Category Archives: Species

Mimosa pudica: U Can’t Touch This!

Mimosas all round? No, definitely not the alcoholic beverage! The mimosa I’m talking about is Mimosa pudica L. [Fabaceae], a creeping herb that’s continuing to fascinate the world – both botanists and non-botanists alike! Mix one part of thoroughly chilled … Continue reading

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Utricularia gibba L. – la femme fatale

A beautiful and innocent flower above the water surface, a killer underneath… thin and delicate as a hairy root Utricularia gibba is hidden awaiting its next victim…

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The flowering tree nymph in the greenhouse

There’s a special orchid in flower right now in the tropical greenhouse. Its name is Dryadella pusiola, and it’s special because its flowers are very, very small. Small enough to be dwarfed by a 5p! This orchid is the first … Continue reading

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Rhipping yarns about Rhipsalis baccifera

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Aframomum melegueta (Grains of paradise) is not Alligator pepper

This gallery contains 4 photos.

A lot has been written about Aframomum melegueta and it has been said to be the scientific name for both Alligator pepper and Grains of Paradise.  However, the two are completely different species of Aframomum. Let’s know a little about A. … Continue reading

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Asplenium nidus

Asplenium nidus : The bird’s nest fern      Commonly known as a bird’s nest fern,  Asplenium nidus has many names. For instance, in Malaysia it is called: Rumah Langsuyar, in the Philippines: Pakpak-lauin and in China: Tai wan shan su hua. There are also many … Continue reading

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Multi-tasking in the plant kingdom (Araceae)…

Species in the Spathiphyllum genus are members of the monocotyledonous flowering plant family Araceae, often called the arum or aroid family. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas, and southeastern Asia, most commonly in lowland forests where they … Continue reading

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Edible Araceae

Now that winter is on our doorstep, some of us like to think of warmer places. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend December in a tropical country? I like to imagine what a traditional Christmas meal could be in a … Continue reading

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Oryza sativa: A Résumé of Rice

Few plant species can have been better studied than rice. There is a wealth of information out there; I’ve picked a few interesting and enlightening extracts- a résumé of rice if you like.

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Colocasia esculenta

Taro: The Oldest Food Crop on Earth with a 10,000 Year Culinary History Colocasia esculenta, also known as Taro or Dasheen as well as many other vernacular names, is an important food crop, widely cultivated in a zone spanning across … Continue reading

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