africa

Angraecoid Orchids (945 readers)

Contributed by amazon 01.04 2007 on 19:10:07 Topic: Other / Books Match on Article's text

Species from the African Region | These so-called jewels of Africa with their sparkling flowers, distinctive growth habit and floriferous nature are much prized and this account, the first to include the angraecoid orchids of both Africa and Madagascar, is long awaited. It brings together, in a single volume, descriptions of all 690 species in this intriguing group of orchids and will be the essential reference for all angraecoid orchid enthusiasts for years to come. ...

Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (701 readers)

Contributed by amazon 01.04 2007 on 18:44:34 Topic: Other / Books Match on Title and Article's text

This comprehensive field guide covers the identification, biology, and conservation of more than 520 species of orchid found in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The detailed text and over 1000 color photographs and line drawings allow specialists, as well as avid botanists and interested tourists, to identify the wild orchids of the region with precision ...

Isolepis cernua - Fiber Optic Grass (968 readers)

Contributed by amazon 04.06 2007 on 09:26:59 Topic: Plants / Grass, Grasses Match on Article's text

It looks like a rush, even a lighted fiber optics lamp, but it really is a sedge. For a perpetually wet or boggy area, this sedge might do the trick. This is a great grass for mixed containers, giving them movement and interest. Fiber Optic Grass is native to Southern Europe, the British Isles, and Northern Africa. ...

Subtropical and Dry Climate Plants (953 readers)

Contributed by amazon 01.04 2007 on 19:03:54 Topic: Other / Books Match on Article's text

The Definitive Practical Guide | Climate change, the need to conserve water, the desire for more exotic and dramatic plants-all of these are prompting gardeners to seek out interesting new plants that thrive in subtropical or dry climates and microclimates. This book offers expert guidance and sensible advice on a wide range of plants-native to California, Florida, Australasia, South America, South Africa, Turkey, and the Mediterranean region-that can be successfully cultivated in many regions o ...

Cynara scolymus - Globe Artichoke (626 readers)

Contributed by amazon 05.09 2007 on 08:49:32 Topic: Plants / Other Match on Article's text

Globe Artichokes were cultivated by the Greeks and Romans who obtained them from North Africa. They have been grown in England since at least the 1500s and were considered an aristocratic vegetable. King Henry VIII (1491-1547; he who had 6 wives but could produce only 3 children) was particularly fond of artichokes, possibly because they were (mistakenly) thought to be an aphrodisiac. ...

Adromischus trigynus - Calico Hearts (705 readers)

Contributed by amazon 07.07 2007 on 11:10:25 Topic: Plants / Sukulents, Cactuses Match on Article's text

The Calico Hearts Plant (Adromischus trigynus) is a small succulent plant native to South Africa. It is an easy to grow plant and with the spotting makes it a very showy succulent. This plant needs full sun, warm temperatures, and a well-drained potting mix. During the growing season (May-October) water once a week. During the winter water once every two weeks. The Calico Hearts Plant is easily propagated for leaf and stem cuttings. ...

The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs (620 readers)

Contributed by amazon 08.04 2007 on 10:14:01 Topic: Other / Books Match on Article's text

This first complete account of all the bulbous plants of the Cape Floral Region is an essential aid to the identification of all species presently in cultivation. ...

Clerodendrum thomsoniae - Bleeding Heart Vine (908 readers)

Contributed by amazon 03.07 2007 on 09:48:02 Topic: Plants / Climber Plants Match on Article's text

The Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) is an attractive bushy, tropical looking twining vine. Glossy dark green leaves are from 5 to 7 inches long (18 cm). It is hardy in zones 10 and 11 and in cooler areas should be grown outdoors in the summer and brought indoors during the winter. Prefers full sun or part-sun. This native of Africa can vine up to 6 feet and get over 2 feet wide. ...

Sauromatum venosum - Voodoo Lily (265 readers)

Contributed by amazon 16.09 2008 on 08:19:31 Topic: Plants / Tropical and Subtropical Plants Match on Article's text

Sauromatum venosum - India Voodoo Lily A very unusual, shade loving plant that produces a tubular shaped, purplish green flower with dark purple markings which surround a blackish purple central spike, making the spike look like it has been provided its own vase. Following the bloom of the flowers, large 2-3, finger-like, lovely green leaves emerge on 2 purple mottled and speckled stems, providing an umbrella for its roots. ...

Ricinus communis 'Zanzibarensis' - Castor Bean (712 readers)

Contributed by amazon 11.08 2007 on 07:52:20 Topic: Plants / Other Match on Article's text

THE CASTOR BEAN is a shrub-like plant with large, long-stemmed leaves that are lobed like fingers. Its spiny, clustered seed pods contain white, bean-like seeds (Botanically speaking, it isnt a true bean, but a Spurge), which typically bear attractive markings in various colours. The plant is native to tropical Africa, but it is grown commercially in California and has become naturalized throughout the southern United States. In northern areas, it is often cultivated, in the warmer months, as an ...

