Author: Steve Turner

Rare & Unusual Tropical Trees & Plants, Flowering, Fruit, Native, Palm, Bamboo, Heliconia, Hummingbird, Butterfly

Under The Jakfruit Tree

A couple of months ago I wrote a short blurb about Red Firespike (odontonema strictum) as it was in full bloom. Well it is still in full bloom. There is nothing significant about that fact, but now its cousin, Purple Firespike (odontonema callistachyum), has joined Red Firespike in full bloom. The two together make a…
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January 31, 2021 0

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Tropical Hydrangea is probably not a very good common name given the fact this plant is not related to Hydrangea at all. However, the flowers strikingly, do resemble the temperate species. I am referring to Dombeya wallichii. About a month ago I wrote about its cousin, Dombeya burgessiae ‘Seminole’. Dombeya wallichii also attracts an abundance…
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January 24, 2021 0

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Today’s topic brings me to 3 native Lantana species. Lantana is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the Verbenaceae family (Verbena Family). The first native lantana is Lantana depressa var. depressa (Pineland Lantana). This plant grows in the Pine Rocklands habitat which has been greatly reduced in area over the years due to development.…
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January 10, 2021 0

Under The Jakfruit Tree

A winter blooming vine is today’s topic. The vine is the Garlic Vine (Mansoa alliacea). Some may know the old botanical name, Cydista aequinoctialis. It is native to Northern South America, where it is called by its Spanish name, ajos sacha (False Garlic). It is so named due to the strong garlic smell and flavor…
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January 3, 2021 0

Under The Jakfruit Tree

Mandarin Hat or China Hat Plant  (Holmskioldia sanguinea) is well named due to the flower shape.  It does in fact resemble a hat from the far east.  This Asian shrub flowers most heavily between October and May.   This is ideal for South Florida since this shrub is an excellent hummingbird nectar source and that…
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December 27, 2020 0