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.

Day 86

Aechmea

Blue Tango

This is one gorgeous bromeliad.  Developed in Florida, it's name is derived from the Greek word "aichme" which means spear.  Blue Tango is a hybrid developed by Patricia Bullis of Princeton, Florida.  She filed for the patent on the plant she cultivated in 1999.  It is stunning.

Day 85

Amherstia Nobilis

Pride of Burma

Named for the Countess Amherst, wife of William Amherst who was the Governor of India from 1823-1828.   In Burma and Sri Lanka the flowers of the Amherstia nobilis are given a special place in buddhist temples.  Endemic to Burma.

Day 84

Costus Malorieanus

Step Ladder Ginger

This is a perennial ginger native to Central America.  It has large velvety leaves that spiral outward and lovely yellow and red flowers.  It is said to be one of the easiest gingers to grow.  The flowers are a treat for hummingbirds.

Day 83

Calathea Burle-Marxii

Blue Ice

Native to the tropical Americas, this plant was named after Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994).  It's a member of the Prayer Plant family because when the sun goes down it's large tropical leaves move up as if they were hands raised in prayer.  This one is sun kissed while it's leaves are hanging down in the midday sun.

Day 82

Alpinia Rugosa

Part of the evergreen shell ginger family, Alpinia rugosa has no common name.  It's easily identified by it's long ruffled leaves.  It is distributed in the tropics of Africa, Asia and the Americas.  It is an uncommon plant and difficult to find any specific information about it.

Day 81

Etlingera Corneri

Torch Ginger, Ka Lo, Rose of Siam or Awapuhi Ko'oko'o

Native to Southern Thailand and the northern region of the Malay Peninsula, it's found in low land, evergreen forests and swampy areas.  It was named in honor of Edred John Henry Corner who was the first recorded collector of the species.  

Day 80

Eucharis Amazonica

Amazon Lily

Native to Northern Peru, the amazon lily has been cultivated in many other countries such as Venezuela, Mexico, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, the Solomon Islands and the Society Islands.  It has large tropical green leaves at it's base and fragrant white flowers.  It's name is derived from the Greek word "kharisma" which means grace or charm, and in Latin it means elegant.  

Day 79

Pontederia Cordata

Purple Pickerel Rush or Pickerel Weed

This aquatic plant is found from eastern Canada south to Argentina in wetlands and on the margins of ponds and lakes.  This plant attracts dragonflies.  It's seeds are a source of food for waterfowl and can be roasted and ground into flour or added to granola or cereals.  The young leaves are eaten raw or can be boiled and served with butter.  Deer have also been known to feed on this plant.