Tag Archives: Plant

Indian Hawthorn

By | |
Leave a comment
Indian Hawthorn

Are Indian hawthorns welcome, or weeds?

  • Indian hawthorns are evergreen flowering plants that are native to China and a number of countries in south east Asia.
  • The scientific name of an Indian hawthorn plant is Rhaphiolepis indica, that comes from the family Rosaceae, the family of roses.
  • ‘Indian hawthorns’ are also known as ‘India hawthorns’ and ‘cherry laurels’, and they grow well in subtropical areas.
  • Indian hawthorns can grow to be 0.6 to 4.5 metres (2 to 15 feet) in height, although the average is around 2 metres (6.5 feet).
  • Indian hawthorns have small, pink to white coloured flowers that are seen most often in spring and summer, with five petals and many stamens in the centre, as well as a sweet fragrance.

Indian Hawthorn, Flower, Plant, White, Red, Pink, Ten Random Facts, Flickr, Australia

  • Indian hawthorns are commonly used for decorative purposes in the garden, and they are suitable to use as hedges, and can be grown as bonsai.
  • The leaves of Indian hawthorn plants are generally dark green, glossy and thick, with serrated edges.
  • The best conditions for growing Indian hawthorns is full sun; and unfortunately they have become a weed in some areas due to their ability to grown readily from seed.
  • As the plant is quite robust, an Indian hawthorn plant is not bothered by salt, thus it can be grown on the coast, and it is also frost resistant.
  • After flowering, small black to purple, roughly spherical berries form, that are between 5 and 10 mm (0.2 and 0.4 inches) in diameter, that are said to be useful for making jam.
Bibliography:
Indian Hawthorn, 2011, Weeds of Australia, http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/Rhaphiolepis_indica.htm
Indian Hawthorns – Qantas, 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/flowering-plants-shrubs/indian-hawthorn-qantas-amazing-australia/#.VPwDZIuUd8E
Raphiolepis Indica, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhaphiolepis_indica

Amazon:     

Lindheimer’s Beeblossom

By | |
Leave a comment
Lindheimer’s Beeblossom

Lindheimer’s beeblossoms must be a bee favourite.

  • Lindheimer’s beeblossoms are perennial plants that produce an abundance of flowers, although in some areas they are grown as annuals.
  • The Lindheimer’s beeblossom plant has the scientific name Oenothera lindheimeri, and it was previously known as Gaura lindheimeri, and it is from the family Onagraceae, the family of evening primroses or willow herbs.
  • ‘Lindheimer’s beeblossoms’ are also known as ‘Leindheimer’s clockweed’, butterfly bush’, ‘clockweed’, ‘gaura’, ‘white gaura’, ‘pink gaura’ and ‘Indian feather’.
  • Lindheimer’s beeblossoms are native to the United State’s southern states of Texas and Louisiana, in North America.
  • The height of Lindheimer’s beeblossom plants range from 50 to 150 centimetres (20 – 59 inches), and they have small green leaves.

Lindheimer's Beeblossom, Plant, Vegetation, Pink, Flowers, Bloom, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Lindheimer’s beeblossom plants generally bloom during the months of summer and autumn, and sometimes spring.
  • The flowers of Lindheimer’s beeblossoms are 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 inches) in diameter; are generally coloured white or pink, with four petals and long stamens; and they grown on long flexible stems that cause the flowers to ‘flutter’ in the wind.
  • Lindheimer’s beeblossoms are commonly grown for decorative purposes in gardens or pots, and they prefer sunny conditions.
  • Lindheimer’s beeblossoms are hardy plants and have received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, however, they are considered a weed in some areas.
  • The common name ‘Lindheimer’s beeblossom’ is derived from the name of the Texan botanist Ferdinand Lindheimer, who was of German descent, and the flowers of the plant attracts bees, as well as butterflies.
Bibliography:
Guara lindheimen, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaura_lindheimeri
Guara lindheimen, 2015, Dave’s Garden, http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/590/#b
\Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’, 2015, Perennials.com, http://www.perennials.com/plants/gaura-lindheimeri-whirling-butterflies.html

Amazon:        

Ground Morning Glory

By | |
Leave a comment
Ground Morning Glory

Wake up to the ‘ground morning glory’ early in the morning.

  • Ground morning glories are plants that are native to North Africa and Europe’s Italy and Spain.
  • A ground morning glory has the scientific name Convolvulus sabatius, and it is from the family Convolvulaceae, the family of morning glories.
  • ‘Ground morning glory’ plants are also called ‘Blue rock bindweeds’ and ‘Mauritian bindweeds, and they are also known by the scientific name ‘Convolvulus mauritanicus’.
  • Typically, ground morning glory plants grow to heights of around 15 to 20 centimetres (6 to 8 inches) and spread to a diameter of up to 100 cm (40 inches).
  • Ground morning glories are hardy perennial plants that have received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Blue Rock Bindweed, Flowers, Purple, Ten Random Facts, Vegetation, Plant, Bee, Australia

  • The flowers of ground morning glory plants are blue or purple in colour, that are like a saucer in shape, and are approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter.
  • The blooming season of ground morning glory flowers ranges from summer to autumn, and they sometimes flower in spring.
  • The best position for growing ground morning glory plants is full sun and they usually thrive in free-draining soils.
  • Ground morning glories are typically used for ornamental purposes in pots, hanging baskets or gardens, as a ground cover or trailing plant.
  • Ground morning glory plants have small green leaves, and the plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Bibliography:
Convolvulus sabatius, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convolvulus_sabatius
Convolvulus sabatius, 2015, Perennials.com, http://www.perennials.com/plants/convolvulus-sabatius.html
Convolvulus sabatius, 2015, Renaissance Herbs, http://www.renaissanceherbs.com.au/romantic-cottage/convolvulus-sabatius

 

Amazon:      

Lamb’s Ear

By | |
Leave a comment
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

Amazon:      

Ribwort Plantain

By | |
Leave a comment
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

Amazon: 

Ponytail Palm

By | |
Leave a comment
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

Amazon:     

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...