Plant of the Day: Mentha

DESCRIPTION: This is a large group of well-known perennial herbs, which are widely spread over the temperate parts of the world. Mentha includes the Apple Mint, Curly Mint, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Pineapple Mint, Spearmint and Water or Bog Mint. Following are descriptions of each variety.
Apple Mint (M. suaveolens) - This hardy perennial is a very robust grower. Apple Mint has interesting light green leaves. They are somewhat hairy on the upper surface and downy underneath, with serrated edges. They can grow up to 3 feet high, but should be kept lower.
Curly Mint (M. spicata variety crispii) - This plant is valued more for its intricately curled, fringed leaves than for its fragrance. The foliage is dark green and lightly splotched with a contrasting lighter green. They can grow up to 2 feet high and are invasive. Chefs like Curly Mint for garnishes, but prefer the pleasant flavor of Spearmint and Peppermint.
Pennyroyal (M. pulegium) - This creeping Mint is used once in a while as a ground cover in cool climates. It has many stems, which grow up to 12 inches high and are covered with small, round to oval, dark green leaves. In the summer it produces bluish-lilac blossoms. Pennyroyal has an enjoyable lemony aroma and is used to flavor meat puddings and fish entrees.
Peppermint (M. piperita) - This spreading plant has a sharp, penetrating yet pleasant, mint aroma. It grows 1 to 2 feet high, but can reach 3 feet when in bloom. The lance-shaped leaves are deeply notched when mature and the flowers are usually purple.
Pineapple Mint (M. suaveolens 'Variegata') - Pineapple Mint is a variegated hybrid of Apple Mint with white or cream blotches on its leaves. It does have a slight Pineapple scent, but the aroma isn't always detectable. This Mint is good for garnishes because the thick leaves are slow to wilt.
Spearmint (M. spicata) - This is considered one of the most popular and versatile garden Mint. Spearmint has a fruity aroma and flavor and blends well in many foods, including salads, sauces, teas and dips. This plant can reach 2 to 3 feet in height when in bloom. It has bright green leaves and purple flowers. Its toothed leaves lack stems, distinguishing this plant from Peppermint.
Water or Bog Mint (M. aquatica) - This aggressive Mint is great for growing along the margins of water gardens, though care must be taken that it doesn’t become troublesome. The Bog Mint grows to a height of 2 or 3 feet. It produces pairs of very fragrant, elliptic-shaped, serrated leaves that are usually tinted with purple and shaded with even more purple on their undersides. The leaves grow from reddish colored stems. In the summer, whorls of lilac colored flowers grow at the stem tips. The leaves may be used to flavor salads and teas.

VARIETIES:
Apple Mint - M. suaveolens.
Curly Mint - M. spicata variety crispii.
Pennyroyal - M. pulegium.
Peppermint - M. piperita.
Pineapple Mint - M. suaveolens 'Variegata'.
Spearmint - M. spicata. The large-leaved cultivar Scotch and the small-leaved Native contain the most mint oil. Kentucky Colonel is a strongly scented hybrid favored for juleps. Curly and variegated cultivars also exist.
Water or Bog Mint - M. aquatica.

Mentha (also known as Mint, from Greek míntha, Linear B mi-ta) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae (mint family).  The species are not clearly distinct and estimates of the number of species varies from 13 to 18. Hybridization between some of the species occurs naturally. Many other hybrids as well as numerous cultivars are known in cultivation. The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America.
Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs. They have wide-spreading underground and overground stolons and erect, square, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrate margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow. The flowers are white to purple and produced in false whorls called verticillasters. The corolla is two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The fruit is a small, dry capsule containing one to four seeds.
While the species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in many environments, most Mentha grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate area. Due to their tendency to spread unchecked, mints are considered invasive.

{[http://www.botany.com/mentha.html]}
{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha]}

Plant of the Day: Dulichium - Water Bamboo

DESCRIPTION: This aquatic plant is commonly known as Water Bamboo. Though it doesn't belong to the Bamboo family, it does resemble the plant. This plant can grow 2 feet high or more. It has slender, green leaves and tiny, unnoticeable flowers during the summer.
VARIETIES: D. arundinaceum.

Dulichium, Dolicha, or Doliche (Greek: Δουλίχιον)[1] was a place noted by numerous ancient writers that was either a city on, or an island off, the Ionian Sea coast of Acarnania, Greece.

