Strelitzia nicolai

    

Strelitzia nicolai

Common names

 White Bird-of-Paradise, Giant Bird-of-Paradise

Origin

Native of Natal Province, from East London northwards to Eastern Cape, Kwa Zulu, Mozambique towards Zimbabwe, South Africa.

Ecology

Blooming time

They may bloom most times of the year depending where you live. The flowers are about 500mm long. The main plant can grow as big as 10-12m high. It will throw out many suckers over the years. The leaf is very large; they are shiny and grey-green in colour, which can grow up to 2m in length. The sepals have blue petals and consist of five purplish blue sheaths. It is recommended that a larger garden is needed. It

really comes to life in a Sub-Tropical garden or a Balinese-Thai setting, creating a lush tropical effect. The root system can be aggressive so do not put it too close to fence lines and garden paths. It is also grown in pots for household and office decoration, as the large leaves are spectacular indoors.

Culture

Strelitzia Nicolai are quite fast growers in pots or outside in the open. They will take part shade - full sun. The Nicolai is just about drought tolerant, does not like severe frost, it will take temperatures down to 8c. It tolerates salty coastal winds and salt spray up to a point. Fertilise regularly with a balanced slow release fertiliser for indoor pots. Outside fertilising requires a good well balanced fertiliser.

Humidity

 Will cope with lower humidity levels prefers medium humidity.

Category

Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Height

15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)

Sun Exposure

Sun to Partial Shade

Bloom Color

Dark Blue

Dark Purple/Black

White/Near White

Water

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

Description

A crown of banana-like leaves atop a palm tree trunk, combined with huge, uniquely beautiful flowers, is deserving of the name, "Bird of Paradise tree." Related to the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia regina ), this close cousin is a much larger plant forming huge clumps of stems to 30 feet in comparison to S. regina's 3 to 4 feet height.

The 6 - 8' leaves are grey-green and arranged in fans atop the trunks. Plants form clumps of several variably-sized trunks that may grow to 18' in width under optimal conditions. The inflorescence are composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals and bluish-purple "tongue". The entire "bird" can be as large as 7" high by 18" long and is typically held just above the point where the leaf fan emerges from the trunk. Flowers are followed by triangular seed capsules.

The foliage on this plant will typically die back in areas with a hard frost, though the plant itself can be kept alive as far as zone 8a with a good mulch. With additional protection, you may be able to grow it in the ground even further north. Any time it dies back to the ground however, the plant basically has to restart its growth - so flowering is very unlikely this way. Only mature plants typically flower, so you must pot the plant up if you live above zone 9-10.

Uses

The interesting flowers are white with a dark blue tongue. White Bird-of-Paradise is ideal for entranceways for a dramatic effect or for use at poolside. Plants are not messy but ragged leaves should be periodically removed for a tidy appearance. This is a large plant and should be situated accordingly.

Tabebuia rosea

 

   Tabebuia rosea

Synonym

Tecoma rosea Bert.

Common names

(English) : Pink trumpet tree, Pink poui, Pink tecoma, Rosy trumpet tree, Basant ran  

 (Spanish) : macuelizo

Origin

Native to continental America

Ecology

Height: 60.00 to 90.00 feet

Spread: 30.00 to 50.00 feet

Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer

Bloom Description: Purplish-pink to white with yellow throat

Sun: Full sun

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Evergreen

Fruit: Showy

Altitude: Up to 1 200 m; Mean annual rainfall: 1 250- 2 500 mm; Mean annual temperature: 22-27 deg C. Soil type: T. rosea grows well in deep rich soil.

Description

Tabebuia rosea is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree up to 25 m high. Flowers purplish-pink to nearly white, up to 8 cm long. Fruit a linear dehiscent capsule containing many winged seeds. The generic name is after the Brazilian local name for Tabebuia serratifolia.

Propagation methods

Seed is produced in moderate quantity, and natural regeneration is found in the vicinity of seed bearers; cuttings root quickly. Established mostly by direct sowing and subsequent planting out to permanent sites when about 60 cm high. It can also be propagated by branch

cuttings. Germinating capacity is maintained for a very short time.

