PLANT GUIDE
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC)
“To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves." Mahatma Gandhi (1869 –1948)
"Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration." Lou Erickson (1913-1990)
"What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it." Charles Dudley Warner (1829–1900)
"Earth laughs in flower" Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 –1882)
"The garden that is finished is dead." H. E. Bates (1905 – 1974)
"A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines." Frank Lloyd Wright, (1868-1959)
"I guess a good gardener always starts as a good weeder." Amos Pettingill (1780 – 1830)
"Plant and your spouse plants with you; weed and you weed alone." Dennis Breeze, scriptwriter
"A weed is a plant that is not only in the wrong place, but intends to stay." Sara Stein, author
“My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view.” H. Fred Ale, author
“Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans.” Marcelene Cox, author
“Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden.” Orson Scott Card, author
“When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.” Author Unknown
“Just because you've only got houseplants doesn't mean you don't have the gardening spirit - I look upon myself as an indoor gardener.” Sara Moss-Wolfe, artist
“But make no mistake: the weeds will win: nature bats last.” Robert M. Pyle, author
“If you are not killing plants, you are not really stretching yourself as a gardener.” J. C. Raulston, horticulturalist
Allamanda schottii (Golden Trumpet) From the Apocynaceae family, which is native of Brazil. It is mainly used to treat malaria.
Plumbago auriculata (Blue Plumbago) Is a well known houseplant originally from South Africa.
Russellia equisetiformis (Firecracker) Is a genus of flowering plants in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. The generic name honours Scottish naturalist Alexander Russell (1715– 1768).
Ixora coccinea A genus of 529 species in the family Rubiaceae, consisting of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs. Though native to the tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world, its centre of diversity is in tropical areas in Asia, especially India, Red ixora flowers are commonly used in Hindu worship, as well as in Indian folk medicine. It is also a popular choice for hedges in parts of South East Asia, like in Thailand. In tropical climates they flower year round
Nerium oleander (Oleander) Is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. Oleander is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants, and can be very toxic if ingested in sufficient quantity.
Crinum species ‘Thai Yellow’. The crinum lily belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family of plants, which has 870 species. Members of the family include amaryllis, daffodils, snowdrops, rain lilies. Several species are used in aquariums.
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas Sage) Is a shrub in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, native to the state of Texas in the southwestern United States and the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Le贸n, and Tamaulipas in northern Mexico. Although commonly known as Texas Sage, it is not a true sage as it has no relationship to the genus Salvia.
Bougainvillea hybrids Is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina. The plant was classified by Europeans in Brazil in 1768, by Philibert Commer莽on, a French botanist accompanying French Navy admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville during his voyage of circumnavigation.
Schefflera arboricola Several species are grown in pots as houseplants. Numerous cultivars have been selected for various characters, most popularly for variegated or purple foliage. The genus is named in honor of Jacob Christian Scheffler, an 18th-century German botanist
Acalypha wilkesiana A very large genus of tropical Euphorbs shrubs (spurge family). The genus name "Acalypha" comes from the Greek name for "nettle". Originated from Fiji.
Codiaeum variegatum (Croton) It is native to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Pacific islands. Many highly colourful varieties have been developed and they are very popular plants throughout the tropics. Croton oil is derived from Croton tiglium, used in herbal medicine as a violent purgative, is extracted from its seeds. Nowadays, it is considered unsafe and it is no longer listed in the pharmacopeias of many countries.
Duranta repens (Yellow Duranta) Is native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. It also is grown in parts of the subtropics. There are 16 other species of Duranta. This yellow-leaved form is called Golden Duranta and is favoured for clipped, low-growing plantings, as the new leaves emerge pure yellow after clipping.
Duranta erecta (Sapphire Showers) Another form of this species grows taller, with green or variegated leaves and hanging clusters of mauve or purple flowers which smell deliciously of vanilla. These are followed by strings of orange berries
Philodendron selloum (Lacy tree) A plant that belongs to the family Araceae. This plant is native to South America. The resins produced during flowering are known to be used by Trigona bees in the construction of their nests. Subsequently native Indians from South America take the resin from the bees' nests and use it to make their blowguns air and watertight.
