Category Archives: Asia

Camellia sinensis: A Blood Boiling and Tea Stained History

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Chris Reilly

Family, Genus and Species Limits Commonly known in the West as ‘Tea’, Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze is an evergreen shrub assigned to the family Theaceae. The most recent circumscription of this family includes 3 sub-families: Theeae, Gordonieae and Stewartieae, … Continue reading →

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Pandanus amaryllifolius – The only Pandanus with fragrant leaves

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Liew, P.S

P. amaryllifolius is one of the plants that is capable of evoking nostalgic memories of South-East Asian life solely by its scent. Pandanaceae is a paleotropical monocot family that comprises 4 genera (ie. Pandanus, Freycinetia, Martellidendron and Sararanga). Pandanus is … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Crops, Palaeotropics, Students | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ipomoea batatas – Sweet Potato or When is a potato not a potato?

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Irene Lucas

Many of you will be familiar with the knobbly, red-skinned, orange-fleshed, vegetable known as sweet potato but you might be surprised to learn that it is more closely related to the parasitic thread-like dodders than it is to our familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Americas, Asia, Australia, Crops, Species, Students | 2 Comments

Musa acuminata – Dwarf Cavendish Banana

Posted on September 5, 2012 by bassmansam

It wouldn’t be a tropical plant display without a banana plant showing those huge luxuriant leaves.  Dwarf Cavendish bananas are low growing which makes them wind resistant when grown outside and means they fit under a greenhouse roof when grown … Continue reading →

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Curcuma longa – Turmeric

Posted on September 4, 2012 by bassmansam

Turmeric is well known as a food additive that gives a yellow colour as well as a spicy flavour to curries.  It is a member of the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae).

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Colocasia esculenta – Taro

Posted on September 4, 2012 by bassmansam

Taro is a starch crop with stem tubers that forms impressive ‘elephant ear’ leaves.  It is readily recognisable as a member of the Araceae based on growth form and leaf venation.

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Ficus pumila – Creeping fig

Posted on September 1, 2012 by bassmansam

The creeping fig, Ficus pumila, is a commonly grown houseplant but has no tolerance of drying out of the soil.  If given space and time it will not only creep, but climb, and this is when the true nature of … Continue reading →

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Saccharum officinarum – Sugar Cane

Posted on September 1, 2012 by bassmansam

Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) originates in New Guinea but the genus Saccharum has a wider origin including areas of South and Southeast Asia and much cultivated sugar cane is of hybrid origin.  Saccharum officinarum is a grass species in the tribe … Continue reading →

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Asplenium nidus – Bird’s nest fern

Posted on August 25, 2012 by bassmansam

Of the Aspleniaceae family, from Australia and Asia, this fern grows to a large size! Up to 2m in diameter, and occurs commonly as an epiphyte on large trees.  It is sometimes called a litter basket fern because it’s cone … Continue reading →

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Averrhoa carambola – Starfruit

Posted on August 23, 2012 by bassmansam

Carambola or starfruit is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola in the Oxalidaceae. It is a popular food, originating from South-east asia and the South pacific. The fruit are ridged with five edges so that when cut the cross section resembles … Continue reading →

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