Tree Management

T. rosea is fast growing, especially when young. Trees withstand a limited amount of pruning but not pollarding. In Sri Lanka, early growth is faster than that of any other ornamental tree used in the country, reaching a height of over 9 m in about 3 years at Colombo. Where conditions are not favourable, bark-burst has been observed. The lifespan is about 50 years.

Germplasm Management

Seed storage behaviour is intermediate; seeds tolerate desiccation to 7.1% mc (99% germination), storage temperature of 5 deg. C; viability is maintained for 30 months in hermetic air-dry storage at 10 deg. C. There are about 42 000 seeds/kg.

Uses

Products

Timber: T. rosea yields an excellent timber.

Services

Ornamental: This is one of the most common and showy of the flowering trees of the New World tropics and sub-tropics.

Pometia pinnata

  Pometia pinnata

Synonyms

Dabanus acuminatus (Hook.f.) Kuntze

Dabanus pinnatus (Forst. & Forst.) Kuntze

Euphoria pometia Poir.

Irina alnifolia Blume

Irina glabra Blume

Irina tomentosa Blume

Irina tomentosa var. alnifolia (Blume) Miq.

Irina tomentosa forma cuspidata Blume

Nephelium acuminatum Hook.f.

Nephelium pinnatum (Forst. & Forst.) Cambess.

Pometia acuminata (Hook.f.) Radlk.

Pometia alnifolia (Blume) King

Pometia coriacea Radlk.

Pometia glabra (Blume) Teijsm. & Binn.

Pometia macrocarpa Kurz

Pometia pinnata forma acuminata (Hook.f.) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma alnifolia (Blume) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma cuspidata (Blume) jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma glabra (Blume) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma macrocarpa (Kurz) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma pinnata Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma repanda Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma tomentosa (Blume) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata var. javanica Koord. & Valet.

Pometia tomentosa (Blume) Teijsm. & Binn.

Pometia tomentosa var. cuspidata (Blume) J.Britten

Common Names

English: Fijian longan, island lychee 

Spanish: longán de Fiji

Samoa: tava

Malaysia: kasai

Origin

Southeast Asia and Pacific islands.

Ecology

In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 700 m altitude. Often on alluvial sites and along or near rivers and streams, but also on hillsides. On sandy to clay soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Description

Large tree, reaching a height of 60-90 feet (18-27 m). Leaves compound, 12-36 inches (30-91 cm) long, with 4-12 pairs of leaflets. New leaves bright red. Small, bisexual, whitish flowers in terminal panicles 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) long. Fruits round to ellipsoid, with a thin peel that may be greenish to red or almost black when mature. The pulp is cream colored, juicy and sweet, and contains a single large seed.

Propagation and Culture

Propagated by seed, but superior selections could probably be propagated by grafting.

Fijian longan is a fast growing tree, and is found wild from sea level to an altitude of about 2,500 feet (762 m). Cultivated trees should be pruned regularly to facilitate fruit harvest. Fruiting occurs sporadically throughout the year, with the greatest production in December and January in the Northern Hemisphere.

Uses

The wood is used for construction, furniture,

flooring, etc. The wood is also used to produce charcoal. The bark and leaves are used to treat fever and sores. The leaves are used against rice-pests. The fruits are edible.

Plumeria rubra

Plumeria rubra

Synonyms

Plumeria acuminata

Plumeria acutifolia

Common name

 Melia

Pua melia

Templetree

Graveyard flower

Temple flower

Fragipani

Origin

Native to continental tropical America

Ecology

Height: 15.00 to 25.00 feet

Spread: 15.00 to 25.00 feet

Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer

Bloom Description: Pink to red

Sun: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium

Tolerate: Drought

Description

Plumeria rubra is a tree that grows in a “candelabrum” shape typical of Plumerias with a single trunk and multiple branches of a similar length that support an open spreading canopy.

This species grows from 0.9-5 meters tall.

