Trees Planet

Friday, September 20, 2013

Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe

General Information

Common Name	Cape Aloe
Scientific Name	Aloe ferox
Sun Tolerance	Full Sun
Height	2 – 3 m (6 - 8 ft)
Spread	1.2 – 1.8 m (4 - 6 ft
Growth Rate	Slow
Bloom Time	Winter
Color	Green
Flower Color	Red, Orange, White
Type	Cactus & Succulents
Native	Africa

Classification

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass	Liliidae
Order	Liliales
Family	Aloaceae – Aloe family
Genus	Aloe L. – aloe
Species	A. ferox

Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe

Aloe ferox commonly known as Cape Aloe. It is well known as Aloe Vera. Aloe ferox is native to southern of Africa. It is usually found in mountainous areas where it favors exposed ridges and rocky grass fields. This is an evergreen slow growing plant that grows to 2 – 3 m (6 – 8 ft). The leaves are a dull green, sometimes with a slightly blue look to them. Each leaf can be up to 1 m long. They may also have a reddish tinge. It blooms in winter. The flowers color is red, orange or white with cylindrical shape. All plant of this species is also relatively popular among gardeners and has been studied for possible medical uses. Aloe has a great medic value. For hundreds of years “Alo Jel” used for Skin care products. Aloe ferox plants are propagated mainly from seed and head cuttings, with plants sowed with approximately one meter separations. When it planted from seeds it takes about 4 to 5 years for the plants to reach the first harvest. At harvest time each leaf reached up to 1-2 Kg at weight.

Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe

Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe : Flower

Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe : Flowers

Aloe ferox - Cape Aloe

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Caulophyllum thalictroides - Blue Cohosh

General Information

Common Name	Blue Cohosh, Squaw root or Papoose root
Scientific Name	Caulophyllum thalictroides
Sun Tolerance	Shade
Height	Below 1 m (1–3 ft)
Spread	Below 1 m (1–2 ft)
Growth Rate	Moderate
Bloom Time	Spring
Color	Green
Flower Color	Gree, Yellow, White
Type	Shrub
Native	North-America

Classification

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass	Magnoliidae
Order	Ranunculales
Family	Berberidaceae – Barberry family
Genus	Caulophyllum Michx. – cohosh
Species	C. thalictroides

Caulophyllum thalictroides - Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides common name is Blue Cohosh. It is also called Squaw Root or Papoose root. It is native to eastern North-America. It is found in hardwood forest of the eastern United States, and favors moist coves and hillsides. It is generally well grown in shady locations, in rich soil. This is flowering shrubs plant. Plants may be grown from seed, but usually will not flower until the third or fourth year. It is a medium-tall perennial with blue berry-like fruits and evergreen tree. Blue Cohosh grows 1-3 feet (below 1m). It is valued not for its flowers but for its lacy, ternately-compound, blue-green foliage and its erect clusters of blue, fruit-like seeds. Leaves appear at mid-stem, emerging a smoky blue in spring and turning bluish-green at maturity. Young plants are covered with a whitish, waxy bloom. Inconspicuous, brownish-green to yellowish-green flowers. The roots of Blue Cohosh has a great medic value. It is used as a medicinal herb by American Indians. Many Native American tribes and mid-wives, would use this herb in conjunction with other herbs and fluids for abortive and contraceptive purposes.