Sunday, June 30, 2013

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood


General Information
Common Name Dogwood
Scientific Name Cornus sanguinea
Sun Tolerance Full Sun
Height  2–6 m (7–20 ft)
Spread 2-3 m (7–10 ft)
Growth Rate Moderate
Bloom Time Summer
Color Green, Red
Flower Color White
Type Shrub
Native Europe, western Asia
Classification
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Rosidae
Order Cornales
Family Cornaceae – Dogwood family
Genus Cornus L. – dogwood
Species C. sanguinea

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood
Cornus sanguinea commonly known as Dogwood or European Dogwood is native to most of Europe and western Asia. It is usually no more than a bush, but it can form a small shrubs tree. It is at home on the very dry chalk escarpment, but likely to be found infrequently on most lime-rich soils, either in isolation or as part of a hedgerow, thicket or game covert. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant.
Its slender blood-red twigs carry the even more slender winter buds. The lower bark is greenish-grey. The opposite leaves are oval, 1-2 in long, with prominent curved veins. They are among the first trees to show leaf – pale green in early March. In autumn they assume the same deep red shade as the twigs. 
The small bi-sexual white flowers, which open in June, are in cluster (a corymbs), and have an unpleasant odor. The fleshy parts of the berries are exceedingly bitter and each holds a hard seed.
Dogwood suckers freely and can build up dense thickets. Its white wood, though rarely large, is tough and smooth, and was traditionally used as skewers; the odd name arises from ‘dog’ – a sharp spike.

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood : Flowers

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood : Flowers

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood : Fruits

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood in Winter

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood : Fruits

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood in Winter

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood in Winter

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood

Cornus sanguinea – Dogwood

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree

General Information
Common Name Golden Shower Tree
Scientific Name Cassia fistula
Sun Tolerance Full Sun
Height 10 – 15 m (33 – 50 ft)
Spread  4.5 – 6 m (15 – 20 ft)
Growth Rate Fast
Bloom Time Summer
Color Green
Flower Color Yellow
Type Tree
Native South Asia and tropical and sub-tropical regions
Classification
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass Rosidae
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae – Pea family
Genus Cassia L. – cassia
Species C. fistula

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 
Cassia fistula common name is Golden Shower Tree. This is native to South Asia and in tropical and subtropical countries. This is large flowering and ornamental tree. Golden Shower tree is a full sun tolerant tree. This is an evergreen first growing plant and grows to 10 – 15 m (33 – 50 ft). The well-spaced branches are clothed with innately compound leaves, with leaflets up to eight inches long and 2.5 inches wide. In summer, Golden Shower Tree is decorated with thick clusters of showy yellow blooms which cover the slightly drooping branches. When full blooms it is looking so beautiful and flowers look like shower, so it called Golden Shower Tree. This tree produces a dark brown bean-pod 30-60 cm long filled with a sticky pulp and 40-100 hard brown seeds. 
Young trees can grow asymmetrical with branches often drooping toward the ground. Staking and proper pruning will help develop a well shaped and structured crown. 
It has great value in medicine. It is known as aragvadha, meaning "disease killer". The root is considered a purgative, and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts. The flesh of the fruit is used as a laxative, while the bark can be used to treat skin infections.


Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree : Leaves

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree : Flowers

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree : Flower

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree : Fruits

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree : Fruit

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Cassia fistula - Golden Shower Tree 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

General Information
Common Name Ponytail Palm
Scientific Name Beaucarnea recurvata
Sun Tolerance Full Sun
Height 4.5–6 m (15–20 ft)
Spread 1.8–2.5 m (6–8 ft)
Growth Rate Slow
Bloom Time Spring, Summer
Color Green
Flower Color White
Type Tree
Native Central America, Mexico
Classification
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass Liliidae
Order Liliales
Family Liliaceae – Lily family
Genus Beaucarnea Lem. – bottle-palm
Species B. recurvata


Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm
Beaucarnea Recurvata is native to eastern Mexico. It is common name is Ponytail Palm. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms. It is an evergreen slow growing to 15 – 20 feet (4.5 – 6 m) with a noticeable expanded caudex, for the purpose of storing water. The light green leaves, up to five feet long and 3/4 of an inch wide, are produced in tufts clustered at the tips of branches. The cascading nature of the leaves gives much the appearance of a pony’s tail. A full Ponytail Palm tree also looks like a big onion plant. 
Creamy yellow flowers are quite showy as they are held above the foliage in spring or summer for several weeks. The tree will occasionally flower two or even three times a year. The small creamy white flower is produced only on older trees. The drought tolerant Ponytail palm is a great palm for ornamental placing in the home or office or landscape. The Ponytail palm does not enjoy being over watered. It is also one of the easiest palm trees to take care and suitable for gardening.
Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm


Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Seeds

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Seeds

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Flowers

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm : Flowers

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

General Information
Common Name German Iris, Bearded Iris
Scientific Name Iris germanica
Sun Tolerance Full Sun
Height 1 – 1.5 m(3 – 5 ft)
Spread up to 1 m (1 – 1.5 ft)
Growth Rate Moderate
Bloom Time Summer
Color Green
Flower Color Multi-Color
Type Hurbs
Native Europe and All over the world
Classification
Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass Liliidae
Order Liliales
Family Iridaceae – Iris family
Genus Iris L. – Iris
Species I. germanica

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris
Iris germanica, commonly known as the German Iris also known as Bearded Iris. This is native to Europe but now it plants everywhere as an ornamental flowering plants. This is very beautiful flowering plants. Iris germanica is a perennial growing to 1 - 1.5 m (3 - 5ft). The roots can go up to 10 cm deep. It prefers dry or moist soil. It is full sun plant. It can grow in semi-shade. Generally it is growth moderately but growth rate affected by watering. It is a full sun plant that blooms most in summer, but planting it would be best in February-April. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. It blooms multi-colored flowers like as blue, red, yellow, white, purple, violet and more. People love it to planting Iris in their garden as flowering plants.






Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris
Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris


Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris

Iris germanica - German Iris - Bearded Iris