Asystasia gangetica (Chinese Violet) In some parts of Africa, the leaves are eaten as a vegetable and used as an herbal remedy in traditional African medicine. The leaves are used in many parts of Nigeria for the management of asthma, and scientific investigation has shown justification for this use
Solanum macranthum (Potato Tree) Most parts of the plant, especially the green parts and unripe fruit, are poisonous to humans, but many species in the genus bear some edible parts, such as fruits, leaves, or tubers. Several species are cultivated, including three globally important food crops: Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato), Solanum Tuberosum (Potato) and Solanum melongena (Eggplant)
Hibiscus Species are grown for their showy flowers and used as landscape shrubs. Many species attract butterflies and bees. Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas. The red hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Tahitian women. A single flower is tucked behind the ear. It is used to indicate the wearer's availability for marriage .
Graptophyllum pictum (Caricature plant) Native to New Guinea, caricature plant is a tropical evergreen shrub that will grow to 6-9 ft tall. Caricature plant is primarily grown for its variegated foliage.
Graptophyllum pictum
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Pseuderanthemum carruthersii Native to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Is very salt tolerant.
Cordyline terminalis (Boundary Plant) A native to Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and larger Pacific Islands as Hawaii; native peoples use the species for fiber and food (roots); The name comes from the Greek kordyle meaning club, referring to the thickened root. In the West Indies, the red variety is often planted along property boundaries, to separate lots of land.
Sanchezia parvibracteata Sanchezia speciosa is native to Peru and Ecuador where it grows in the humid environment of the tropical rainforests.
Aechmea blanchetiana One of the few full sun tolerant bromeliads. This plant grows in Brazil, especially in Bahia, and it is often used as an ornamental plant.
Wedelia A flowering plant genus in the sunflower family, Asteraceae. They are one of the genera commonly called "creeping-oxeyes". The name of the genus honours German physician Georg Wolfgang Wedel (1645-1721).
Cannas Lily Became very popular in Victorian times as a garden plant and were grown widely in France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the USA. The seeds are used as the mobile elements of the kayamb, a musical instrument from Réunion, as well as the hosho, a gourd rattle from Zimbabwe, where the seeds are known as "hota" seeds.
Callisia fragrans (Cut and Juk) The common name, “Cut and Juk’ originated in Barbados. If you cut a piece and ‘Juk’ it in the ground, it will grow. It is not only a decoration plant; it has wide medicinal use in Europe and Russia. Active biological substances that are in Callisia fragrans can struggle with any types of infections, stimulate metabolic processes, strengthen immunity and circulatory system, and has positive influence on growths.
Aloe vera Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots. Many Aloe species are highly decorative and are valued by collectors of succulents. Aloe vera is used both internally and externally on humans, and is claimed to have some medicinal effects, which have been supported by scientific and medical research. The gel in the leaves can be made into a smooth type of cream that can heal burns such as sunburn. They can also be made into types of special soaps.
Pleomele Dracaena Some species of Dracaena are popular as houseplants. Rooted stem cuttings of D. sanderiana are widely marketed in the U.S.A. as "Lucky Bamboo", although only superficially resembling true bamboos. Dracaena can produce a bright red resin, called dragon's blood. The red resin was used in ancient times as medicine
Thunbergia erecta Blue flowers resembling morning glory. Several of the best-known Thunbergia species are climbers, but this native of tropical Africa is a sprawling shrub, very useful in mixed beds or as a low hedge
Carissa macrocarpa (Natal Plum) Natal plums produce shiny, deep green leaves and snowy white flowers whose perfumed scent intensifies at night. The fruit can be eaten out of hand or made into pies, jams, jellies, and sauces. Other than the fruit, the plant is poisonous.
