Haemanthus–commonly called blood lily–is a perennial bulb that produces globe-shaped clusters of flowers that bloom at the top of a leafless stem. Some flower umbels have as any as 100 very small but long tubular flowers, usually blood red colored–thus the common name. Haemanthus flowers are borne above basal strap-shaped leaves that reach 12 to […] More
Gloriosa lily is a tuberous, vining perennial that is cultivated for its brightly colored yellow, red, or purple flowers. It is often planted where it can scramble through other plants. It also can be grown as a houseplant. Gloriosa flowers are nodding and showy. They have 6 reflexed, wavy margins and red or purple tepals, […] More
Episcia–commonly called flame violet or carpet plant–is a small evergreen tropical perennial with long slender stems that produce small plantlets at their ends. The leaves are oval and hairy. The flowers are tubular to bell-shaped, flame red or metallic pink, and appear in spring and summer. Episcia stands about 6 inches (15cm) tall. Episcia are […] More
Citrus are subtropical, fruit-bearing trees. They can be grown as specimens outdoors and many can be grown indoors. Citrus include limes, oranges, lemons, citrons, grapefruits, mandarins, clementines, satsumas, and tangerines. Nearly all citrus have thick, leathery, and shiny green leaves and stems that are often spiny. They bear handsome flowers that are fragrant, white and […] More
Achimenes is a genus of upright and trailing tropical plants that bear heart-shaped leaves and tubular to flaring flowers in white, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue, lavender, and purple. Achimenes can be grown as bedding or border plant in tropical shade gardens. It can be grown in pots and hanging baskets as a houseplant in […] More
Strobilanthes–commonly called Persian shield–is an upright tropical shrub that is cultivated for its tubular, 2-lipped, often hooded blue to purple, white, and rarely yellow flower. The stems of Strobilanthes are furry and bear pairs of narrow, triangular leaves from 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) long. The upper leaf surfaces are dark green flushed with purple and […] More
Selaginella–commonly called club moss or moss fern–is a mossy, fernlike perennial that grows in mounded clumps or upright with creeping branches. Selaginella has a delicate airy effect. It thrives in moist, shady conditions. Selaginella are grown for their foliage. Selaginella is neither a true moss nor a true fern, but it has characteristics of both. […] More
Sarracenia–commonly called pitcher plant–is a carnivorous perennial native to bogs from Canada to Florida. Sarracenia grows from 6 to 36 inches tall from underground stems. Leaves form hollow tubes with short soft hairs on the edges and may be green, purple, or flushed with yellow. The lips of Sarracenia leaves secrete a nectar that attracts […] More
Radermachera is a genus of subtropical shrubs and trees that bear attractive glossy, dark green leaves that are light and wispy. One species, Radermachera sinica, is often sold as a small houseplant though it can grow to 9 feet (3m) tall indoors. Outdoors in its native tropical China, Radermachera can grow to 90 feet (30m) talll […] More
Pteris–commonly called table fern–is a small, upright fern that grows to about 20 inches (50cm) or more tall. Pteris has blackish or green stalks that bear solid green or striped feathery fronds to 24 inches long and 12 inches wide. Pteris is a long-lasting and easy to care for fern. It is commonly grown as […] More
Polypodium is a genus of ferns with deeply cut, arching fronds that may have a blue or gray cast. Polypodium are epiphytic ferns with furry, rust-colored stems that grow along the surface of the soil and resemble rabbits’ feet–thus the common name hare’s foot fern. Polypodium fronds grow from 12 to 36 inches long. The fronds […] More
Pisonia is a genus of tropical shrubs and small trees cultivared for their simple leaves. Oblong, leathery green leaves grow to 15 inches (38cm) long. They grow in whorled pairs along the stems. One species, Pisonia umbellifera, commonly called bird-catcher tree, is grown as a houseplant. Pisonia grows best in warm temperatures and bright filtered or […] More
Stephen Albert