Plumeria trees are partially deciduous therefore lose all of their leaves during long, dry periods. The leaves of Plumeria rubra are 10-42 cm long and 4-14 cm wide with the widest point at the center or tip of the leaf blade. In this species the tip of the leaves narrow to a sharp point in contrast to leaves of the other common species, Plumeria obtusa, which has more rounded leaf tips.

In Hawai`i, Plumeria rubra produces flowers before the leaves emerge at the beginning of summer and has a flowering peak from April through to September. The original trees introduced to Hawai`i had white flowers with yellow centers, however subsequently trees with red flowers have also been introduced. Breeding programs have crossed trees with different colored flowers to produce a wide range of color varieties of this species: red, pink, or white flowers can be seen with flowers frequently either a single color or with a yellow or pink splash of color in the center. The flowers produce nectar which has a strong lemon scent. The fruit of this species is a dry follicle which splits along one side to release many winged seeds.

Uses

A popular ornamental, particularly in tropical climates---often planted as a street tree. Plumeria is also a popular plant for container culture in colder areas.

Bauhinia monandra

Bauhinia monandra

Synonyms

Bauhinia persiehii F.Muell

Common name

Bauhinia, Pink; Butterfly Flower; Pink Bauhinia

Origin

Native to Madagascar. In the past the origin of this species was unknown, and it has erroneously been described as originating from south-eastern Asia (e.g. Myanmar) and tropical South America.

Ecology

Altitudinal range probably small, from near sea level to 100 m. Grows in disturbed areas particularly in gallery forest.

Habitat

A weed of drier sites with relatively poor soils and has also been observed to grow on river levees and in dense riparian vegetation (i.e. along waterways).

Description

Habit

A small tree (growing up to 7.5 m tall) which loses its leaves during the dry season (i.e. it is deciduous).

Stems and Leaves

The older stems are covered with a smooth grey coloured bark. These stems are also covered with numerous small darker spots (i.e. lenticels). Younger stems are almost hairless (i.e. glabrescent) or have some rusty coloured hairs (i.e. rusty pubescent).

The simple leaves (7-20 cm long and 7-20 cm wide) are alternately arranged along the stems and borne on stalks (i.e. petioles) 4-6 cm long. They have somewhat heart-shaped (i.e. sub-cordate) bases and are split

at the tips into two lobes, with the split usually being quite shallow (sometimes almost halfway to base). They are also folded along the central vein (i.e. midrib) and therefore appear similar to a pair of butterfly wings. These leaves have hairless (i.e. glabrous) upper surfaces, but their are usually some hairs present along the veins on the their undersides.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are borne in small clusters in the leaf forks (i.e. in short axillary racemes) and individual flowers have very short stalks (i.e. pedicels) only 2-5-4 mm long. These flowers have five large, spreading, petals (each about 40-55 mm long and 20-30 mm wide) and a single large curved stamen (there are usually also five tiny rudimentary stamen-like structures present, about 3 mm long, which are called staminodes). The sepals (15-22 mm long) are fused into a green tube (i.e. calyx tube) that is hairy (i.e. pubescent) and splits open on one side when the flower opens. Four of the petals are similar while the other petal is different (i.e. the petals are dimorphic). The four similar lower petals are pale pink or whitish, mottled with numerous tiny darker reddish-pink or purple spots, and are wider nearer their tips (i.e. obovate). The single upper petal is often somewhat yellowish in colour, with more prominent reddish coloured markings, and is usually wider nearer its base (i.e. ovate). Flowering occurs during late spring and summer (i.e. from October to January).

The fruit is a large, elongated, and flattened pod (15-22 cm long and 2-3 cm wide) containing about 10-20 seeds. These fruit are somewhat leathery in nature and pale brown to dark brown in colour. The seeds (about 10 mm long long) are flattened (i.e. compressed), egg-shaped in outline (i.e. ovate), and either dull brown or black in colour. Fruit are present from summer through to spring (i.e. from January to October).

Reproduction and Dispersal

This species reproduces by seed. Its seeds are spread when they are ingested and expelled by birds and other animals. They are also dispersed by water, particularly from ornamental plantings located near waterways, and in dumped garden waste.

