Palmyra Palm - Borassus flabellifer

General Information Common Name  Palmyra Palm Scientific Name  Borassus flabellifer Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  up to 30 m (up to 100 ft) Spread  up to 3 m (up to 10 ft) Growth Rate  Medium Bloom Time  Spring Color  Green, Flower Color  Yellow Type  Tree Native  Asia, Aftica.

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Liliopsida - Monocotyledons Subclass  Arecidae Order  Arecales Family  Arecaceae Bercht. & J. Presl - Palm family Genus  Borassus L.  Species  B. flabellifer

Palmyra Palm - Borassus flabellifer

Borassus flabellifer, commonly known as the Palmyra palm or Toddy palm, is a species of palm tree found in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and certain parts of Africa. This tree is known for its versatile uses and has been an integral part of the cultural and economic fabric of the regions where it grows.

The Palmyra palm is a tall, unbranched tree that can grow up to 30 meters in height. Its leaves are fan-shaped and can be up to 3 meters in length. The tree is dioecious, which means that there are separate male and female trees. The flowers of the Palmyra palm are small and inconspicuous and are borne on a large inflorescence.

One of the most notable uses of the Palmyra palm is its sap, which is harvested to make toddy, a popular drink in Southeast Asia and South Asia. The sap is collected by climbing the tree and tapping the inflorescence with a sharp knife. The sap flows down the inflorescence and is collected in a pot placed at the base of the tree. The sap is then fermented to make toddy, which can be consumed fresh or distilled to make palm wine or arrack, a type of liquor.

Apart from its sap, the Palmyra palm has a range of other uses. The fruit of the tree is edible and is used to make a range of dishes, including sweets, chutneys, and curries. The seeds of the Palmyra palm are also edible and are used in a variety of dishes. The leaves of the tree are used to make thatch for roofing, baskets, mats, and hats. The wood of the Palmyra palm is used to make furniture, boats, and other items.

The Palmyra palm has a long history of use in Southeast Asia and South Asia. In India, the tree is considered a sacred plant and is often planted near temples and other places of worship. In Sri Lanka, the Palmyra palm is a symbol of national identity and is featured on the country's flag. The tree has also been the subject of numerous poems and songs in the region.

Despite its many uses, the Palmyra palm is under threat due to deforestation, climate change, and other factors. Efforts are being made to conserve the tree and its habitat, including through the establishment of protected areas and the promotion of sustainable harvesting practices.

In conclusion, the Palmyra palm is a remarkable tree that has been an integral part of the cultural and economic fabric of Southeast Asia, South Asia, and certain parts of Africa. Its versatile uses, including its sap, fruit, seeds, leaves, and wood, have made it a valuable resource for local communities for centuries. However, the tree is now facing significant threats, and it is essential to take steps to conserve it and its habitat for future generations. 

 

 

 

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

General Information Common Name  Tree Fuchsia Scientific Name  Fuchsia excorticata Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  up to 15 m (up to 50 ft) Spread  3 - 5 m (10 - 16 ft) Growth Rate  Medium Bloom Time  Winter Color  Green, Flower Color  Violet, Pink  Type  Tree Native New Zealand

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision  Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons Subclass  Rosidae Order  Myrtales Family  Onagraceae - Evening Primrose Family Genus Fuchsia L. – Fuchsia Species  F. excofticata

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata, commonly known as Tree Fuchsia also known as New Zealand Fuchsia is native to New Zealand. It is commonly found throughout New Zealand and as far south as the Auckland Islands.

F. excorticata is the largest member of the genus Fuchsia. It is growing up to 15 m (50 ft) in height and trunk diameter up to 1 m (3.3 ft). It is distinguishable by an unusually light brown or orange bark, which is highly thin and paper like, peeling in strips. It is unusual among New Zealand trees being deciduous in the southern part of its range, losing its leaves in winter in all but the warmest areas.

