Tag Archives: Vegetation

Photinia

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Photinia

Reddy, hedgy plants.

  • Photinia are trees or shrubs that grow 3m to 15m tall.
  • Photinia are native to the warmer temperatures of Asia and there are between 40 and 60 species.
  • Photinia sometimes have thorns on their branches.
  • Photinia bloom in early summer and have white, five petalled flowers that smell like hawthorn.
  • Photinia produce numerous berries that are small and red in colour.

Photinia, Red leaves, Green, Sun, Hedge, Tall, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • The berries of Photonia are eaten by birds which spread the seeds of the plant in their droppings.
  • Firethorns, cotoneasters and hawthorns are related to Photinias.
  • Photinia are commonly used for decorative purposes in the garden ands some species are a popular hedge plant.
  • Throughout spring and summer, the new leaves on many Photinia cultivars are a beautiful red, which turn green when the foliage ages.
  • Some Photinia cultivars are poisonous, especially for mammals that chew the cud.
Bibliography:
Photinia 26 February 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photinia>

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>

Pear

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Pear

Pears in a pear tree. Sweet n juicy.

  • There are approximately 3000 varieties of pears grown around the world, and they are from the species of Pyrus and the family of roses, Rosaceae.
  • In Ancient Greece, pears were used in medicine as a treatment for nausea.
  • Pears are native to the coastal and mild temperature areas in Europe, Africa and Asia.
  • Pears grow on pear trees that reach 10-17 metres (31.8 – 55.8 feet) tall and are normally harvested when they are green, before they ripen.
  • China is by far the greatest producer of pears in the world, producing nearly 16 million tonnes in 2011, followed by Italy and the United States of America with less than 1 million tonnes each.

Pear, yellow fleshed, orange, five, yummy, sweet, Ten Random Facts

  • Pears are eaten fresh, canned or dried and the pear juice can be made into jelly, jam and cider.
  • Pears ripen faster when placed in a bowl with bananas.
  • Before the introduction of tobacco in Europe, pear leaves were originally smoked.
  • Pears are good sources of vitamin C and dietary fibre, most of which can be found in the skin.
  • Pear tree wood is a valued timber for carving and the construction of instruments, as it is very stable and does not warp.
Bibliography:
Pear 10 February 2013, Wikipedia,  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pear>

Mondo Grass

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Mondo Grass

Swishy sway.

  • Mondo grass is an evergreen, small grassy plant.
  • Mondo grass is also known as fountain plant, monkey grass, dragon’s beard and snake’s beard and its official name is Ophiopogon japonicus.
  • Mondo grass is native to Japan.
  • Mondo grass plants range from 10 – 30 cm (4 – 12 inches) in height, depending on the variety.
  • Mondo grass produce small white or pale lilac coloured flowers.

Mondo Grass, Lily, Japanese, Dragons beard, Fountain, Row, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Mondo grass produces a blue berry which is about 5 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter.
  • Mondo grass is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
  • Some people use Mondo grass as an aquatic plant, which normally dies if not kept in the right underwater temperature.
  • Mondo grass blooms in late Spring and early Summer.
  • Although some people think Mondo grass is a type of grass, it is actually a type of lily.
Bibliography:
Ophiopogon Japonicus 16 July 2012 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiopogon_japonicus>

Alyssum

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Alyssum

Sweet small flowers.

  • Alyssum is also known as sweet alyssum or sweet alison.
  • Alyssum is an annual flowering, small, bushy plant that grows to about 5 – 30 cm (2-12 inches) in height.
  • Alyssum’s scientific name is Lobularia maritima or Alyssum maritimum, which comes from the Greek words meaning ‘small pod’ and ‘marine’.
  • Alyssum has clusters of small flowers, approximately 5 mm in diameter, with four petals.
  • Alyssum has flowers that are white, pink, rosey red, violet or lilac in colour.

Alyssum, White, Flower, Plant, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Alyssum flowers have a sweet smell and are pollinated by insects.
  • In its natural environment, alyssum is commonly found growing on beaches or sand dunes.
  • In civilisation, alyssum is commonly found growing in cracks or walls.
  • Alyssum often self seeds in the garden and is commonly found popping up in unexpected places.
  • Alyssum is native to coastal areas and islands in and surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the European islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Bibliography:
Lobularia Maritima 3 February 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobularia_maritima>

Black Forest

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Black Forest

The forest isn’t black… It’s green!

  • The Black Forest is a forest of many trees on a mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, in South East Germany.
  • The Black Forest is situated on a layer of sandstone and contains mainly pine and fir trees.
  • The Black Forest is known as Schwarzwald in German, and was dubbed by the Romans as the “Black Forest”, due to its very dense growth of trees which makes it very dark in the forest.
  • The highest mountain in the Black Forest is Feldberg, 1, 493 meters (4,898 feet).
  • The Black Forest is the home of the giant earthworm, which hasn’t be discovered in any other region.

 Schwarzwald, Germany, Black Forest, Fir, Pine, Lanscape, View, Flickr, Ten Random Fact, Gerrit van Aaken

Black Forest
Image courtesy of Gerrit van Aaken/Flickr
  • Since the early 18th century, cuckoo clocks have been, and still are, a popular souvenir of the Black Forest.
  • In medieval times the Black Forest contained significant mines, some of which have been re-opened for public viewing.
  • The Black Forest is the home of many rivers including the Danube.
  • The Black Forest measures 150 km (93 miles) in length.
  • A cherry liquor from the Black Forest region was originally one of the significant ingredients in the world famous Black Forest cake, hence the name Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte – ‘Black Forest cherry torte’.
Bibliography:
Black Forest 26 January 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Forest>
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