Tag Archives: Vegetation

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:     

Everglades National Park

By | |
Leave a comment
Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a sight to see and a place to protect.

  • Everglades National Park is tropical national park located in the United State’s Florida, and it contains significant flora and fauna, as well as numerous archaeological sites.
  • The area of Everglades National Park spreads over approximately 1.5 million acres (607,000 hectares).
  • Everglades National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, declared in 1979, and it has been listed as a ‘Wetland of International Importance’, as well as an ‘International Biosphere Reserve’.
  • The primary rock base of Everglades National Park is limestone, which collects and gathers rainwater, and is important due to the park’s lack of underground water sources.
  • Everglades National Park became a national park on 6 December, 1947, for the uncommon reason of preserving the ecosystem, that includes marine, slough, pine forest, mangrove and coastal habitats.
Everglades National Park, Trees, Grass, America, Dawn, Morning, Misty, Landscape, Forest
Part of Everglades National Park
Image courtesy of Miguel Vieira/Flickr
  • Everglades National Park supports numerous species including at least 40 mammal species, reptile species numbering up to 50, 400 bird species, and up to 300 species of fish; and many of the species are endangered; while notable species include the American crocodile, Florida panther and West Indian manatee.
  • During Native American history, Everglades National Park was used by two tribes as a border, and the first Europeans to set foot in the area were Spanish, in the 1500s.
  • Everglades National Park was significantly damaged by the building of canals in above ground water bodies, primarily around the 1900s; and in 1989, the US President George Bush committed the government to reversing the damage.
  • December marks the beginning of the peak tourist season at Everglades National Park, and hiking, canoeing and camping are common activities; and the park sees over a million tourists every year.
  • During its history, Everglades National Park has been endangered due to damaging hurricanes and nearby urban expansion, and it has also been negatively affected by droughts, fires, decreasing water quantities, rising sea levels, mercury poisoning and introduced species.
Bibliography:
Everglades National Park, 2015, National Park Foundation, http://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/everglades-national-park
 Everglades National Park, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/76
Everglades National Park, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everglades_National_Park

 

Amazon:     

Chili Pepper

By | |
1 Comment
Chili Pepper

Try not to kill your tongue with hot chilli peppers.

  • A chili pepper is a red, yellow or green coloured fruit, usually from one of five species of plants that belong to the Capsicum genus, and they are from the family Solanaceae, the family of nightshades.
  • ‘Chili peppers’ are also known as ‘chilli peppers’, ‘chile peppers’, ‘chillies’ and ‘peppers’; and they range in shape and size, and are generally between 2.5 to 15 centimetres (1 to 6 inches) in length.
  • Chili peppers are native to America, where the food has historically been a staple culinary item, particularly in Central America.
  • Chili pepper was named after black pepper, which, according to the Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus who named them, had a similar spicy flavour.
  • Around the 1500s, after Christopher Columbus’ discovery, chili peppers became known and used in Europe; and Portuguese traders brought the food to Asia.

Chili Pepper, Red, Food, Vegetable, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Two, Plate, Grown, Australia, Chilli,

  • Chili peppers contain a chemical named capsaicin, which causes the hot, spicy flavour; and the capsaicin quantity is measured using Scoville heat unites (SHU); while the hottest is the Carolina reaper, with 2.2 million SHU.
  • Chili peppers can be eaten dried or fresh; cooked, roasted, ground or pickled, and they are popular in curries, and Mexican and Asian cuisine.
  • Chemicals, including capsaicin, can be derived from chili peppers to create pepper spray, which can be used to temporarily blind people, sometimes used for police control purposes.
  • Chili peppers can be used to combat pain from nerve disfunctions and osteoarthritis, as well as protecting healthy fats.
  • Chili peppers are extremely high in vitamin C, and they are high in vitamin K, vitamin A and fibre.
Bibliography:
Chili pepper, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper
Chili pepper, dried, 2015, The World’s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=29

Amazon:       

Lime Lava

By | |
Leave a comment
Lime Lava

Don’t step on living carpets of lime lava.

  • Lime lava plants are evergreen plants native to New Zealand and the eastern states of Australia; and they prefer higher than normal elevations in subtropical habitats.
  • A ‘lime lava’ plant is also known as a ‘two-flowered knawel’, ‘knawel’, ‘cushion-bush’, ‘cushion plant’ and ‘Canberra grass’.
  • The scientific name of the lime lava plant is Scleranthus biflorus, and it is from the family Caryophyllaceae, the family of carnations.
  • Lime lava plants typically grow horizontally as a perennial plant, and they have very small leaves that are between 0.5 to 1 centimetre (0.2 to 0.4 inches) in length.
  • From a distance, a lime lava plant has the appearance of moss, and the plant boasts a colour of vibrant green.