The leaves of this species include slim petioles, the join being nearly 1 – 4 cm (0.4 – 1.8 in) long. The leaves tend to be approximately 10 mm and ranging from 1.5 – 3 (0.5 – 1.4 in) wind, tend to form an oblong shape with a rounded base. Leaves have a smooth epidermis with the anomaly on the margin and veins. Its margin is serrated with small teeth, color of above generally being dark green and the bellow being paler and more silver.

The attractive, small flowers appear between August and December. They gradually change from greenish-yellow to purple-red. Flowers are solitary and pendulous with an average of 3-4 petals that extend to a point. The flower base generally redder in color before extending into rich petals. The Petals of the flowers are 2 – 5 mm long. The flowers are rich in nectar and are visited by honey-eating birds, especially tui, bellbirds and silvereyes.

The berries range to nearly 10 mm long, ellipsoid-oblong shaped, color is dark purple to almost black. The berry is sweet, juicy and delicious to eat.  It is one of the possum’s preferred food sources. Maori named the berry Konini and on the West Coast of the South Island the plant is known by this name. It makes a sweet tasty jam.  It was also eaten by European settlers in jams and puddings. It also plant as ornamental flowering plant.

Video About Fuchsia excorticata

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Leaves of Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata Leaves

Tree Fuchsia Leaves

Flowers of Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata Flowers

Tree Fuchsia Flowers

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fruits of Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata Fruits

Tree Fuchsia Fruits

Bark of Tree Fuchsia

Logs of Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata Logs

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut

General Information Common Name  Sweet Chestnut, Spanish Chestnut Scientific Name  Castanea sativa Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  20–35 m (65–100 ft) Spread  12–18 m (40–60 ft) Growth Rate  Medium Bloom Time  Summer Color  Green Flower Color  White Type  Tree Native  Europe

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision  Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass  Hamamelididae Order  Fagales Family  Fagaceae – Beech family Genus  Castanea Mill. – chestnut Species  C. sativa

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut

Castanea sativa commonly known as Sweet Chestnut also known as Spanish Chestnut is native to the Mediterranean region. People like it as a source of nuts for food. It was abundant in the Forest of Dean by the eleventh century. As a stately tree it reaches some 30 m (100 feet) in height.

The twigs are smooth or slightly downy, angular (five-sided), bear prominent lenticels and are shiny olive-green to purplish-brown. The roundish winter buds are set alternately on little edges and yellowish-green to brown. The leaves are bronze to khaki when opening and long (often up to 9 in) with sharply toothed margins and veins which continue as bristles beyond the teeth. 

Both male and female flowers lie on a slender yellow spike (that resembles a pipe-cleaner), the females being at its base, they open in July. The edible fruit (‘chestnut’) ripens during October in a green husk (cupule) which is clad in a mass of green sharp spikes. The brown nuts are usually in threes and sometimes infertile.

In young trees the bark is smooth and grayish-green, but with age it becomes grayish-grown and deeply fissured, the fissures at the base of the trunk often forming to several feet. Some trees carry burrs which are found high up the bole. The wood has the strength and durability of oak, with thinner sapwood, but whereas oak has conspicuous radiating (medullary) rays, those of chestnut are very fine and virtually invisible. It is apt to be ‘shaky’ (having radial or circular cracks), or to have spiral grain, but it has the important property of being easily split (cleft). It finds a ready sale for chestnut fencing, hop poles, posts and stakes. When large the wood is often a substitute for oak in furniture and in buildings. 

Chestnut is frequently grown as a coppice crop. It thrives on warm, sandy soils, but is unhappy on most calcareous formations. The tree requires a mild climate and adequate moisture for good growth and a good nut harvest. Its year-growth (but not the rest of the tree) is sensitive to late spring and early autumn frosts, and is intolerant of lime. Under forest conditions, it will tolerate moderate shade well. The use as food and an ornamental tree caused it to be introduced throughout western Europe; localised populations and cultivation also occur on other continents.

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Full Bloom

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Flowers

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Leaves

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Nuts

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Nut

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Log

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Nuts

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Nuts

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Full Bloom

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut

Castanea sativa - Sweet Chestnut - Spanish Chestnut : Flowers