We have Jackfruit

Posted on by July 26, 2020
Jackfruit on the tree

Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) on the tree.

I know some of you have been waiting since last season ended. The wait is finally over. The jackfruit is back, and we have a beautiful fruit this year.

If you aren’t familiar with jackfruit, this is a tropical treasure. It has a unique flavor somewhere between banana and pineapple mixed with other tropical notes of flavor. The spiny fruits are spectacular in size and can get upwards of 70 pounds.

For a really unique experience, come by Richard Lyons Nursery in Miami today and buy some jackfruit for a taste of this Asian treasure.

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Posted on by September 20, 2020

Two new groundcover plants to try at Richard Lyons Nursery. The first is a native in the Aster Family (Asteraceae), Florida Cinchweed (Pectis linearifolia). It has very delicate foliage and tiny yellow flowers. It is a fast grower and can tolerate partial shade. The second plant, Spanish Shawl (Heterocentron elegans) is related to Tibouchina, and when you see the flower, it is quite apparent. While this plant is not a native, it is a low growing free flowering groundcover in the Melastome Family (Melastomaceae). Another fast grower, and a very attractive plant for a hanging basket.

  • Pectis linearifolia (Florida Cinchweed)
  • Pectis linearifolia (Florida Cinchweed)
  • Heterocentron elegans (Spanish Shawl)
  • Heterocentron elegans (Spanish Shawl)

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Posted on by September 13, 2020

Skyblue Clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos) is a native to South Florida occurring in Collier, Monroe, Dade, and Broward counties. It is a member of the Morning Glory Family (Convolvulaceae). It is a perennial woody vine with very tiny leaves and flowers. While the flowers are small, they are bright blue with white centers, born in abundance year round contrasting against the dark green foliage making them very conspicuous. The flowers are an excellent pollen and nectar source for honey bees and skipper butterflies.

Richard Lyons Nursery currently has this vine in stock.

  • Jacquemontia pentanthos (Skyblue Cluster Vine)
  • Jacquemontia pentanthos (Skyblue Cluster Vine)
  • Jacquemontia pentanthos (Skyblue Clustervine)

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Posted on by August 30, 2020

Vitex agnus-castus (Lilac Chaste Tree or Shrub) is native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, but grows very well in South Florida. The leaves resemble maple leaves and the flowers resemble lilacs and are even fragrant like lilac flowers. Some may consider it a tree, and it can be grown as a single trunk, but it tends to grow as a large shrub if left to do so. It can attain a height of 10-15 feet tall. Even in South Florida, this shrub is mostly deciduous during the winter months. If your planting a fragrant garden, you should consider this plant.

Richard Lyons Nursery currently has this plant in stock.

  • Vitex agnus-castus (Lilac Chaste Tree) with a Skipper Butterfly feeding on nectar
  • Vitex agnus-castus (Lilac Chaste Tree)

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Posted on by August 23, 2020

Two common names, one Thailand Powderpuff and the other Pink Powderpuff, and thus the confusion with common names. These two plants are not related at all and come from opposite ends of the world. Thailand Powderpuff doesn’t even come from Thailand, but rather from tropical Africa. Pink Powderpuff comes from South America. Botanical names are very distinctive and leave no confusion. So, Thailand Powderpuff (Combretum constrictum) is in the Combretaceae Family and Pink Powderpuff (Calliandra surinamensis) is in the Fabaceae Family. Two things they do both have in common is that they both thrive in South Florida, and they bloom year round. Although they are considered shrubs, they both get a substantial trunk and can reach 10-15 feet in height.

Richard Lyons Nursery currently has these plants in stock.

  • Combretum constrictum (Thailand Powderpuff)
  • Combretum constrictum (Thailand Powderpuff)
  • Calliandra surinamensis (Pink Powderpuff)
  • Calliandra surinamensis (Pink Powderpuff)

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Posted on by August 16, 2020

This week’s highlight is on 2 grasses that resemble bamboo, but are in fact true grasses. The first is Pogo Grass (Pogonatherum paniceum). This is a clumping grass with very delicate stalks forming an umbrella shape 2-3 feet tall. Pogon is greek for beard, which its fine dense appearance resembles. This grass can be used as a border to a garden, a stand alone specimen, or even in a decorative pot on a patio.

The second grass is Bamboo Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia dumosa). This grass is closely related to our native Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). However, this much larger species is native to Arizona and California, and is bamboo like and can reach 4-6 feet in height. It has a very fine and delicate appearance, which makes it a very attractive stand alone specimen in the landscape.

Richard Lyons Nursery has both of these grasses in stock.

  • Pogonatherum paniceum (Pogo Grass)
  • Pogonatherum paniceum (Pogo Grass)
  • Muhlenbergia dumosa (Bamboo Muhly Grass)
  • Muhlenbergia dumosa (Bamboo Muhly Grass)