In the Iliad, Homer says that Meges, son of Phyleus, led 40 ships to Troy from Dulichium and the sacred islands he calls Echinae (the Echinades), which are situated beyond the sea, opposite Elis. Phyleus was the son of Augeas, king of the Epeians in Elis, who emigrated to Dulichium because he had incurred his father's anger. In the Odyssey, Dulichium is frequently mentioned along with Same, Zacynthus, and Ithaca as one of the islands subject to Odysseus, and is celebrated for its fertility.
The site of Dulichium gave rise to much dispute in antiquity. Hellanicus supposed that it was the ancient name of Kefalonia; and Andron, that it was one of the cities of Kefalonia, which Pherecydes supposed to be Pale, an opinion supported by Pausanias. However, Strabo maintains that Dulichium was one of the Echinades, and identifies it with Dolicha (ἡ Δολίχα), an island which he describes as situated opposite Oeniadae (Oinadai) and the mouth of the Achelous, and distant 100 stadia from the promontory of Araxos (Araxus) in Elis. Dolicha appears to be the same which now bears the synonymous appellation of Makri (Greek: Μάκρη), derived from its long narrow form.
Most modern writers have followed Strabo in connecting Dulichium with the Echinades, though it seems impossible to conclusively identify it with any particular island. It is observed by Leake that Petalas (Petalá), being the largest of the Echinades, and possessing the advantage of two well-sheltered harbours, seems to have the best claim to be considered the ancient Dulichium. It is, indeed, a mere rock, but being separated only by a strait of a few hundred meters from the fertile plains at the mouth of the Achelous and river of Oenia, its natural deficiencies may have been there supplied, and the epithets of grassy and abounding in wheat, which Homer applies to Dulichium — Δουλιχίου πολυπύρου, ποιήεντος — may be referred to that part of its territory. But Leake adds, with justice, that there is no proof in the Iliad or Odyssey that Dulichium, although at the head of an insular confederacy, was itself an island: it may very possibly, therefore, have been a city on the coast of Acarnania, opposite to the Echinades, perhaps at Tragamésti, or more probably at the harbour named Pandeléimona or Platyá, which is separated only by a channel of a mile or two from the Echinades.
Another story has Dulichium placed approximately 3 kilometers from the island of Kefalonia but reportedly sunk following an earthquake.

{[http://www.botany.com/dulichium.html]}
{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulichium]}

Quote of the Day

"Our environmental problems originate in the hubris of imagining ourselves as the central nervous system or the brain of nature.  We're not the brain, we are a cancer on nature." 

~Dave Foreman, Harper's, April 1990

Quote of the Day

A margin of life is developed by Nature for all living things - including man. All life forms obey Nature's demands - except man, who has found ways of ignoring them.

~Eugene M. Poirot, Our Margin of Life, 1978

Plant of the Day: Chrysanthemum

DESCRIPTION: These hardy plants are natives of China, Japan, northern Africa, and southern Europe. They belong to the Daisy family, Compositae. Their flowers come in every color except blue. Their blooms come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. Some are spherical in shape and have incurved petals at the center. Some have tubular-shaped petals of unequal length with little hooks at the end. Spoon Chrysanthemums have rather flat petals that are spoon-shaped at the end. Anemone Chrysanthemums have fairly flat, thin petals with shorter tubular petals in the center. Chrysanthemum carinatums are striking annuals with their beautiful yellow, purple and red rings. They originate in Morocco and grow 2-3 feet in height. C. maximum (Shasta Daisy) is a perennial found wild in Spain and Portugal. They form tufts of foliage close to the ground and in the summer, bear large, white flowers on 2- to 3-foot stems. Large plants of this variety tend to become straggly, so it is smart to lift the clumps every year or two and separate them. This assures finer blooms and more manageable plants. Only the young outer pieces should be chosen for replanting. C. rubellum is a herbaceous perennial that bears clusters of pale rose-pink flowers on 3-foot stems. C. cinerariaefolium's inflorescences are of considerable importance in the manufacture of Pyrethrum insecticides. C. balsamita (Costmary, Alecost, Bible-leaf, Sweet Mary, or Mint Geranium) is a sprawling, hardy perennial that reaches 3 feet in height when in bloom. The yellow flowers are rather sparse and the leaves are elongated, oval and toothed. They are leathery when dried and can be used as bookmarks. Fresh young Costmary leaves can be used in salads and to add a balsam flavor to beer, soups, and bread. Other Chrysanthemums will be listed below in the varieties section.