Scaevola frutescens (Half flower) Common names for Scaevola species include scaevolas, fan-flowers, half-flowers, and naupaka, the plant's Hawaiian name. The flowers are shaped as if they have been cut in half. Consequently, the generic name means "left-handed" in Latin. Many legends have been told to explain the formation of the naupaka's unique half flowers. In one version a woman tears the flower in half after a quarrel with her lover. The Gods, angered, turn all naupaka flowers into half flowers and the two lovers remained separated while the man is destined to search in vain for another whole flower
Pandanus sanderi Craftswomen collect the pandan leaves from plants in the wild. The young leaves are sliced in fine strips and weavers produce basic pandan mats of standard size or roll the leaves into pandan ropes for other designs. This is followed by a coloring process, in which pandan mats are placed in drums with water-based colors. After drying, the colored mats are shaped into final products such as place mats or jewelry boxes. Final color touch-ups are applied to assure a product of high quality. The whole process from harvesting of raw materials to finished product is handled by craftswomen, making this a truly community-based handicraft product.
Jatropha integerrima (Peregrina) A species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is native to Cuba and Hispaniola
Dracaena marginata A flowering plant in the family Ruscaceae, native to Madagascar. It is a popular houseplant that needs little attention; it is one of the plants used in the NASA Clean Air Study and has shown to help remove formaldehyde. It is an effective air cleaner and is among the best plants for removing xylene and trichloroethylene. D. marginata is very susceptible to fluoride toxicity. It usually cannot tolerate direct sunlight even though the plants like high light situations the best. However, almost any light level will do
Liriope spicata (Aztec Grass) There’s no groundcover known to humankind that’s as successful as Liriope at preventing erosion on even the steepest hillsides, at surviving wet or bone dry conditions, and doing all that in full sun or deep shade. Originated in China and Vietnam
Rhoeo spathacea (Oyster Lily) The Oyster Plant is succulent looking and it can be used to make a dense groundcover. As other plants in the same family, the watery sap can provoke allergic reaction.
TREES Saraca asoca (Ashoka tree) In Hinduism the ashoka is considered a sacred tree. Not counting a multitude of local traditions connected to it, the ashoka tree is worshipped in Chaitra, the first month of the Hindu calendar. It is also associated with Kamadeva, the Hindu god of Love, who included an Ashoka blossom among the five flowers in his quiver. Hence, the ashoka tree is often mentioned in classical Indian religious and amorous poetry, having at least 16 different names in Sanskrit referring to the tree or its flowers. As a wild tree, the Ashoka is a vulnerable species. It is becoming rarer in its natural habitat, but isolated wild Ashoka trees are still to be found in the foothills of central and eastern Himalayas, in scattered locations of the northern plains of India as well as on the west coast of the Subcontinent near Mumbai.
Azadirachta indica (Neem) All parts of the tree are said to have medicinal properties and are used for preparing many different medical preparations. Part of the Neem tree can be used as a spermicide, preparing cosmetics and creams Neem derivatives neutralise nearly 500 pests worldwide, by affecting their behaviour and physiology.
Delonix regia (Flamboyant) In English it is given the name Royal Poinciana or Flamboyant. Named for Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, the 17th century governor of Saint Christophe (Saint Kitts), who is credited with introducing the plant to the Americas.
Eucalyptus Although eucalypts must have been seen by the very early European explorers, no botanical collections of them are known until 1770 when Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander arrived at Botany Bay with Captain James Cook. Eucalyptus species have attracted attention from global development researchers and environmentalists. Such species have desirable traits such as being fast-growing sources of wood, producing oil that can be used for cleaning and functions as a natural insecticide, or an ability to be used to drain swamps and thereby reduce the risk of malaria. Several eucalypts are among the tallest trees in the world. Eucalyptus regnans, the Australian Mountain Ash, is the tallest of all flowering plants (Angiosperms); today, the tallest measured specimen named Centurion is 99.6 m (327 ft) tall
Ficus benjamina (Ficus) Commonly known as the Weeping Fig, Benjamin's Fig, or the Ficus Tree and often sold in stores as just a "Ficus", is a species of fig tree, native to south and southeast Asia and Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok, Thailand. In its native range, its small fruit are a favorite food of some birds, such as the Superb Fruitdove, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Ornate Fruitdove, Orange-bellied Fruit-dove
Ficus elastica 'Variegata' (Rubber Ficus) Another form of the many Ficus forms. It can yield a milky white latex also known as sap, which has been used in some cases to make rubber, but it should not be confused with the Parรก rubber tree, the main commercial source of latex for rubber making. This sap is also an irritant to the eyes and skin and can be fatal if taken internally. As with other members of the genus Ficus, the flowers require a particular species of fig wasp to pollinate it in a coevolved relationship. Because of this relationship, the plant does not produce highly colourful or fragrant flowers to attract other pollinators. The fruit is a small yellow-green oval fig 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long, barely edible; it will only contain viable seed where the relevant fig wasp species is present.
