Brunfelsia grandiflora is a member of the Solanaceae Family, which its most recognizable member is the Tomato Plant. Its common name, Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow, is aptly named, as its flowers start out purple, fading to pale lavender, and then to white over a 3-4 day period. When the shrub is in full bloom in late October –…
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One of the hardiest of vines introduced to the United States is Podranea ricasoliana, the Pink Trumpet Vine. During the fall, winter and spring it bears fragrant pale pink, bell-shaped flowers highlighted by red stripes. The glossy foliage is also attractive. The plant is one of the Bignoniaceae family, which also includes the Jacaranda Tree. The vine…
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Agaves comprise just over 200 species of succulent plants native to the New World, from the southwestern U.S. to northern South America. They are characterized by a rosette of fleshy, stiff leaves capable of withstanding severe heat and drought. Over time, the common name Century Plant has been attached to the genus on the claim that flowering occurs just…
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The Old Man Palm is endemic to Cuba, but grows very well as an ornamental landscape palm in S. Florida. It is a single trunk fan palm, with white-grey fibers covering the trunk. These fibers emerge from the new fronds and hang down and surround the trunk, giving the appearance of a grey beard, which is why this palm…
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The Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) is the largest butterfly occurring in the United States, with a wingspan that can reach 6″. The larvae are sometimes called ‘Orange Dogs’ due to their host plants being members of the Citrus (Rutaceae) family. They also feed on noncommercial members of this family, including a Florida native, Wild Lime…
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