Tag Archives: Plant

Poinsettia

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Poinsettia

An important Christmas flower: poinsettia.

  • Poinsettias are decorative plants, from the family Euphorbiaceae, the family of spurges.
  • Poinsettias are small trees or shrubs that grow from 0.6 to 4 metres (2 to 13 feet) in height, and have large leaves.
  • The scientific name of poinsettias is ‘Euphorbia pulcherrima’, and they are also known as ‘lobster flowers’ and ‘flame-leaf flowers’ and there are over 100 varieties of the plant.
  • Poinsettias are native to Central America and Mexico and can be found in forests, which is their natural habitat.
  • Poinsettias are a popular, symbolic Christmas plant, as they resemble the colours of Christmas, typically being red and green coloured.

Poinsettia, Red, Green, Christmas, Plant, Winter, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not dangerously poisonous, although the sap can cause sickness if consumed and an allergic reaction can occur for some people if they touch the sap.
  • Poinsettias are primarily green, although the bracts, that are often mistaken as the flower, come in various colours, and different varieties can be found in red, orange, pink, white, pale shades and white shades, as well as speckled and multicoloured.
  • Poinsettia flowers are generally small, clustered, and yellow in colour, centred in the middle of the bracts.
  • Poinsettias are popularly grown indoors and although they are often incorrectly believed to lack survival outside, they can be grown outside all year round, as long as they are not exposed to frost.
  • ‘Poinsettia’ is named after Joel Poinsett, who was a politician, physician and botanist, and the first United States Minister to Mexico.
Bibliography:
Poinsettia, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poinsettia
Poinsettia Facts, 2013, University of Illinois Extension, http://urbanext.illinois.edu/poinsettia/facts.cfm

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Ochna Serrulata (Mickey Mouse Bush)

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Ochna Serrulata (Mickey Mouse Bush)

Don’t be mistaken with this plant… it looks like Mickey Mouse!

  • Ochna serrulata is a hardy shrub that is evergreen and usually grows up to 1 to 2.5 metres (3 to 8 feet) in height, although taller plants have been seen.
  • The words ‘Ochna serrulata’ both refer to the leaves of the plant, and the word ‘Ochna’ is of Greek origin, coming from the word ‘Ochne’ meaning ‘wild pear’, and ‘serrulata’ is of Latin origin, from ‘serrula’ meaning ‘little saw’.
  • Ochna serrulata is native to South Africa, commonly found in forests, but the plant has become a highly invasive weed in some parts of Australia and New Zealand, tolerating sunny or shady areas, and it is difficult to remove and eradicate.
  • Ochna serrulata has a number of common names including ‘mall-leaved plane’; ‘bird’s eye bush’; ‘bird’s eye plant’; ‘carnival bush’; ‘carnival ochna’; ‘Mickey Mouse bush’ and ‘Mickey Mouse plant’.
  • Ochna serrulata is from the family Ochnaceae, the family of wild planes, and are one of the 86 species of Ochna shrubs and trees, and is very similar to the Ochna kirkii species that is also called a ‘Mickey Mouse plant, however kirkii has larger and rounder leaves and larger flowers.

Carnival Ochna, Mickey Mouse Plant, Ten Random Facts, Plant, Fruit, Seeds, red sepal, Australia, Vegetation, Small toothed leaves

  • Ochna serrulata shrubs have small, 2 cm  (0.8 in) yellow coloured flowers that bloom in Spring, that do not last long and attract butterflies and bees.
  • Ochna serrulata plants have sepals at the base of the flowers, that grow larger and turn a stunning red when the plant is developing fruit.
  • The fruit of Ochna serrulata plants is commonly consumed by birds, which spread the seeds of the plant in their droppings.
  • Ochna serrulata have spherical fruit that grow in clusters of five or more on the red sepals, starting green and turning black in colour, and with the red sepals, they bring to mind Walt Disney’s ‘Mickey Mouse’, hence the common name, ‘Mickey Mouse bush’.
  • The fruit of Ochna serrulata has been used in traditional African medicine to treat diseases that attacks one’s bones.
Bibliography:
Ochna Serrulate, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochna_serrulata
Mbambezeli G & Notten A, Ochna serrulate (Hochst.) Walp., 2002, Plantz Africa, http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/ochnaserrulat.htm

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Lily (Lilium)

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Lily (Lilium)

Is this… Is that… No, this is a true lily!

  • Liliums, or ‘lilies’ as they are commonly known, are true lilies from the Liliaceae family, and are plants that are grown from scaly bulbs.
  • Lillies are often confused with other ‘lillies’ that are not from the lily family, especially day lillies, that have foliage coming from the ground, rather than leaves growing up a stem.
  • Lilies are native to mostly temperate areas in North America, Europe and Asia, and are typically found in woody or grassy environments.
  • Lilies grow up to 60 to 180 centimetres (2 to 6 feet) in height, with the stem being very long and strong.
  • A lily plant forms large flowers at the top of the long stem of the plant, that are often marked with patterns and are generally red, white, pink, yellow, purple and orange in colour and are sometimes fragrant.