Distinguishing Features

A small tree that usually loses its leaves during the dry season.

it’s simple leaves have two lobes and are folded in the centre (i.e. they resemble a pair of butterfly wings).

Its showy flowers have five pinkish petals mottled with darker reddish-purple, one of which is more colourful than the others.

Its fruit is a large, elongated, pod (15-22 cm long).

Uses

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Melaleuca bracteata

Melaleuca bracteata

Synonyms

 Melaleuca genistifolia

 Melaleuca monticola

Common name

Golden Bottle Brush, River Tea Tree, Black Tea tree, Prickly Leaved Tea Tree

Origin

Australia

Ecology

Altitudinal range in northern Australia from 300-750 m. Usually grows in swampy or soakage situations in areas which are otherwise predominantly open forest but also found on the edge of gallery forest, vine thickets and monsoon forest.

Plant type: evergreen shrub

Hardiness zones: 9-11

Sunlight: hot overhead sun

Soil Moisture: dry for extended periods to constantly moist

Soil: ordinary soil, enriched soil, mildly acidic to mildly alkaline

Tolerances: high wind, second line salt wind, light frost

Description

Shrub or small tree to 15m with hard, fissured bark, fine narrow leaves and white or cream flowers in cylindrical spikes in summer. Widespread, along watercourses or on heavier inland soils in depressions; north from the Macleay River, NSW.

Hardy in light to heavy moist or dry soils. Popular shade or shelter plant even in wet locations.

Leaves alternate, narrow-ovate to ovate (egg-shaped), 10-28 mm long, 1.5-3 mm wide, 5-11-veined, apex acute to acuminate, glabrous (hairless) or occasionally pubescent; sessile (attached without petiole).

Inflorescences (flowering parts) few- to many-flowered spikes 1.5-3.5 cm long; rachis pubescent (the stem of the spike is hairy).

White flowers solitary or in threes within each bract. Petals nore or less circular, 1.5-2 mm long.

Fruit sub- (or nearly) globose, 2-3 mm in diameter, orifice around 2 mm in diameter, with sepals persistent. A sepal is one of the component parts of the calyx, when this consists of separate (not fused) parts. The calyx is a collective term for the sepals of a flower, i.e. the outermost whorl of flower parts, when this is not the same in appearance as the next such whorl (the corolla).

While this plant is native to the Enoggera catchment this specimen at the junction of Fish and Enoggera Creeks may have self sown from seed from nearby gardens.

Uses

A useful small tree cultivated widely for its compact shape, numerous small, cream coloured 'bottle brush' flowers and its ability to grow in a variety of conditions.

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is germicidal and is used in insecticides to increase their potency.  

Brownea coccinea

Brownea coccinea

Synonyms

 Brownea capitella, Brownea latifolia

Common name

 Brownea, Scarlet Flame Bean

Origin

South America

Ecology

In open forests on sandy, well drained soils.

Description

Near Garden’s South or Roseau gate; reported in that location in the 1924 Official Guide; beautiful, slow-growing, short, spreading trees, 6-9 m tall (20-30 ft); leaves pinnately compound, leaflets up to 15 cm long (6 in) and up to 6 cm wide (2.3 in), up to 6 pairs, with sometimes one terminal leaflet, pink-brown and pendulous when young; flowers borne in large, bright, orange-red clusters, hanging mostly beneath

foliage primarily on older branches, which distinguishes it from other Browneas; fruit a woody pod about 15 cm long (6 in) and 5 cm broad (2 in)

Stipules present, leaf-like, dropped. Leaves alternate, paripinnate (even) compound, leaflets with gland at the base of midrib beneath. Young leaves in pendent, linear, stipular or bracteate sheath buds up to 20 cm long. Inflorescences short, compact, nodding, densely red flowered.

Uses

Grown as an ornamental.

Ficus macrophylla

Ficus macrophylla

Synonym

Ficus macrocarpa

Common Names

Moreton Bay Fig

Australian Banyan

Fig Wood

Waabie

Karrevaira

Peemith

Origin

Native to tropical Queensland and northern New South Wales in Australia.