VARIETIES: Below are hardy perennials - C. maximum (Shasta Daisy) and some its best varieties are: Mount Shasta (double white), The Speaker (single white), Astrid (double white), Marconi (double white, frilled flowers), Alaska (white), Majestic (immense white flowers), Mark Riegal (large, white of distinct form) and Cobham Gold (cream, yellow center). C. rubellum (sprays of pale rose pink single flowers). C. Parthenium flore pleno (Feverfew - can grow in sun or shade - tons of small, double, white flowers and has a scent somewhat resembling Chamomile) and its variety aureum (Golden Feather - is dwarf with yellow leaves).C. uliginosum (herbaceous, large, white flowers).C. nipponicum (shrubby, stems don't die in the winter. Large, white, single, flowers resembling daisies - Great for borders, rock gardens and seaside gardens). C. Balsamita and its variety tanacetoides (commonly called Costmary, Sweet Mary and Mint Geranium). Costmary is grown in herb gardens and sometimes in flower borders and wild gardens & is naturalized in some parts of North America. Costmary was once reputable for its medicinal values and is used for flavoring foods. C. arcticum (native of the arctic regions. It produces white to lilac colored daisy-like flowers). C. yezoense (white flowers fade to a pinkish color). C. Zawadskii (pink flowers - 2 or less inches in diameter). Hardy annuals - These are derived from C. carinatum, C. segetum and C. coronarium: Morning Star (pale yellow), Evening Star (yellow), Northern Star (white), atrococcineum (red), Burridgeanum (white marked with crimson and yellow). Double varieties: Double White and Double Yellow and Bridal Robe (small, white flowers). Some other popular types are: C. frutescens (Marguerite or Paris Daisy); C. indicum and C. morifolium (scinensis). Here are the classifications of Chrysanthemums:
Japanese, Large Exhibition or Large Irregular - Have broad, irregularly incurved petals with blooms larger than 6 in. across. Large or Exhibition Incurves - Have petals overlapping regularly and blooms larger than 6 in. across. Intermediate Regular Incurves - Similar but with blooms over 5 in., but not more than 6 in. across. Small Regular Incurves - Similar but with blooms not over 5 in. across. Decoratives - Petals are regularly or irregularly reflexed. This is the most common garden class; the blooms measure 1½ to several inches across. The petals can be long. Singles - Have disc florets that form Daisy or Marguerite "eye" in the center of the flower. The ray florets are arranged in not more than 5 rows. Semidoubles - The ray florets are arranged in more than 5 rows but the disc is clearly evident as a daily-like eye. Anemones - The ray florets are in 5 or fewer rows and shorter petaloid disc flowers form a cushion-like center. Pompons - Blooms are usually spherical, though sometimes they are almost flat when small. They are usually not over 4 in. wide. Some Pompon varieties have incurved petals in the center of the flower head. Spoons - Have disc florets that are rather flat and ray florets that are regularly arranged and spoon-shaped. Quills - The disc shouldn't show, but tubular florets issue from the center and form a globular flower head. The tips of the petals may be recurved or spoon-shaped. Spiders - Have relatively long, thin and tubular petals of irregular length, sinuous or hooked at the tips. Threads - The disc may or may not show. The ray florets are of unequal length, tubular and delicate. Azaleamums and Cushion Chrysanthemums - Dwarf, spreading garden varieties of hardy character. Cascades - This name is applied to the varieties that have thin, wiry stems that can easily be trained to grow downward from pots and baskets to form a cascade effect when in bloom. The term Cascade refers mainly to the mode of training; the same varieties grown naturally develop into regular bushy plants.

Chrysanthemums, often called mums or chrysanths, are of the genus (Chrysanthemum) constituting approximately 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae which is native to Asia and northeastern Europe.

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum]}
{[http://www.botany.com/chrysanthemum.html]}

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Plant of the Day: Colocasia

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of six tender, tuberous-rooted perennials, commonly known as Elephant Ears. Elephant Ears are natives of tropical countries and are grown for their beautiful, large leaves. They are suitable for growing in containers, borders, and also bog gardens because they tolerate wet soil, even standing water. The handsome, large leaves of these plants grow atop 3- to 7-foot stems and can reach a length of 2 or 3 feet themselves. The leaves are held perpendicular to the stem (called a peltate leaf - see dictionary), so that they face outward and point to the ground; thus their beauty is completely seen. C. esculenta (Taro Root; Dasheen) has heart- to arrow-shaped, smooth green leaves. This species has been grown for over a thousand years for its edible tubers, which are a staple in the diet of people from India to the South Pacific. The Taro roots were boiled and eaten and the tender leaves were cooked as greens. However, they are poisonous if not prepared correctly. Even though the leaves of C. esculenta are a deep green, there are several varieties with variegated foliage and stems. Variety 'Fontanesia' produces green leaves on very dark purple petioles (leaf stalks). Variety 'Black Magic' is a gorgeous plant with such dark plum leaves they appear black. The leaves grow on dark burgundy-black stems.

VARIETIES: C. esculenta & var. Fontanesia, Black Magic, rubra; C. antiquorum.

Colocasia is a genus of 25 or more species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical Polynesia and southeastern Asia. Common names include Elephant-ear, Taro, Cocoyam, Dasheen, and Eddoe. Elephant-ear and Cocoyam are also used for some other large-leaved genera in the Araceae, notably Xanthosoma and Caladium. The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Nelumbo nucifera, κολοκασιον (kolokasion).
They are herbaceous perennial plants with a large rhizome on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large, 20–150 cm (7.9–59 in) long, with a sagittate shape. The elephant's-ear plant gets its name from the leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield.

{[http://www.botany.com/colocasia.html]}
{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colocasia]}

Quote of the Day

When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal.  When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman.  


~Joseph Wood Krutch

Plant of the Day: Phragmites

DESCRIPTION: These tall, aquatic perennials, commonly known as the Common Reed Grass, are natives of North America and many other regions. P. maxima is an attractive Grass for landscape planting. Growing up to 15 feet high, this variety is too invasive and large for most water gardens. It produces plumed flower heads that can be dried and used for decoration. This plant grows naturally in marshes with brackish or sweet water. P. australis 'Aurea', the Variegated Dwarf Common Reed, is a handsome Grass with green foliage variegated with yellow. Its flower plumes may also be dried and used in floral arrangements. This species isn't as vigorous growing as P. Maxima and only grows 3 to 4 feet in height. It is suitable for growing in your water garden.

VARIETIES:

P. maxima & var. variegata;

P. australis & var. Aurea.

Phragmites, the Common reed, is a large perennial grass found in wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world. Phragmites australis is sometimes regarded as the sole species of the genus Phragmites, though some botanists divide Phragmites australis into three or four species. In particular the South Asian Khagra Reed – Phragmites karka – is often treated as a distinct species.

{[http://www.botany.com/phragmites.html]}

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phragmites]}

Quote of the Day

"A virgin forest is where the hand of man has never set foot." 

