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Category Archives: Crops
Leucaena leucocephala – White lead tree
Leucaena leucocephala is widely grown as an agroforestry species in tropical regions. In the 1970s and 1980s the tree was very widely planted as a forage tree legume and seen as a solution to many tropical agriculture problems as it … Continue reading
Posted in Americas, Crops, Species
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Maranta arundinacea – Arrowroot
Arrowroot is a member of the Marantaceae commonly known for the ‘Prayer Plants’ which are grown for their decorative leaves. In contrast M. arundinacea is grown very much for its starchy rhizomes, although there is a cultivar with variegated leaves.
Posted in Americas, Crops, Species
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Musa acuminata – Dwarf Cavendish Banana
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
Curcuma longa – Turmeric
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).
Posted in Asia, Crops, Species
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Colocasia esculenta – Taro
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.
Posted in Asia, Crops, Species
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Persea americana – Avocado
The Avocado is native to Mexico but cultivation has spread to many countries around the world. This large tree is a member of the Lauraceae.
Piper apiculatum
I’m somewhat mystified as to why we have been growing Piper apiculatum and there is very little published on it. However the discovery of a chromosome count for the species by Rosabelle Samuel in Kew Bulletin citing her address as … Continue reading
Posted in Americas, Crops, Species
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Coffea arabica – Coffee
Our coffee plant is one of the few individuals we did not uproot and move during the greenhouse renovation. The plant happened to be in just the right place.
Posted in Africa, Crops, Species
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Saccharum officinarum – Sugar Cane
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
Canna indica – Indian shot
This is one of the two species of Canna in the display. Despite being called Indian shot this species originates from the South Americas and Caribbean. It’s name comes from the resemblance that it’s small hard seeds have to shotgun … Continue reading
Posted in Crops, Neotropics, Species
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