Lime Lava, Green, Ten Random Facts, Carpet, Australia, Vegetation, Plant, Flat

  • Lime lava plants are used most often for decorative purposes, commonly to line garden edges, featured in rockeries, or as a ground cover.
  • Full sunlight is the best condition for growing lime lava plants and they also prefer moist conditions.
  • Lime lava plants have trouble growing in areas where water collects; and they are generally frost resistant.
  • Lime lava can grow to be 15 centimetres (6 inches) in height and 50 to 80 (20 to 32 inches) centimetres in diameter.
  • Lime lava flowers are very small, and green to yellow in colour, and they flower during spring to autumn.
Bibliography:
Canberra Grass, 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/grasses-ground-covers-lawns/canberra-grass/#.VK9d-IuUd8E
Hibbs B, A patch of lime green – Scleranthus biflorus, 2012, Garden World, http://gardenworld.com.au/2012/06/13/a-patch-of-lime-green-scleranthus-biflorus/
Scleranthus biflorus, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleranthus_biflorus
Scleranthus biflorus, 2015, Bushland Flora, http://www.bushlandflora.com.au/individual_plant.php?p=Scleranthus%20biflorus&uid=1677
Hadlow B, Scleranthus biflorus, 1981, Australian National Botanic Gardens http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp11/scleranthus-biflorus.html

Amazon:     

Basil

By | |
Leave a comment
Basil

Add a tinge of flavour with some basil.

  • Basil is a species of leafy herb that is used primarily in cooking, and it is mostly grown as an annual.
  • ‘Basil’ is also known as ‘Saint Joseph’s Wort’ and ‘sweet basil’, and sometimes ‘Thai basil’, however this name usually refers to a variety of the herb.
  • Basil has the scientific name Ocimum basilicum and is from the family of mint, and there are numerous varieties of the herb, including a licorice flavoured one.
  • Basil plants typically have green fragrant leaves, although purple varieties are available, and they usually grow to be 30 to 130 centimetres (12 to 51 inches) in height.
  • Basil is said to have originated in Asia and Africa, where, in some countries, it has been grown as a crop in ancient civilisations, especially in India.

Basil, Vegetation, Herb, Plant, Ten Random Facts, Green, Fresh, Growing.

  • Basil leaves are generally used to flavour foods, either dried or fresh, although the latter contains much more flavour, and oil can also be extracted from the plants.
  • Fresh basil should only be cooked for short time periods, as longer cooking will cause the flavour to dissipate.
  • Basil has been used in traditional medicine, especially in India, and studies into the herb have also determined that it has significant antiviral and other beneficial medicinal properties.
  • The term ‘basil,’ has it origins in the word ‘basileus’, and when translated from Greek means ‘king’.
  • Basil is extremely high in vitamin K, and is good source of manganese, and vitamin A.
Bibliography:
Basil, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil
Basil, 2015, The World’s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=85

Amazon:     

Marguerite Daisy

By | |
1 Comment
Marguerite Daisy

A marguerite daisy make your garden smile.

  • Marguerite daisies are a group of 24 species of flowering plants, native to the islands of Macaronesia, in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Marguerite daisy plants are also known as ‘marguerites’ and ‘dill daisies’.
  • The scientific name of a marguerite daisy is Argyranthemum, and it is from the family Asteraceae, the family of daisies.
  • Marguerite daisy plants are perennials, that usually have a long flowering period, generally from spring to autumn.
  • Marguerite daisies are typically used as a decorative garden plant, often in flower beds or as a pot plant, and the flowers can also feature in floral arrangements.

Marguerite Daisy, Ten Random Facts, Flower, Vegetation, White, Flickr

  • The flowers of marguerite daisies can be white, pink, purple and yellow in colour, while the petals can be arranged as singles or doubles, sometimes with numerous layers of petals.
  • Many marguerite daisy species have received the Award of Garden Merit, given by the British Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Marguerite daisies are typically small shrubs and grow to a height of 30 to 100 centimetres (1 to 3.3 feet) height.
  • Marguerite daisies grow best in areas that receive full sun, or a large quantity of light, and well drained soil.
  • The native habitat of some species of wild marguerite daisies is being threatened by grazing, humans and erosion, with at least two species endangered, plus one that is critically endangered.

 

Bibliography:
Argyranthemum, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyranthemum
Argyranthemum, 2015, Renaissance Herbs, http://www.renaissanceherbs.com.au/romantic-cottage/argyranthemum
Argyranthemum, n.d, Syngenta Flowers, http://www.syngentaflowers.com/country/us/en/seeds/GrowingGuidelinesLib/Argyranthemum_Final.pdf
Kimberley M, Argyranthemum, 2010, Horticulture Week, http://www.hortweek.com/argyranthemum/article/1008910

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...