~Author Unknown

 

 

Plant of the Day: Echinocereus

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about fifty cacti from the southern U.S. and Mexico. These pretty cacti come in a wide range of shapes and colors. Some species form round, spiny mounds and are commonly called Hedgehog Cacti, while others develop thin, rambling stems. The flower buds of these succulents form inside the stems, bursting out near the stem tips in late spring and early summer. The flowers open completely in full sun and come in an array of colors such as yellow, orange, red, pink, purple and white. Since the flowers break through the skin as they open, a small scar may be left behind. Sometimes the dead flowers can cause a stem to rot; therefore, remove any withered flowers. E. chloranthus (Cylinder Bells) is an interesting species that grows up to 5 inches high. Its colorful spines range from red or brown to cream. In the spring, an abundance of brownish-green flowers are produced at the plant's crown. This variety needs a dry winter dormancy. E. rigidissimus var. rubrispinus (Rainbow Cactus) is a very pretty variety that grows up to 8 inches high with a 2-inch diameter. In good light, the short spines of this plant will grow in red and white bands. This plant will blossom when fairly young. In early summer, a ring of 23/4-inch, pink to magenta, light-throated flowers are produced at the crown of each stem. E. triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Hedgehog) grows up to 8 inches high producing corrugated ribs armed with formidable spines. The beautiful, cup-shaped flowers of this plant have brilliant scarlet petals and contrasting bright green stigmas. Small, pink berries follow the blossoms. E. papillosus forms clumps of sprawling stems, 3/4- to 11/4-inch thick and 12 inches long. This species is excellent for growing in hanging baskets. In early summer, 41/2-inch, yellow flowers with red centers are produced.

VARIETIES: E. coccineus & var. neomexicanus; E. papillosus; E. pentalophus; E. rigidissimus & var. rubrispinus; E. poselgeri; E. pulchellus; E. reichenbachii; E. subinermis; E. viridiflorus; E. schmollii; E. chloranthus (Cylinder Bells); E. stramineus (Porcupine Hedgehog); E. knippelianus; E. scheeri; E. cinerascens; E. triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Hedgehog); E. subinermis; E. enneacanthus & var. conglomeratus (Strawberry Cactus); E. engelmanii; E. pectinatus & var. neomexicanus, rigidissimus; E. reichenbachii (Lace Cactus) & var. albispinus.

Echinocereus is a genus of ribbed, usually small to medium-sized cylindrical cacti, comprising about 70 species from the southern United States and Mexico in very sunny rocky places. Usually the flowers are large and the fruit edible.

The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἐχῖνος (echinos), meaning "hedgehog," and the Latin cereus meaning "candle." They are sometimes known as hedgehog cacti, a term also used for the Pediocactus and Echinopsis.

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinocereus]}

{[http://www.botany.com/echinocereus.html]}

Plant of the Day: Amelan'chier

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of beautiful, flowering shrubs and trees mostly native of North America. They are commonly known as Serviceberries, Juneberries, Shadbush, Shad-blow and Snowy Mespilus. Serviceberries are some of the earliest spring-blooming trees. These trees have slender branches and smooth, pale gray bark. They begin to bloom in their first year producing a profusion of short spikes of pure-white, 1-inch flowers. The flowers are followed, in early summer, by small, sweet, red or purple berries. The berries are hidden among the dark green leaves and birds tend to devour them before gardeners realize they are ripening. They were a source of food in the pioneer days and are sometimes used in making jellies. A. canadensis (Downy Serviceberry) grows up 20 or 30 feet high and has an oval shape. It is covered in smooth, green leaves that are clothed with soft gray hairs when they first unfurl, thus the common name.

VARIETIES: A. canadensis (20-30 ft); A. oblongifolia (5-6 ft); A. laevis (30-40 ft); A. asiatica (30-40 ft); A. ovalis (6-9 ft); A. alnifolia (20 ft); A. grandiflor

Amelanchier (pronounced /æməˈlænʃɪər/ am-ə-lan-sheer), also known as shadbush, shadwood or shadblow, service- or sarvisberry, juneberry, saskatoon, sugarplum or wild-plum, and chuckley pear is a genus of about 20 species of shrubs and small deciduous trees in the Rosaceae (Rose family).

The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, growing primarily in early successional habitats. It is most diverse taxonomically in North America, especially in the northern United States and in Canada, and is native to every US state except Hawaii. Two species also occur in Asia, and one in Europe. The systematics (taxonomy) of shadbushes has long perplexed botanists, horticulturalists, and others, as suggested by the range in number of species recognized in the genus from 6 to 33 in two recent publications. A major source of complexity comes from the occurrence of apomixis (asexual seed production), polyploidy, and hybridization.

