Day 100! I finally made it!

Tacca Chantrieri

Bat Flower - Devil Flower - Voodoo Flower - Cat's Whiskers

I've been saving this one for last.  The bat flower is native to parts of southern Asia.  It has large deep purple to black bracts that resemble the shape of bat wings.  The whiskers that hang down are 8-10 inches long and called bracteoles.  If you are fortunate enough to get your hands on one, they seem to do better as potted plants, and from what I've read you should not mist them.  Rather, you should keep it in a basin of water and do not let it go dry.

  

Day 99

Hamelia Patens

Firebush

The Firebush is native to Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America.  It is also commonly known as the hummingbird bush, as it is a huge attraction to hummingbirds as well as butterflies.  The Firebush produces small berries which turn from red to black that are edible.  It is used in herbal medicine to treat a range of ailments from athlete's foot to headaches and even asthma. It is a must have for any butterfly garden.

Day 98

Delonix Regia

Royal Poinciana - Flamboyant - Flame Tree

This is another one worth waiting for.  The flamboyant is in bloom all up and down the Keys right now, and they're putting on quite a show.  It is endemic to Madagascar's dry deciduous forests, but has been cultivated in tropical regions throughout the world.  It is the national flower of St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the official tree of Vietnam, Taiwan, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China; and Shantou, Canton Province, People's Republic of China.  Just one glimpse of this tree in bloom explains why it is so beloved everywhere it is grown.

Day 97

Hylocereus Undatus

Honolulu Queen or Night Blooming Cereus

Last night about 9:30 we were driving home and I had Scott slow down so I could see if a neighbor's night blooming cactus flowers had opened up yet.  Hers were still closed, but when we turned the corner this is what we saw.  Two giant flowers opened up larger then my hand on the side of the road. I got the flower I've been waiting for.  We used to have a similar night blooming hedge cactus in our back yard that grew as tall as our 2 story home, but Hurricane Katrina took it out.  The origin of this species is unknown but can be found in tropical regions around the world.

Day 96

Alsobia 'Cygnet'

Lace Flower

This is a hanging basket plant with long vines that drape down over the sides.  It's flowers have frilled edges and the petals have deep purple tiny spots.  It's leaves are about 2" long, soft and fuzzy like those found on violets.  This plant is a hybrid and I can't seem to find any details on it's development. I've had this plant for 3 years now and bought it for my son's science project on how night blooming flowers attract moths.  Although it's not night blooming, it's white petals and dark spots serve as landing strips for the moths to easily navigate.  Also, it's pretty hardy if it's still alive in my yard :)

Day 95

Megaskepasma Erythrochlamys

Red Cloak

Native to Venezuela, the red cloak is an evergreen shrub that grows 6-8' tall.  However, it can reach heights of up to 15' in it's native habitat.  It displays a white bloom with rich red bracts seasonally.  

Day 94

Congea Tomentosa

Shower of Orchids or Wooly Congea

Native to Myanmar and Thailand, the shower of orchids is actually no relation to the orchid family.

It is a large tropical evergreen vine.  It's long stems of tiny flowers are popular in flower arrangements.  The shower of orchids is most spectacular in it's natural state in full bloom.  

Day 93

Justicia Spicigera

Mexican Honeysuckle or Firecracker Plant

Native to Mexico and South America, when in bloom this shrub is a magnet for hummingbirds.  Used by the Teenak and Mayan people for treatment of diabetes, infections and as a stimulant.  Studies have shown that it has glucose lowering effects in diabetic rats.

Day 92

Strelitzia Nicolai

Giant White Bird of Paradise

If you're visiting the Keys, stop by the Hurricane Monument in Islamorada.  Behind the monument is this beautiful Bird of Paradise.  It is native to South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe.  It was discovered that this plant actually contains bilirubin pigment that is usually found in animals.  It was named for Queen Charlotte who was from the house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and also for Grand duke Nikolai Niolaievich, son of Czar Nicholas I.

Day 91

Strongylodon Macrobotrys

Jade Vine

At first sight this plant did not look real.  The color of it's clusters of hanging flowers reminds me of the food coloring people use to change the color of cut flowers.  Below is the description provided by Fairchild Botanical Garden for the Jade vine.

The jade vine is a spectacular climbing plant that winds its way through the forest canopy to reach the sunlight.  At night, bats hang upside down from the stalks of the jade vine's aquamarine blossoms to drink the pools of sweet nectar produced by each flower.

Unfortunately, the jade vine is threatened in its native habitat of the tropical rain forests of the Philippines.  Extensive deforestation has destroyed over 90% of the country's original rainforest.  But there is a small glimmer of hope as the remaining forest fragments still support an extraordinary wealth of plant and animal life, making the Philippines a top priority for global conservation.

Day 90

Nymphea

Queen of Siam, Water Lily

It's name was inspired by the the nymphs of Greek mythology.  These elegant aquatic plants float gracefully in ponds around the world. It's crisp reflection in the still water of the pond adds to it's beauty.  Many parts of the water lily are edible and a great food source for a wide range of animals.  Native Americans have been known to use parts of the water lily for medicinal purposes to help with ailments like digestive problems or as a poultice for sores or tumors.

Day 89

Crassulaceae

Hens and Chicks

Native to Europe and northern Africa this is a beautiful group of succulent plants where the "hen" is the main plant and the "chicks" sprout off of the main plant.  They start their own roots and stay close to the mother plant.  It is part of the "stonecrop family" and these look like they were carved out of stone.

Day 88

Euphorbia Viguieri

I could not find a common name for this cactus.  It is native to Madagascar and a rare specimen to find anywhere else.  I did read that every part of the plant is considered toxic according to the Dave's Garden website.  Dominic was really attached to this one :)

Day 87

Pseudobombax Ellipticum

Shaving Brush Tree

Native from Mexico to Guatemala it's common name clearly comes from it's whimsical spray of flowers that look like pink shaving brushes.  The tree is used for firewood as well as carving wood for crafts sold throughout Mexico and Central America.  

This one is definitely a show stopper.