Lilium, Pink, White, Plant, Flower, Lily, True, Bud, Open, Ten Random Facts

  • Some lilies are poisonous to cats, fatally damaging the kidney and its functions, and the pollen can also be hazardous to them.
  • Lilies are commonly grown as a decorative flower in the garden or in pots, and are important in the cut flower industry, often featuring in bouquets.
  • The bulb of a lily can be eaten like a vegetable, eaten in luxury in China, although can be sometimes quite bitter and unpleasant.
  • Since the 1100s, lilies have symbolised ‘purity’, with specific varieties symbolising many things, and more recently, they have been a traditional addition to a bouquet on a couple’s 30th wedding anniversary.
  • Lily flowers are usually shaped like a trumpet or bell when partly opened, often opening out to a star shape, and they generally bloom from spring through to autumn, depending on the species.
Bibliography:
Lilium, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium
Lily – Lilium candidu, 2013, Flying Flowers, http://www.flyingflowers.co.uk/about-flowers/Flowers/FF_About_Lily,default,pg.html

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Pelargonium

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Pelargonium

The sweet-smelling pelargoniums are confusing.

  • Pelargoniums are a group of 200-250 species of flowering perennial plants, from the Geraniaceae family, the family of geraniums.
  • ‘Pelargoniums’ are also known as ‘storksbills’ and ‘geraniums’, and although they are commonly confused with and called ‘geraniums’, they are different to the species of the same name.
  • Pelargoniums are native mostly to South Africa, although some species are native to Australia, the Middle East, New Zealand and other parts of Africa.
  • ‘Pelargoniums’ is derived from the word ‘stork’ in Greek, ‘pelargos’, while the common name for the plant, ‘storksbill’ refers to the seed head’s shape.
  • Pelargoniums have flowers that can be white, cream, pink, mauve, purple, orange and red in colour, and they bloom mainly in spring and summer.

Pelargonium, Flower, Red, Pink, Stalksbills, Cluster, Leaves, Fence, Plant, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Pelargoniums are evergreen and can also survive in drought and strong sunlight, and the shape and texture of the leaves vary significantly, depending on the species.
  • Pelargoniums have 5-petalled flowers, which are distinguished by colours and patterns; with two petals at the top and three below.
  • Some species of pelargoniums have useful perfume-smelling scents, including mint, rose, fruits and spices.
  • Most pelargonium flowers and leaves can be eaten, and they are used in the flavouring, of primarily, desserts.
  • Pelargonium oil, extracted from scented leaves, is sometimes used as a relaxing agent, while parts of the plant can be used to treat sicknesses and injury.
Bibliography:
Pelargonium, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelargonium
Plant Profile: Pelargoniums, 2011, Gardening Australia, http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866723.htm

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Aquilegia

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Aquilegia

Pretty bird-like aquilegias bob all day in the wind.

  • Aquilegias are perennial, ornamental flowering plants that include 60 to 70 species and belong to the Aquilegia genus.
  • ‘Aquilegia’ flowers and plants are also known as ‘granny’s bonnets’ and  ‘columbines’, and are from the family Ranunculaceae, which is the family of buttercups.
  • Aquilegias are native to meadows and woodlands in cooler areas north of the equator.
  • The common name ‘columbine’ comes from the Latin word for ‘dove’, while the genus name, ‘aquilegia’, comes from the word ‘aquila’, which is Latin for ‘eagle’, and both are a reference to the unusual shape of the flower.
  • Aquilegias grow to be 38 to 51 centimetres (15 to 20 inches) in height, and are usually grown from seed.

Columbine, Flower, Purple, Lilac, Shade, Bud, Open, Plant, Flower, Aquilegia, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • The indigenous Americans used small portions of some species of aquilegia flowers, as sweet additions to some meals, and sometimes used the roots medicinally.
  • Aquilegia plants have long-spurred flower petals that often resemble birds and are full of sweet nectar.
  • Aquilegias are highly toxic if the roots or seeds are consumed, and can cause fatalities.
  • Aquilegia flowers are typically red, purple, blue, white or yellow in colour, and depending on the species bloom in spring and/or summer.
  • Aquilegia plants are generally hardy, preferring partly shady conditions, and they have bluish green, maidenhair fern-like foliage.
Bibliography:
Aquilegia, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia
Plant Profile: Aquilegia, 2013, Gardening Australia, http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866504.htm

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Rondeletia

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Rondeletia

The beautiful rondeletias sway in the garden.

  • Rondeletias are from the family Rubiaceae, which is the family of coffee or madder.
  • Rondeletias are often grown as a decorative garden plant, although they are not as common as they used to be.
  • Rondeletias are 160 species of hardy shrubs or trees with glossy, evergreen leaves.
  • Rondeletias grow up to three metres (10 feet) in height and are suitable to grow as a hedge.
  • Rondeletias have small flowers that grow in clusters and are typically orange-pink in colour.

Rondeletia, Pink, Flowers, Plant, Decorative, Garden, Ten Random Facts, Flower

  • Rondeletias are native to Central America, including countries such as Mexico, Panama and Cuba.
  • Some species of rondeletia are critically endangered, while others are common.
  • Rondeletias generally prefer sunny conditions and warm temperatures.
  • Rondeletias have fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and birds.
  • ‘Rondeletias’ are named after a French medical professor and scientist of the 1500s, Guillaume Rondelet, who specialised in botany and other areas.
Bibliography:
Rondeletia, n.d., Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/2001/archives/2001_archives/in_the_garden/flowering_plants_and_shrubs/rondeletia
Rondeletia (Plant), 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rondeletia_(plant)

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