These plants are valued horticulturally, and their fruits are important to wildlife. Amelanchier species grow to 0.2–20 m tall, arborecent or suckering and forming loose colonies or dense clumps to single-stemmed. The bark is gray or less often brown, smooth or fissuring in older trees. The leaves are deciduous, cauline, alternate, simple, lanceolate to elliptic to orbiculate, 0.5–10 x 0.5–5.5 cm, thin to coriaceous, with surfaces abaxially glabrous or densely tomentose at flowering, abaxially glabrous or more or less hairy at maturity. The inflorescences are terminal, with 1–20 flowers, erect or drooping, either in clusters of one to four flowers, or in racemes with 4–20 flowers. The flowers have five white (rarely somewhat pink, yellow, or streaked with red), linear to orbiculate petals, 2.6–25 mm long, occasionally andropetalous (bearing apical microsporangia adaxially; only known in this genus in A. nantucketensis). The flowers appear in early spring, "when the shad run" according to tradition (leading to names such as "shadbush"). The fruit is a berry-like pome, red to purple to nearly black at maturity, 5–15 mm diameter, insipid to delectably sweet, maturing in summer.

{[http://www.botany.com/amelanchier.html]}

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelanchier]}

Plant of the Day: Acacia

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about 1,000 species that are found in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in Australia and Africa. These evergreens should not be confused with the trees and shrubs commonly known as acacia, which belong to the group Robinia. These tender evergreens are totally different and are commonly known as Mimosas and Wattles. The Australian types are called Wattles because their lumber was used by early settlers in the wattle-and-daub method of building homes. The attractive leaves of these plants are usually bipinnate, giving them a feathery appearance. Some, however, are phyllodes; these are expanded, flattened leaf stems that carry out the same functions of true leaves. Wattles mostly bear flowers in the winter or spring. The tiny yellow flowers are produced in small, fluffy, round- or bottlebrush-shaped clusters. A. armata (Kangaroo Thorn) is a large, thorny, dense shrub with small, slender, dark green phyllodes. In the spring, the length of the branches are clothed with tons of yellow flowers. A. baileyana var. Purpurea is a large shrub or small tree with pretty, feathery leaves that are deep purple when young, contrasting beautifully with the older, blue-green leaves. A. pravissima (Ovens Wattle) forms a small tree or large shrub with blue-green, triangular phyllodes. Each phyllode is equipped with a single thorn on its under side. Tons of small clusters of yellow flowers are borne early in the spring. Some of these plants are valued for their timber such as A. homalophylla (Myall Wood), A. melanoxylon (Australian Blackwood), A. decurrens dealbata (Silver Wattle), and A. acuminata (Raspberry Jam Wood). The hard, durable wood from some is used in different countries for building purposes, making furniture, tool handles and much more. Some Acacias are valued for the tannin in their bark or wood. Gum Arabic is a gum that exudes from the stems and branches of A. nilotica; this plant is found wild in the dry areas of tropical Africa and India. This gum is used for dyeing and printing. A perfume is obtained from the flowers of A. Farnesiana. This plant is grown commercially in southern France.

VARIETIES

A. acinacea : GOLD DUST WATTLE. Shade light to filrered

A. adunca : WALLANGARRA WATTLE.

A. amblygona

A. aneura : MULGA; YARRAN.

A. armata ;

A. baileyana & var. Purpurea : COOTAMUNDRA WATTLE.

A. beckleri : BARRIER RANGE WATTLE.

A. binervata : TWO-VEINED HICKORY.

A. binervia : COASTAL MYALL.

A. boormanii : SNOWY RIVER WATTLE.

A. brachybotrya : GREY MULGA.

A. buxifolia : BOX-LEAF WATTLE.

A. calamifolia : WALLOWA.

A. cardiophylla : WYALONG WATTLE.

A. conferta : GOLDEN TOP.

A. cultriformis : KNIFE-LEAF WATTLE.

A. dealbata : SILVER WATTLE.

A. deanei : DEANS WATTLE.

A. decurrens : EARLY BLACK WATTLE, GREEN WATTLE.

A. drummondii : DRUMMONDS WATTLE.

A. elata : CEDAR WATTLE.

A. fimbriata : FRINGED WATTLE.

A. flexifolia : BENT LEAF WATTLE.

A. floribunda : WHITE SALLOW WATTLE.

A. glaucoptera : CALY WATTLE , FLAT WATTLE.

A. gracilifolia :

A. gunnii : PLOUGHSHARE WATTLE.

A. howittii : STICKY WATTLE.

A. hubbardiana.

A. iteaphylla : FLINDERS RANGE WATTLE.

A. lanuginoisa.

A. longifolia : SYDNEY GOLDEN WATTLE, SALLOW WATTLE.

A. melanoxylon : BLACKWOOD WATTLE.

A. mucronata;

A. myrtifolia : MYRTLE WATTLE

A. paradoxa : KANGAROO THORN

A. pendula : WEEPING MYALL; BOREE

A. perangusta : BRISBANE WATTLE

A. podalyriifolia : QUEENSLAND SILVER WATTLE

A. pravissima : OVENS WATTLE

A. prominens : GOLDEN RAIN WATTLE; GOSFORD WATTLE

A. pubescens : DOWNY WATTLE

A. pycnantha : GOLDEN WATTLE

A. retinodes :

A. riceana :

A. saligna : GOLDEN WREATH WATTLE

A. sophorae : COASTAL WATTLE

A. spectabilis : MUDGEE WATTLE

A.suaveolens : SWEET SCENTED WATTLE

A. terminalis : SUNSHINE WATTLE

A. triptera : SPUR-WING WATTLE

A. uncinata : WEEPING WATTLE

A. verniciflua : VARNISH WATTLE

A. vestita : HAIRY WATTLE

Acacia ( /əˈkeɪʃə/ or /əˈkeɪsiə/) is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not. They are pod-bearing, with sap and leaves typically bearing large amounts of tannins and condensed tannins that historically in many species found use as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.

