A few ideas for the tropical display:
New World:
Melastomataceae – Tibouchina is pretty – yes, we might also manage Medinella.:-)
Theobroma cacao – good economic plant and nice example of cauliflory – we have hundreds of these but the greenhouse gets too cold in winter and they don’t thrive. π
Is there an Annona shrub that wouldn’t get too big? – I think Pan has already planted seeds! π
Vanila planifolia (orchidaceae) vanilla orchid – we used to grow this and I’m sure we could get it again. π
Eichornia crassipes (Pontderiaceae) in pond – very much on my list, along with Salvinia π
Old World Tropical:
Cyathea – yes, I’d like to get these π
Marrataceae fern – Angiopteris already on my wants list – no free source yet. π
Rubiaceae – Coffea arabica – we already have this and will lift it and replant π π
Sinningia or Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae) are pretty – yes but there are more truly tropical genera Aeschynathus comes to mind.
Pandanus (would also fit in small holding as used for textiles food and medicine) – great idea there are some smallish species
Smallholding
Musaceae – we have π
Diascorea – we have π
Manihot – Euphorbiaceae – (Cassava) – we did have but it gets very big – perhaps one for me to revisit?
Curcuma longa (zingiberaceae) tumeric – has so many medicinal, culinary, dye and ceremonial uses deffinantly a useful plant. – we have a pot of this π
Difficult places
Platycerum bifuricatum – nice epyphitic fern – yes, this and Asplenium nidus would both be good additions.
Angiopteris has arrived!
Looking back at Emma’s list I’m pleased to report we have Streptocarpus, Medinella, Manihot and Playcerium from the list as well as the others marked above.