The Curry Leaf Tree (Murraya koenigii) is a small tree 6-15′ from India and Sri Lanka. It tends to sucker from its surface roots giving it a shrubbier look than a single trunk tree. Most people don’t realize it is a member of the Citrus Family (Rutaceae). It produces small clusters of fragrant white flowers…
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Moringa oleifera is an excellent shade tree for South Florida attaining a height of 30-40′. However, its flowers and leaves are edible and have become popular with the health craze. The leaves and flowers can be steamed and have a high amount of protein, calcium, iron and vitamins B12 and C. The leaves are also…
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The Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) may be the least observed butterfly in South Florida. One very easy way to attract it though, is to grow parsley and dill in the winter months in your herb garden or in pots on your patio. In the spring when the plants are flowering and going to seed…
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Dombeya wallichii and Dombeya burgessiae ‘Seminole’ are commonly called Tropical Hydrangea due to their flowers looking very similar to the temperate Hydrangea. However, botanically they are in the Malvaceae family which is the Hibiscus or Mallow Family. So, in fact they are more closely related to Hibiscus than Hydrangea. Dombeya wallichii is more tree-like than…
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Conanga odorata is the full-size Ylang-Ylang Tree and Conanga odorata var. fruticosa is a dwarf Ylang-Ylang Tree. They both have very fragrant flowers in the evening and early morning hours. The full-size tree can attain a height of 30+ feet in South Florida, while its dwarf cousin maybe only 12-15′. The flowers of both look…
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