The generic name derives from ακακία (akakia), the name given by early Greek botanist-physician Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40-90) to the medicinal tree A. nilotica in his book Materia Medica.[2] This name derives from the Greek word for its characteristic thorns, ακις (akis, thorn).[3] The species name nilotica was given by Linnaeus from this tree's best-known range along the Nile river.

Acacias are also known as thorntrees, whistling thorns or wattles, including the yellow-fever acacia and umbrella acacias.

Until 2005, there were thought to be roughly 1300 species of acacia worldwide, about 960 of them native to Australia, with the remainder spread around the tropical to warm-temperate regions of both hemispheres, including Europe, Africa, southern Asia, and the Americas. However, the genus was then divided into five, with the name Acacia retained for the Australian species (and a few in tropical Asia, Madagascar and Pacific Islands), and most of the species outside Australia divided into Vachellia and Senegalia. The two final genera, Acaciella and Mariosousa, only contain about a dozen species from the Americas each.

Scientific classification 

Kingdom: Plantae  

clade: Angiosperms

clade: Eudicots  

clade: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Mimosoideae

Tribe: Acacieae

Genus: Acacia

{[http://www.botany.com/acacia.html]}

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia]}

Plant of the Day: Thuja

DESCRIPTION: These evergreen trees are found wild in North America, Korea, Japan and China. They are very pretty trees and are hardy in most parts of North America where the soil is suitable and atmospheric conditions are fairly clean. The leaves of this tree, also known as Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar, and Swamp Cedar, are scale-like and overlap each other tightly against the twig. They are yellowish-green, one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch long and ovate with a pointed or blunt tip. The branchlets spread out in fan-shaped sprays. The small cone is about ½-inch long and matures during the first fall but remains on the tree throughout the winter. The bark of the trunks is thin and ashy to light reddish-brown. It is shed in long, narrow, shredded strips. When bruised, the branches of some kinds, notably T. plicata and T. occidentalis, give off a scent that resembles a mixture of Tansy and Turpentine. The wood of these trees is used for construction, cabinet work and cooperage. It is preferred when great durability is required to endure exposure to all kinds of weather. This wood is very resistant to decay. Some Thujas form good hedge plants and screens.

VARIETIES: T. occidentalis (American Arborvitae) & var. w/ golden leaves - aurea, Douglasii aurea, lutea, lutescens, semperaurea, Vervaeneana, Buchananii, compacta, conica, fastigata, filicoides, Riversii, robusta, Rosenthalii & viridis. Dwarf var. - Boothii, dumosa, globosa, Hoveyi, nana, pumila, pygmaea, recurva nana, umbraculifera, filiformis, Ohlendorfii, pendula, Ellwangeriana, ericoides.

T. orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae) & var. aurea, semperaurescens, bonita, elegantissima, Hillieri, minima glauca, Rosedalis, flagelliformis, meldensis & stricta.

T. plicata (Giant Arborvitae) & var. atrovirens, aurea or zebrina, fastigiata, Hillieri, pendula.

T. Standishii (Japanese Arborvitae).

T. koraiensis.

Thuja ( /ˈθuːdʒə/ or /ˈθjuːdʒə/) is a genus of coniferous trees in the Cupressaceae (cypress family). There are five species in the genus, two native to North America and three native to eastern Asia. The genus is monophyletic and sister to Thujopsis.

They are commonly known as arborvitaes (from Latin for tree of life) or thujas; several species are widely known as cedar but because they are not true cedars (Cedrus) it has been recommended to call them redcedars or whitecedars.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Pinophyta

Class: Pinopsida

Order: Pinales

Family: Cupressaceae

Subfamily: Cupressoideae

Genus: Thuja

{[http://www.botany.com/thuja.html]}

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja]}

Plant of the Day: Daubenya

Daubenya is a gorgeous genus from S.Africa. Once regarded as having just one species but was revised in 2002* and now has eight species. All have two spreading leaves and white, yellow or red tubular flowers in a raceme. They are all strange and wonderful plants, beautiful beyond belief.

Most of the species are from winter rainfall areas but many are very restricted. D.aurea is found only high in the Roggerveld, where it grows with Daubenya-eating porcupines and porcupine-eating leopards.

They need fertile soil, good feeding, dry leaves, good drainage and good drainage! Most will accept some winter cold, but will not take freezing. In the wild D. aurea is used to snow. The others grow in drier habitats, with seasonal moisture.

{[http://rareplants.co.uk/prodtype.asp?CAT_ID=285&strPageHistory=category]}

Plant of the Day: Bellis perennis

Bellis perennis is a common European species of Daisy, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "Daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy or occasionally English daisy. It is native to western, central and northern Europe. The species is widely naturalised in North America, and also in South America.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Eudicots

(unranked): Asterids

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Bellis

Species: B. perennis

{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellis_perennis]}

Contact me. :)

Formspring: http://www.formspring.me/PrettyandPoison 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Pam_Lil_Ivy

Blogspot: http://prettyandpoison.blogspot.com/ 

Email: loveyoupoisonivy@gmail.com

Text Me: (651) 689-5663

I never really understood how easily a seductress could be seduced. 