Conocarpus erectus (Silver Mangrove) The tree is used as an ornamental plant and in bonsai. The variety sericeus, with silvery leaves, is especially prized for landscaping. It is an important host plant for epiphytes. Conocarpus is widely believed to be fodder for the African buffalo, and it is understood that this is the source of their acidic urine. The wood is sometimes used in cabinets; it is difficult to work but takes a smooth finish. It is also used as firewood, and is reported to be good for smoking meat and fish, as it burns very hot and slowly; it also makes high quality charcoal. The bark is high in tannin, for which it has been harvested commercially
Plumeria (Frangipani) Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar. In several Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga and the Cook Islands Plumeria species are used for making leis. In modern Polynesian culture, it can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken.
Callistemon (Bottlebrush Tree) Is a genus of 34 species in the family Myrtaceae, all of which are endemic to Australia. Callistemon species are commonly referred to as bottlebrushes because of their cylindrical, brush like flowers resembling a traditional bottle brush.
Parkinsonia microphylla (Yellow palo verde) It is a bristling, upright-branching tree, mostly found on slopes, and is one of the most common trees of the Sonoran Desert. The species is slow-growing, sometimes living for several hundred years. The leaves are yellowish green, and during extensively dry and hot periods the tree will shed them. The flowers of the palo verde, found on the end of a branch, are small, pale yellow and flower in late spring. The tree may not flower every year, depending on the amount rainfall. If there is enough rainfall, seeds will also appear in 4–8 cm long, soft pods which dip in between each seed. They ripen in July, and stick to the branches. Rodents will often carry and store the seeds underground, where some of them will germinate after a rainy season. The seedlings are very sensitive to drought for the first two to three months of their lives, and only about 1.6% will survive after germinating. The Palo Verde has the characteristic of performing photosynthesis in its bark (hence the green color), and this is what allows it to survive after it has shed its leaves in hotter periods
Coccoloba uvifera (Seagrape) The first botanical name of the plant was assigned in 1696 by Leonard Plukenet, who named it Uvifera littorea, "grape-bearer of the shore". The ripe, tart to sweet, purple-red fruits are edible raw and can also be made into jelly or wine. The fruits each contain a single hard seed. The flowers contain abundant nectar for honeybees, and the resulting Sea Grape honey is pale-colored and spicy.
Harpullia zanquebarica (Black Pearl) A genus of 37 species of small to medium-sized trees in the soapberry family Sapindaceae. It was first defined by Scottish botanist William Roxburgh in 1824.They have a wide distribution ranging from India eastwards into the Pacific Ocean. They are usually found in or on the margins of rainforests.
Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) The essential oil of ylang-ylang is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to relieve high blood pressure, normalize sebum secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac. According to Margaret Mead, it was used as such by South Pacific natives such as the Solomons where she did much of her research. The oil from ylang-ylang is widely used in perfumery for oriental or floral themed perfumes (like Chanel No. 5). Ylang-ylang blends well with most floral, fruit and wood smells, is a common ingredient in the herbal motion sickness remedy, MotionEaze.
Thevetia peruviana (Lucky Nut) Is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and planted as large flowering shrub or small ornamental tree standards in gardens and parks in temperate climates. The plant's toxins have tested in experiments for uses in biological pest control. The plants seed oil was used to make a 'paint' with antifungal, antibacterial and anti-termite properties. It is a plant toxin insecticide for termites. The toxins also inhibited spermatogenesis in rats, indicating the possibility of developing a herbal male contraceptive. Thevetia peruviana plants are toxic to most vertebrates as they contain cardiac glycosides. Many cases of intentional and accidental poisoning of humans are known.
