A to Z of plants continuation

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #60 on: June 26, 2019, 06:36:12 PM »
Bit late today, been a busy day.
Despite the marked difference in flower shape these are both Dietes, D. bicolor and D. grandiflora.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #61 on: June 27, 2019, 06:01:16 AM »
Our Persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is still small but manages to produce 1 or 2 fruit each year. In October 2017 we acquired a specimen of its cousin, Diospyros nigra, that goes under the common name of Chocolate Pudding tree. Apparently the fruit have the taste and consistency of chocolate pudding. We are eagerly awaiting the first signs of fruit in order to test this out. Unfortunately not this year.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #62 on: June 28, 2019, 07:14:03 AM »
Duranta erecta survives quite well with limited water, but the pale flowers don't stand out in the high light intensity of the summer months. Much more striking are the darker flowers of its cousin D. erecta 'Sweet Memories'.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #63 on: June 29, 2019, 06:40:46 AM »
Last year we obtained an Echeveria pulvinata from a specialist cactus nursery here on the island. It seems to have settled well and begun to flower.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #64 on: June 30, 2019, 08:47:27 AM »
Echinopsis oxygona, and we also have E. backebergii.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #65 on: July 01, 2019, 06:59:36 AM »
The flowers of Eleagnus angustifolia may be small but they have a strong scent. The fruit are an acquired taste that I have never acquired having, to my mind, the consistency of cotton wool.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #66 on: July 02, 2019, 06:40:01 AM »
Emilia coccinea is described as an annual but ours has been growing and flowering in a pot for at least 2 years to date.
Probably named after someone but just who Emilia was is apparently not known.
Nor is it clear who the Flora is in its common name of Flora's paintbrush.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #67 on: July 03, 2019, 12:21:55 PM »
Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a night-flowering cactus that needs to use all means possible to attract nighttime pollinators. So it produces enormous flowers that are very pale, to show up in the dark, and emits a powerful aroma. To appreciate them you need to stay awake as they open late and by the morning are hanging like limp rags.
I don't have a current photo of ours but we do also possess a number of the many hybrids that have been bred from the species. These have the benefit of being more colourful than the parent, open during the day and stay open for as long as 3 days. On the down side they have lost the amazing scent.
We have;
Madagascar
Orange Crush
Desert Moon
King Midas
and also Elektra, JT Barber, Ambrosia.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #68 on: July 04, 2019, 06:24:52 AM »
This Australian native is well named, Eremophila glabra. Eremos = desert, phila = friend, and we have certainly found ours to be drought tolerant.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #69 on: July 05, 2019, 06:32:54 AM »
Eriocephalus africanus is another drought tolerant shrub.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #70 on: July 06, 2019, 06:18:39 AM »
Some years ago we acquired a specimen of Eugenia uniflora. This is reputed to grow into a tall tree but ours has remained stubbornly small. Nor has it shown any sign of flowering or setting fruit. Maybe one day we'll be able to sample one of its cherry-like berries.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #71 on: July 07, 2019, 07:01:42 AM »
Euphorbia dendroides displaying the ultimate adaptation to drought tolerance, a form of aestivation, a complete shut-down during the summer months.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

Umbrian

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #72 on: July 07, 2019, 08:18:20 AM »
Interesting John - would be great to see photos of its emergence from this state.......
MGS member living and gardening in Umbria, Italy for past 19 years. Recently moved from my original house and now planning and planting a new small garden.

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John J

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #73 on: July 07, 2019, 10:34:10 AM »
Carole, the first photo was taken in autumn last year as it was beginning to reemerge and the second a few years ago in its full glory.
Cyprus Branch Head. Gardens in a field 40 m above sea level with reasonably fertile clay soil.
"Aphrodite emerged from the sea and came ashore and at her feet all manner of plants sprang forth" John Deacon (13thC AD)

Umbrian

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Re: A to Z of plants continuation
« Reply #74 on: July 08, 2019, 03:54:51 AM »
Many thanks John - that is amazing to see.......and I have added to my vocabulary  :)
MGS member living and gardening in Umbria, Italy for past 19 years. Recently moved from my original house and now planning and planting a new small garden.