It is one of my many weaknesses. 

The same thing that got me where I am now. Woodrue went sweet and I melted. I was weak. 

But now I am strong. 

Yet, for some reason, I am too easily won. 

All I have to do is wink, flip my hair and sway my hips. It's not hard. 

I'm a heart breaking killer. It's a skill and a curse.

I know a mans weak points so shouldn't I know my own?

I'm tired of those people who come up to me and say they have feeling for me and lure me in with their charm and good looks before they kill me. It's the same exact thing I do. 

You'd think after having it done to me so many times I would learn, right?

Wrong.
I'm just another girl who's heart is just as easily broken.

The seducer can be just as easily seduced. 

This life is nothing. It's a curse. 

The looks I get. 

The people who hurt me for the sake of hurting me.

The people who I have to hurt for hurting those I care about.

I guess it's not much of a curse when it comes to my children though.

Those beautiful works of art. 

Art that Mother Nature, myself, has created. 

The beauty they provide for me. My world. 

And even the people that hurt them.

This world that abuses them. 

Why do I help these plants you may ask?

Because I love them. 

Because I do what no one else does. I save them and keep them going in life.

Then when I bread enough of those plants... I cross their DNA with those of animals so they can survive in life without my help. 

It's too bad there aren't more people out there like me. 

Lord knows how many plants have been killed that I didn't know about.

How many could have been saved if there were more people like me?

I just don't understand.

How am I the strongest... yet the weakest?

How can I be making a difference for the best but still need to be serving three life sentences in Arkham?

How can I be so deadly... but not use it the the best of my advantage?

This is what makes me hesitate about my very life. 

Yes, I admit I have thought and attempted to end it all. 

But... I'm still here.

And I always will be.

People can break my heart all they want.

Treat me like shit.

But I'll still be here.

For my children.

I have to be.

Or no one else will.

Plant of the Day: Camas'sia

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of hardy, deciduous, spring-flowering bulbs, which arenative to the marshes and wet meadows of western North America. These plants are suitable for growing in meadows, woodlands, borders, among shrubs and beside water gardens. Camassias have several common names such as, Camass, Indigo Squill, Meadow Hyacinth, and Quamash. The name Camass or Quamash was given to the plants by the North American Indians who cooked boiled or roasted the bulbs for food. (However, all Camass bulbs and plants are poisonous unless cooked.) Camass bulbs produce clumps of slender green leaves, about a foot in length, and spikes of flowers in late spring. The flower stalks grow from 12 to 36 inches tall, depending upon the variety, and bear as many as 40, loosely clustered, star-shaped flowers, each about 2 inches wide. Camass bloom over a period of several weeks. C. cusickii (Cusick Camass) is found wild in Oregon. Its 2-foot-tall stalks are densely covered in pale, blue flowers. C. leichtlinii (Great Camass; Leichtlin Quamash) produces dark blue-violet flowers on stalks 2 to 3 feet tall. This species is found wild from British Columbia to northern California. C. quamash is the lowest growing and earliest flowering species having stems only 1 or 2 feet high. Its deep blue-violet flowers grow up to 2 inches across. C. scilloides (Wild Hyacinth) is native to prairies and rich grasslands from Georgia to central Texas. These bulbs vary in color from white to violet, but are usually pale lavender shades. This species is best seen when grown in clumps. The flowers have a delicate, sweet scent.

SPECIES: C. cusickii; C. leichtlinii & var. alba, semiplena, Blue Danube, Caerulea; C. quamash; C. scilloides.

Camassia is a genus of six species native to western North America, from southern British Columbia to northern California, and east to Utah, Wyoming and Montana. Historically, the genus was thought to belong to the lily family (Liliaceae), sometimes narrowed down to the families Scillaceae or Hyacinthaceae, but DNA and biochemical studies have led the APG II-group to reassign Camassia to the family Agavaceae. Common names include Camas, Quamash, Indian hyacinth, and Wild hyacinth.

Camassia species were an important food staple for Native Americans and settlers in parts of the American Old West. Many areas in the Northwest are named for the plant, including the city of Camas, Washington, Lacamas Creek in southern Washington, the Camas Prairie in northern Idaho (and its Camas Prairie Railroad), and Camas County in southern Idaho.

Camas grow in the wild in great numbers in moist meadows; they are perennial plants with basal linear leaves measuring 8 to 32 inches (20–80 cm) in length, which emerge early in the spring. They grow to a height of 12 to 50 inches (30–130 cm), with a multi-flowered stem rising above the main plant in summer. The six-petaled flowers vary in color from pale lilac or white to deep purple or blue-violet. They sometimes color whole meadows.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Monocots

Order: Asparagales

Family: Agavaceae

Genus: Camassia

Links: Botany.com/Camas'sia 

Wikipedia.com/Camas'sia 

 

OOC: What is this Blog?

So, most of you nerds out there are probably wondering who I am and what is going on with the super villianess attitude. Here's all you need to know...

Q&A 

Rules/Actual Questions/OOC

Q: What is this blog for?