Ecology

It is a drought tolerant banyan that is hardier to cold than most banyans and can withstand temperatures 28 F (-7 C) or above, though younger trees are more susceptible to cold. Trees grown in the continental United States do not grow as large as trees in their native habitat.

Habit: Erect or Spreading and requires ample growing space.

Has Evergreen foliage.

Shape: Rounded or Umbrella

Sunset Zones: 17 and 19 - 24

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11

Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Water Needs: Moist Soil

Soil Type: Clay, Loam or Sand

Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Highly Alkaline

Seaside Tolerance: Good in South Coast

Height: 75 - 180 feet

Canopy Width: 70 - 130 feet

Growth Rate: 36 Inches per Season

Longevity: Greater than 150 years

Leaves: Oval Glossy Medium Green. Evergreen.

Flowers: Inconspicuous. Flowers in Summer. Has separate male and female flowers on the same tree (monoecious).

Fruit: Prolific, Purple or Yellow Follicle, Medium (0.50 - 1.50 inches), fruiting in Fall. Edible.

Pest & Disease: Susceptible to Scales

Shading Capacity: Rated as Moderately Dense in Leaf

Branch Strength: Rated as Medium Weak

Litter Issue: Wet Fruit and Leaves

Root Damage Potential: Rated as High

Health Hazard: Irritant

Biogenic Emissions: High

Fire Resistance: Favorable

Description

Ficus macrophylla is a medium to large, spreading tree 15 to 35 metres high with a similar spread. It often has a butressed trunk. In nature it is a strangler fig - the seed germinates in the canopy of a host tree where the plant grows as an epiphyte while sending down roots to ground level, eventually enlarging and enveloping the host tree and becoming free standing. The large leaves are oval-shaped to elliptical 100-250 mm long, dark glossy green above and rusty beneath. The fruits are 20-25 mm in diameter, yellowish and turning purple when ripe. They occur on stalks from 10-20 mm long.

Moreton Bay fig makes an excellent, bushy plant for a large container but it should not be planted in the ground in a normal suburban environment. In the ground it develops into a tree with a vigorous root system - it is far too large for a suburban garden and can damage pavements and house foundations. It is an excellent shade tree for parks and larger properties and is widely used as a feature tree in parks and gardens around the world. It is adaptable to a range of soils and appreciates adequate moisture.

Propagation is usually from seed which germinates well without any pretreatment. Cuttings may also strike successfully.

Uses

Australian Aborigines found a myriad of uses for the Moreton Bay Fig Tree (Ficus macrophylla) long before European settlement. The most obvious use is the year-round fruit, the figs, which continually drop to the ground and fill the air with a distinctive fermenting aroma. They were eaten when ripe and soft, or made into a paste. Although not as palatable as the figs we are used to buying they are edible and do contain some potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Next, the inner bark or roots were used to make a sturdy cloth and cord for bags as well as woven fishing nets. Also the branches as well as the bark were used to make waterproof dug-out canoes. Lastly, the milky sap, which exudes when the tree is cut was prepared as a medicine to treat infections and to dress small wounds. Paradoxically, it is found to be an irritant if it comes in direct contact with the skin.

Management Recommendation

With the pollinator wasp present in Hawaii, Ficus macrophylla currently is spreading and will likely continue to do so.

The distribution on Maui is currently not as widespread as other non-native Ficus species, such as Ficus microcarpa and Ficus platypoda. Control work should be done in areas with limited distribution of Ficus macrophylla trees and in areas where Ficus macrophylla could cause most severe harm, such as in watersheds and protected areas. Control methods will need to be investigated to figure out how to deal with epiphytic growth on native trees in steep and wet terrain. New locations of Ficus macrophylla should be monitored so that control work can be done before the situation gets beyond management. Ficus wasps should be prohibited from entry to Hawaii to prevent other Ficus trees from spreading beyond initial plantings and potentially causing harm to Hawaiiis native ecosystems.