Tag Archives: Plant

Carnation

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Carnation

So many pretty colours.

  • Carnations are flowering plants from the family Dianthus and their scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus.
  • It is believed that carnations are native to the Mediterranean area.
  • Carnation plants grow up to 80cm (31.5 inches) in height and the flowers grow to  3 to 9 cm (1.1 to 3.5 inches) in diameter.
  • The world’s biggest producer of carnations is Colombia, South America and the country provides the United States with 4/5 of its carnations.
  • Carnation flowers are generally sweet smelling and usually have serrated single or double petals.

Carnation, white, red, pink, yellow, bunch, valentines, bouquet, pretty, Ten Random Facts

  • Carnations are often worn on special occasions, most notably for weddings and on Mothers Day.
  • Carnations are the national flower of Spain, Monaco and Slovenia.
  • Carnation flowers were originally pink and peach, but now come in a wider variety of colours, including red, white, yellow and green.
  • The Greek botanist and philosopher, Theophrastus, made mention of carnations in his writings in approximately 300 BC, naming them ‘dianthus’, meaning ‘divine flower’.
  • Carnations have always been a popular cut flower, as they last well in water once cut.
Bibliography:
Dianthus caryophyllus, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianthus_caryophyllus>

Tibouchina

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Tibouchina

They like to put on a show!

  • The tibouchina is also known as ‘glory bush’, ‘princess flower’, ‘lasiandra’ and ‘glory tree’.
  • Tibouchinas are flowering, evergreen shrubs or trees.
  • Tibouchinas have stunning large purple flowers, although there are a few varieties with pink or white flowers.
  • Tibouchinas flower in Autumn and are an attractive and popular garden plant.
  • Tibouchinas are from the family Melastomataceae and there are over 350 species.

Glory Bush, Purple, Plowers, Green, Tree, Australia, Tibouchina, Ten Random Facts

  • Tibouchinas are native to tropical areas of South America, especially Brazil; the Caribbean; and Mexico.
  • Tibouchinas grow to 0.5 to 6 meters (1.6 to 20 feet) depending on the species.
  • Tibouchinas are susceptible to cold weather and frost.
  • Tibouchinas are classified as an invasive weed in Hawaii.
  • Tibouchinas generally like an acid soil type, and sometimes the edges of  the leaves have a burnt appearance due to the soil not being acidic enough, which can be rectified by the addition of sulphur.
Bibliography:
Tibouchina organensis (Glory Bush), n.d., Backyard Gardener, <http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_23c4.html>

Lilly Pilly

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Lilly Pilly

It is not a lily…

  • Lilly pilly is also known as lillpilli, brush cherries and satinash.
  • Lilly pilly is a flowering plant from the family Myrtaceae, the family of myrtles.
  • Lilly pillies are split into three genera, Syzygium, Waterhousea, Acmena.
  • Lilly pillies are evergreen trees and shrubs.
  • Lilly pilly plants generally have white, fluffy flowers and produce small red, pink or purple fruit that are edible.
Lilly Pilly, Red, Berries, Bunch, Green, Australia, Plant, Berry, Ten Random Facts Lilly Pilly
Image courtesy of Val Laird
  • Lilly pilly is native to Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific.
  • Lilly pilly fruit is sometimes used in jams and jellies.
  • Lilly pilly is sometimes confused with the eugenia species.
  • There are 62 species of lilly pilly native to Australia.
  • The lilly pilly psyllid is a pest that feeds on lilly pilly and causes pimples on the leaves.
Bibliography:
Syzygium, 2013 Wikipedia,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syzygium>

Abelia

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Abelia

Sweet Abelia…

  • Abelia is a plant group from the family Caprifoliaceae, the family of honeysuckles.
  • Abelias are evergreen or deciduous shrubs that can grow 1 to 6 meters (3.3 to 20 feet) in height.
  • Abelias are native to eastern Asia and Mexico.
  • Abelia leaves are dark green and glossy, and the tubular flowers are small, white or pink that grow in clusters.
  • Abelia shrubs flower between spring and autumn.

Abelia, White, Flower, Multiple, Bush, Shrub, Plant, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Abelias were named after the naturalist Clarke Abel, from Britain, who discovered the plant.
  • Abelias were introduced to England by Robert Fortune, a Scottish botanist in 1844.
  • Abelias are popular garden shrubs, as they are generally hardy and have a long flowering period, and are generally pest free.
  • Abelias attract some nectar feeding insects, and the plant is eaten by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera, a family of moths and butterflies.
  • Most Abelia species do not like extreme cold.
Bibliography:
Abelia, 2013 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abelia>

Celosia

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Celosia

Flame headed flowers.

  • Celosia are plants with beautiful blooming flowers that are used for decoration in the garden, and can be eaten.
  • Celosia are plants from the amaranthaceae, which is the family of amaranth.
  • Celosia comes from the Greek word κηλος, pronounced kelos, meaning burned, referring to the flower heads that look like flames.
  • Celosia are also known as woolflowers and cockscomb.
  • Celosia is often used for medicinal purposes to treat intestinal worms; blood diseases; mouth and eye problems; and the seeds can be used to treat chest problems and the flowers as a treatment for diarrhoea.

Celosia, Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Line, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • One thousand celosia seeds weigh 1-1.2 grams (0.035-0.042 ounces).
  • Celosia are native to South America, tropical Africa, and the South and East parts of Asia.
  • Most parts of celosia are commonly eaten in stews, and is a staple food of Nigeria.
  • The leaves of celosia have a taste similar to spinach.
  • Celosia are easy to grow almost anywhere, and are generally resistant to disease and pests.
Bibliography:
Celosia 28 February 2013 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celosia>

Duranta

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Duranta

Do you call it a weed?

  • Duranta is also known as Golden Dewdrop, Pigeon Berry and Skyflower.
  • Duranta is from the family Verbenaceae which is the verbena family and there are 17 different species.
  • Duranta is native to the Americas and the Caribbean.
  • Duranta can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height depending on the species.
  • Mature duranta have thorns and bloom light blue, violet or white coloured flowers.

Duranta, Purple Violet Flowers, Small, Tree, Bush, Bloom, Pretty, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Duranta have yellow or orange coloured berry fruit.
  • The berries and leaves of duranta are poisonous, and have killed children, cats and dogs.
  • Duranta was named in honour of a 16th century Italian botanist and physician, Castor Durantes.
  • Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to duranta’s brightly coloured flowers.
  • Duranta is known as a weed in Australia, South Africa and China.
Bibliography:
Duranta erecta 5 December 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duranta_erecta>
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