A: I am playing the character Pamela Lillian Isley, or as most know here: Poison Ivy. She is a character out of the DC world and I am playing her because she is not only the very thing that got me into my Batman obsession but also a great inspiration to me. No, I do not go around killing people in the name of plants. Sheesh. Pam has always been a favorite of mine and I think it would be kind of nice to have a blog for her since I already Role-Play her on Facebook. (Link at the bottom)

Q: Who is Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy?

A: Pamelas wikipedia definition is used in the "About Me" section because I hardly have the time or space to write about her. There is too much to no and little time. All the you really NEED to know is she was once a regular woman who was seduced and experimented on by her college professor Dr. Woodrue. These experiments changed her into a half plant, half human being who now fights for all plant kind in the name of Botany. (More links at bottom)

Q: Who are YOU?

A: Oh you don't know? Let's keep it that way. 

I WILL NOT be sharing any of my OOC (Out Of Character for you clueless people out there) information unless I find it necessary. This blog is for fun and I always find that knowing the person behind the mask ruins the illusion of the mask. Get to know me. Chat with me. Maybe we'll talk. But the person behind Pamela is not a need to know. Sorry!

Q: Are there any other DC characters or non-DC character RP Bloggers out there?

A: Most likely. I have yet to meet them but it wouldn't be hard to believe. I know quite a few Poison Ivy RPers on Facebook and there's quite a few. I'm sure I'm not the first to say, "HEY! Let's BLOG as Pamela!" If I find out any more I'm sure I'll link you all. That is, if I like them.

Q:CYBUR!? WIll yoU Cybre with meh!?

A: NO. 

I have had this problem far too much with my Facebook account. Poison Ivy may be a seductress but that feature is there for the plants alone. Sure she may flirt now and then but when it comes to the actual seduction, she will kill you. Just because she acts like a whore does not mean she is one so, if you please, do not act me to suck your dick through the computer. 1) It's impossible. 2) It's disgusting and rude. 3) If there's any sex going on, it's in character and it must be fitting the story line. 

Q: so whts up?? i is tlkin lyke dis cuz i haz no ritting skillz!! 

A: ... Please. If you are talking to me, use correct spelling and grammar. I get that typin lyk dis makes things go faster but at the same time... I like talking to a person like they are a normal person. Talking to me like your fingers are seizing will not earn you points on my part. 

Q: Will you Role Play with me?

A: Of course. I am not a very talented writer but when it comes to those who send paragraphs and paragraphs of a starter, I do my best to keep up. I have very little experience with multi-para and novella RPs so if you are someone who is into that and you want to RP, expect some details about pointless things. Once and a while I run out of things to talk about. But I'm tired of writing about the fuckin' sky. 

Anyway. Point is. Yes. I will Role Play with you.

Q: *is walking quietly through the forest*

A: You cannot expect me to reply to random starters. Especially ones like this. It is true, sometimes I like to use stars (**) for explaining my actions but that is only when I feel lazy or I don't respect you enough to write normal. I will use "these to talk and this. To end my sentences. 

Also, random starters are nice and all. But you have to give me something more and if I have no idea who your character is and I can't find them on Google then you need to explain your character a bit. 

Q: What do you like in your Role-Plays?

A: I don't mind what happens as long as I am not god-modded and the starter isn't this:

"I am walking down the streets of Gotham, my foot steps making little sound. There is no wind and no one around. A psychotic smile grows across my face as I see and lovely green woman at the end of a dark alley, her hair a fiery red and her body, one of a goddess. I-"

NO! FUCK YOU! I'm tired of my hair being described by some psychotic freak who likes dark alleys! It's always the same! 

Yes. My character is from Gotham. (technically Seattle... read it up people.) But that does not mean that everyone who lives there is just down-right psycho. Come and visit me at my greenhouse if you know where that is. Or be on a vacation in the Amazon or something. But please. Dear god please for the love of everything good and holy. DO NOT describe your creepy fucking character, checking out the hair and curves of mine in a dark alley of Gotham. It's WAY too popular.

Q: Can my character go out with yours in story?

A: Yes. I am willing to date other characters but it cannot be for one quickie RP. (*Giggle-snort*) Each and every one of my RPs are going to be a part of my character. If you date her, you are dating her. She will talk about you with others if the topic comes up and if she cares about you, it will effect her mood in other RPs. So don;t get pissy with me if your character is cared about by her and she tells others that she is worried about you because you have been acting weird or some stuff like that. It all matters. And fellas (maybe ladies) you can't start dating my character and disappear of the face of the planet for days and weeks. I will end it.

Q: Can I chat with you OOC?

A: Of course. I love getting to know people. But remember, I do not reveal any information about myself. This RP thing is a game. Nothing more. 

Q: Wow. You're a bitch.

A: I will act the way Ivy acts IC and I will act the way I act OOC. It is who Pam and I are. Sure, I might put some of myself into the character but that is it. She may be a bitch to your character but that is the way I play her. And hun, you piss me off, you will know what the personification of a bitch is. Just sayin'. 

I guess that is all that needs to be shared for now. I might add a little more now and then but this is all I can think of off the top of my head. If you want, feel free to ask questions but be warned, I will post these questions up if I feel it necessary. 

Ta ta for now ladies. <3

Links: Batman Wiki: Poison Ivy (Pamela Lillian Isley)

Wikipedia: Poison Ivy (comics)

Facebook: Pamela Lillian Isley