trunks have grown in a significant ‘c’ shaped curve.
  • The location of Crooked Forest is in Poland’s province of West Pomerania, in Europe, near the town of Gryfino.
  • The bends in the Crooked Forest tree trunks are at roughly right angles and generally in the direction of due north.
  • Farmers are said to have planted the Crooked Forest in approximately 1930, making the trees roughly 85 years old in 2015.
  • Crooked Forest features roughly 400 trees, that are arranged in 22 rows.
Crooked Forest, Bent, Trees, Poland, Polish, Wonder, Mysterious, Ten Random Facts
Crooked Forest
Image courtesy of Lisa/Flickr
  • It is widely believed that the trees of Crooked Forest were purposely bent via the use of a tool or machine, up to 10 years after planting.
  • Theories of the cause of the bending of the trees in the Crooked Forest are many, and some have said that it is a result of heavy snow covering, weird gravity forces and army tank flattening.
  • It is likely that the trees in the Crooked Forest were grown in a peculiar way to create boat hull framing or furniture.
  • The owners of the Crooked Forest probably abandoned their grove of trees during World War II’s impending Polish invasion.
  • Tourists visiting the area commonly visit Crooked Forest, along with the region’s other interesting sites.
Bibliography:
Alford J, What Could Have Caused Poland’s Crooked Forest?, 2014, IFL Science, http://www.iflscience.com/environment/what-could-have-caused-polands-crooked-forest
Crooked Forest, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crooked_Forest
Mysterious Photos of Unexplainable ‘Crooked Forest’ In Poland, Earth Porm, http://www.earthporm.com/mysterious-photos-unexplainably-crooked-forest-poland/
Poland’s Mysterious Crooked Forest, 2011, World of Mysteries, http://www.themysteryworld.com/2011/09/polands-mysterious-crooked-forest.html

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Stargazer Lily

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Stargazer Lily

The stargazer lily really catches your eye.

  • A Stargazer lily is a hybrid flowering perennial plant and is classified as an ‘Oriental’ lily, and it is also known as the ‘Star Gazer lily’.
  • Stargazer lilies are from the Lilium genus, and they have the cultivar name ‘Stargazer’ and are from the Liliaceae family, the family of lilies.
  • The Stargazer lily plant typically grows to heights of 60 to 90 centimetres (29 to 36 inches).
  • Stargazer lilies are commonly used as ornamental or cut flowers, due to their beauty and pleasant fragrance.
  • The flowers of Stargazer lilies are generally coloured light to deep pink, with dark coloured textured spots, and the petals have a white edge.

Stargazer Lily, Pink, Flower, But, Bouquet, Australia, Vegetation, Plant, Lillium, Ten Random Facts

  • The flowers of Stargazer lilies bloom during summer months, and the plant is typically grown from the division of bulbs.
  • The Stargazer lily was bred by a Californian plant breeder, Leslie Woodriff, in the 1970s, and he developed many hybrid lilies and begonias.
  • The flowers of Stargazer lilies are large, growing to be 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) in diameter, and they grow towards the sky, appearing to gaze upwards.
  • The best growing positions for Stargazer lily plants are in full sun in the garden, and they can also be grown in pots.
  • Stargazer lilies contain poison that affect cats, making them sick, and fatalities are also possible.
Bibliography:
Lilium ‘Stargazer’, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_’Stargazer’
Lilium ‘Stargazer’, 2015, Fine Gardening, http://www.finegardening.com/lily-lilium-star-gazer
Oriental Lily Lilium ‘Star Gazer’, 2015, Dave’s Garden, http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1427/#b
Lilium ‘Stargazer’, 2015, Perennials.com, http://www.perennials.com/plants/lilium-star-gazer.html

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Ivory Curl

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Ivory Curl

An ivory curl gives an Australian touch to an Aussie garden.

  • Ivory curls are a species of tree, native to Queensland rainforest habitats north of Townsville, in north eastern Australia.
  • An ivory curl tree is one of the two species in its genus, and the scientific name is Buckinghamia celsissima, which is from the family Proteaceae, a family of flowering plants.
  • ‘Ivory curls’ are also known as ‘ivory curl trees’, ‘spotted silky oaks’ and ‘spotted silkies’.
  • Ivory curls can grow up to 10 to 30 metres (33 to 100 feet) in height, although different climates may reduce its growth, causing it to reach shorter heights.
  • The flower spikes of ivory curls form a long, cylindrical shape, and are typically cream to white in colour.

Ivory Curl, Tree, Yellow, Flower, Side, Tall, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Ivory curls are commonly grown for ornamental purposes, especially as street or garden trees.
  • The leaves of ivory curls are smooth and a lush green on the upper side, while the underneath tends to be a lighter silvery white colour, and they generally grow to be 8 to 16 centimetres (3.1 to 6.3 inches) in length.
  • Ivory curls grow best in low humidity tropical conditions, particularly in full sunlight, although it is a hardy tree, and tends to be drought tolerant, as well as resistant to many diseases and pests.
  • Ivory curl trees can be grown by seeds or cuttings, and the tree can be pruned to keep it small.
  • Ivory curl trees generally bloom profusely during the months of summer and autumn, and the flowers are fragrant, and birds and bees are attracted to them.
Bibliography:
Buckinghamia Celsissima, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckinghamia_celsissima
Buckinghamia Celissima, n.d, Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants, http://keys.trin.org.au/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Buckinghamia_celsissima.htm
Buckinghamia celsissima ‘Ivory curl flower’, 2011, Society for Growing Australian Plants, http://www.sgapqld.org.au/Jan11%20Buck%20Cel.pdf
Fact Sheet: Buckinghamia celsissima, 2014, Gardening Australia, http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1335127.htm

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