Vanilla planifolia, a member of the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae) is the primary species of orchid grown commercially to produce the very expensive vanilla extract. This orchid is actually a vine which starts out in the shade and grows up the trunks of trees, eventually flowering, when it gets high enough up in the tree it…
Read more
Gigantochloa atroviolacea is commonly called Tropical Black Bamboo or Java Black Bamboo. It is a dense tropical clumping bamboo native to S.E. Asia and can attain a height of 20-40 feet. This bamboo does well in drier well drained areas of South Florida. In fact, the purplish black color is more intense under these growing…
Read more
Manilkara zapota is native to Mexico and Central America but grows quite well in South Florida. The white latex sap of this tree was once a source for chiclets chewing gum. Today the tree is grown for the sweet brown fruits and also as a shade tree. Richard Lyons Nursery currently has ripe fruit on…
Read more
Ziziphus jujuba is a fruit tree in the Rhamnaceae or Buckthorn Family, that grows very well in S. Florida. Its origin is southern Asia and has been cultivated in China for 4000 years where there are 400 known varieties. It can attain a height of 20′ and 12′ wide with shiny green foliage and bears a small oval fruit in…
Read more
Three native Lantana species. Lantana is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Verbenaceae family (Verbena Family). The first of these native lantanas is Lantana depressa var. depressa (Pineland Lantana). Easily identified by its solid yellow flowers. This plant grows in the Pine Rocklands habitat which has been greatly reduced in area over the…
Read more
Zamia integrifolia (Coontie) is a Florida native cycad occurring in 2/3 of the state including Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Florida Keys. In the last 5-10 years, this cycad has been grown in cultivation in large quantities and commonly sold by nurseries to the homeowner to plant as a host plant to attract the beautiful Atala…
Read more