Ochna serrulata - Mickey Mouse Plant (1489 readers)

Contributed by amazon 04.12 2007 on 11:46:12 Topic: Plants / Tropical and Subtropical Plants Match on Article's text

The Mickey Mouse Plant, Ochna serrulata , is a well known garden shrub that grows to about 9 feet high. Originally a native of southern Africa, Ochna has small, single yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to summer. A useful garden plant, in cooler regions it can also be grown as a patio plant, outside during the summer and indoors during the winter. ...

Agapanthus x hybrida - Blue Umbrella Lily of the Nile (898 readers)

Contributed by amazon 14.06 2007 on 08:58:37 Topic: Plants / Perennials Match on Article's text

These beautiful and hardy plants are native to southern Africa. It becomes a very strong perennial for Zones 6-9. These grass-like clumps will usually grow between one and three feet. Their leaves are narrow and they are popular for their green foliage and long summer blooms. The leaves grow from the fleshy rhizome roots. ...

Agapanthus africanus - Lily of the Nile, African Lily (1108 readers)

Contributed by amazon 04.07 2007 on 10:21:58 Topic: Plants / Perennials Match on Title and Article's text

Agapanthus for Gardeners (845 readers)

Contributed by amazon 19.05 2007 on 09:11:08 Topic: Other / Books Match on Article's text

Agapanthus have been cultivated and hybridized extensively since they were first brought to the attention of botanists and gardeners in the 17th century. Native to South Africa, the genus includes 6 species and 14 subspecies, both deciduous and evergreen, and more than 600 interesting and dramatic cultivars. Flowers range in color from pure white through greyish-blue to very dark blue, and plants vary from delightful miniatures for smaller gardens or containers to more imposing forms suitable fo ...

Pleiospilos bolusii - Living Rock Cactus (1167 readers)

Contributed by amazon 14.01 2008 on 12:00:25 Topic: Plants / Sukulents, Cactuses Match on Article's text

The genus Pleiospilos is comprised of four species and four subspecies. The genus name is derived from the greek words pleios (full) and spilos (dots), which refers to the many dots on the plants. The plants are also known as kwaggavy (Quagga mesemb), lewerplant (liver plant), lewervygie (liver mesemb), klipplant (stone plant) and split rock. ...

Design and Landscape for People (600 readers)

Contributed by amazon 21.10 2007 on 11:53:58 Topic: Other / Books Match on Article's text

New Approaches to Renewal | The new community planning: invaluable strategies for creative rebuilding and renovating from around the world. For many years planning was something done in the name of progress by distant committees with the abstract aim of tidying boundaries and controlling growth. In the past decade, however, heavy-handed ideology has given way to a new generation of planners from diverse backgrounds—architecture, landscape, even art and performance—who seek fresh, creative ways o ...

Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' - Asparagus Fern (1234 readers)

Contributed by amazon 20.05 2007 on 19:15:04 Topic: Plants / Ferns Match on Article's text

Form: mounding, spreading or trailing clump with delicate appearance Seasonality: evergreen perennial Size: 12-24in, spread to 3ft; rapid growth Leaves: delicate needlelike leaves, ferny; tiny thorns present despite soft appearance of plant; foliage is bright green or yellow green Flowers: small waxy white flowers scattered throughout plant; not conspicuous; sporadic blooming Fruit: small red berries, 1/4in in diameter Stems/Trunks: green branches, arching or cascading appearance; sprawls Range/ ...

Cyperus percamenthus - Dwarf Giant Papyrus (904 readers)

Contributed by amazon 02.08 2007 on 10:26:18 Topic: Plants / Perennials Match on Article's text

Long on beauty and history, papyrus has been known and used by Man for millennia. Soft green clouds of papyrus lined the Nile River during the time of the pharaohs. The infant Moses was found among the bulrushes. Ancient Egyptians kept records of their pyramid building activities on papyrus sheets, from which we get the word paper. Today papyrus is appreciated for its beauty and is often used in ornamental landscapes. Like other sedges, the stem is triangular in cross section, and contains a whi ...

Swietenia macrophylla - Big Leaf Mahogany (2331 readers)

Contributed by amazon 18.11 2007 on 12:32:30 Topic: Plants / Tropical and Subtropical Plants Match on Article's text

Mahogany- Swietenia macrophylla- The national tree of Belize, mahogany has long been harvested for its valuable lumber. Known for its beautiful color, grain and durability it is often used for high end furniture. Mahogany can be found throughout southern Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and western Africa. Being both beautiful and valuable mahogany is the most important export timber of tropical America. Many tropical communities are concerned about the over harvesting of mahog ...

Jubaea chilensis - Chilean Wine Palm (961 readers)

Contributed by amazon 14.08 2007 on 08:11:19 Topic: Plants / Other Match on Article's text

Jubaea chilensis; Family: Palmae/Arecaceae (palm family); Common Names: Chilean wine palm, coquito palm, honey palm. This Incredible Hulk of the palm world, Jubaea chilensis, dominates the landscape with his thick muscular trunk. The straight gray trunks can grow to over 3 ft (0.9 m) in diameter and soar to heights of 80 ft (24.4 m). In older specimens, the trunk typically constricts near the top to form the brutes shoulders upon which rest a proportionally small head that is composed of densely ...