PALMS Caryota mitis (Fishtail Palm) They are often known as fishtail palms because of the shape of their leaves. There are about 13 species native to Asia and the South Pacific. One of the more widely known species is Caryota urens, which yields sap used to make an unrefined sugar called jaggery, and also to make palm wine.
Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm) A plant native to southern Japan. Though often known by the common name of king sago palm, or just sago palm, it is not a palm at all, but a cycad. It is extremely poisonous to animals (this includes humans) if ingested. Pets are at particular risk since they seem to find the plant very palatable.
Cocos nucifera (Coconut palm) Found across much of the tropics, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Source says coconuts received the name from Portuguese explorers, the sailors of Vasco da Gama in India. The brown and hairy surface of coconuts reminded them of a ghost or witch called Coco. When coconuts arrived in England, they retained the coco name and nut was added.
Elaeis oleifera (Oil palm) The American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to tropical Central America and South America. The generic name is derived from the Greek for oil, elaion. There are two species of oil palm. The better known one originated in Guinea, Africa and was first illustrated by Nicholaas Jacquin in 1763, hence its name, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. Oil palms were introduced to Java by the Dutch in 1848 and to Malaysia (then the British colony of Malaya) in 1910 by Scotsman William Sime and English banker Henry Darby.
Beaucarnea recurvata, (Ponytail palm) The Ponytail palm (though it is not a true palm) is a species of Beaucarnea. The ponytail palm is native to the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and San Luis PotosĂ in eastern Mexico. The plants have a very noticeable caudex, for the purpose of storing water.
Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail Palm) Most of the world was unaware of the existence of this 'spectacular' palm until 1978, when an Aboriginal man brought it to botanists and the world's attention. The Aboriginal name of that Aboriginal man has been recorded as being "Wodyeti", thus the genus name for this Australian endemic species Wodyetia.
Adonidia merrillii (Manila Palm) Also known as the "Christmas Palm" because its fruits become bright scarlet and tend to be that color in winter. Adonidia comes from Adonis, the handsome sun god of the ancient Romans.
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (Bottle Palm) Bottle Palm has a large swollen (sometimes bizarrely so) trunk. It is a myth that the trunk is a means by which the palm stores water. While habitat destruction may destroy the last remaining palms in the wild, the survival of the species is assured due to its ubiquitous planting throughout the tropics and subtropics as a specimen plant.
Roystonea regia (Royal Palm) R. regia is used as a source of thatch, construction timber, and as a medicinal plant. The fruit is eaten by birds and bats and fed to livestock. Its flowers are visited by birds and bats. The genus was named for Roy Stone, a U.S. Army engineer
Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm) A species of date palm native to southeastern Asia from southwestern China (Yunnan Province)
Ravenala madagascariensis, (Traveler’s Palm) It is not a true palm . It has been given the name "traveller's palm" because the sheaths of the stems hold rainwater, which can be used as an emergency drinking supply, and also because the fan tends to grow in an east-west line, providing a crude compass. Ruffed lemurs are a known pollinator of this plant, and given the size and structure of the inflorescences, as well as the lemur's selectivity, method of feeding, and long muzzle, this relationship is thought to have coevolved
Ptychosperma macarthurii (Macarthur Palm) A species of palm in the Arecaceae family. It is found only in isolated occurrences in the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia, and New Guinea. Ptychosperma macarthurii was named for Sir William Macarthur (1800–1882), who was one of the most active and influential horticulturists in Australia in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Phoenix taiwanensis (voiavoi palm) An extremely variable species with a widespread distribution ranging from the Himalayas in northeastern India through China to the Philippines. Is usually found on grasslands and occasionally, along mountain streams at low medium altitudes and its conservation status threatened. Collection of the whole plant for ornamental purposes; fruit for food; leaves for raincoat-making, bags, hats, baskets, and others. The city of Phoenix, Arizona got its name from this genus because of its cultivation of Phoenix dactylifera, or date palms
Livistona chinensis. (Chinese fan palm) The Chinese fan palm is a variety of palm tree, native to Southern Japan, Taiwan and several islands in the South China Sea. They can attain heights of about 30 to 50 feet
Cover photograph Heliconius melpomene, the "Postman" on Jatropha integerrima Prepared by V. Ross Emsley Grenada Ornamental Nurseries