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PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

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38,238 plants

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Indian hog plum

Indian hog plum

Spondias pinnata

Spondias pinnata is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading crown and rough, grey-brown bark. Its pinnate leaves are composed of 5–11 glossy ovate leaflets that turn yellow before falling in the dry season. Small white or pale-yellow flowers are borne in terminal panicles in spring, followed by edible ovoid drupes that ripen to yellowish-orange. It is valued both as a fruit tree and as a fast-growing shade tree in tropical and subtropical gardens.

lamb's ear

Stachys byzantina

A carpeting, evergreen perennial, with thick, soft, oblong-elliptic leaves and stems densely white-woolly. Basal leaves are to 10cm long, in rosettes, flowering stems erect to 50cm in height. Flowers are purplish or pink, sometimes appearing striped, arranged in many-flowered whorls in an interrupted spike in summer. Several selections with varying leaf and flower colour are available. A valuable foliage plant

Wavy-ribbed cactus

Wavy-ribbed cactus

Stenocactus crispatus

Stenocactus crispatus is a slow-growing cactus with a depressed globose to short cylindrical stem, normally solitary and reaching about 10–20 cm tall and 10–20 cm across. Its grey-green stem bears numerous very thin, wavy vertical ribs, giving the plant a brain-like sculptural pattern; the short cream or pale-brown spines are flattened and interwoven. In spring it produces funnel-shaped flowers near the crown, coloured cream to white with a distinct purple-pink mid-stripe. The unusual ribbed silhouette makes it an attractive specimen for collectors, and the spring flowers add a second seasonal interest.

African violet

Streptocarpus ionanthus

An evergreen, rosette-forming, frost-tender perennial to 10cm tall. The almost round, fleshy, hairy leaves up to 8cm long are green above and often reddish-green below and have long stalks. Two to eight violet-blue, tubular flowers up to 2.5cm across are held in loose clusters above the foliage all year-round

false African violet

false African violet

Streptocarpus saxorum

S. saxorum is an evergreen perennial to 15cm in height, with trailing stems bearing small, fleshy, rounded leaves and solitary white-throated, pale mauve flowers 3cm across, in the leaf axils

Persian shield

Strobilanthes dyeriana

S. dyeriana is an evergreen shrub to 1m in height, the lance-shaped dark green leaves with a striking silvery sheen over a reddish-purple flush; flowers light blue, funnel-shaped, 3cm in length, in short terminal spikes

Stromanthe

Stromanthe thalia

Stromanthe thalia is a clump-forming evergreen perennial with striking foliage. The elongated leaves are dark green with silver-white or pale pink stripes on the upper surface and a deep burgundy underside. It typically grows 30–60 cm tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for indoor displays.

Willow-leaved Aster

Willow-leaved Aster

Symphyotrichum praealtum

A tall, upright herbaceous perennial with narrow, willow-like leaves. In late summer and autumn it bears clusters of small daisy flowers, usually pale lavender-blue to white with yellow centres. The open, airy flower heads are attractive to pollinators. Ideal for naturalistic prairie-style planting and herbaceous borders.

arrowhead vine 'Arrow'

arrowhead vine 'Arrow'

Syngonium 'Arrow'

Has cream and green variegated foliage that is arrowhead-shaped when young before maturing to form leaves with three to five lobes. As the plant ages, it starts to produce lax stems that will climb up appropriate supports

Pinwheel Flower

Pinwheel Flower

Tabernaemontana divaricata

Tabernaemontana divaricata is a bushy, evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and waxy, white, pinwheel-shaped flowers that have a delightful fragrance, especially at night. The flowers are often double or semi-double in cultivated forms, and the plant can bloom intermittently throughout the year in warm conditions. It typically grows 1-2 m tall and wide, making it an attractive specimen for indoor or greenhouse cultivation.

Java Moss

Taxiphyllum barbieri

Taxiphyllum barbieri is a delicate, evergreen aquatic moss with slender, branching stems and minute ovate-lanceolate leaves, forming soft deep-green cushions or carpets. It has no true roots or flowers, attaching to rocks, driftwood and mesh by rhizoids. Growth is creeping and mat-forming, making it ideal for aquascapes, terrariums and shrimp or fry shelters. Its main ornamental value lies in its fine texture and year-round green cover.

Pinecone Cactus

Pinecone Cactus

Tephrocactus articulatus

Tephrocactus articulatus is a slow-growing cactus with pale, grey-green stem segments that closely resemble a pinecone. The cylindrical to ovoid joints are covered in prominent diamond-shaped tubercles and armed with clusters of white glochids; the distinctive var. papyracanthus bears broad, papery white spines. Small cup-shaped flowers, usually white or pale pink, appear from the tips of mature segments in summer. Because detached stem segments root readily, old plants develop into low, open clumps that make an arresting addition to arid or cactus collections.

wild thyme

Thymus serpyllum

T. serpyllum is a dwarf, aromatic, evergreen shrub forming a low, wide mat to 5cm in height. It has tiny, pointed, dark green leaves and tight clusters of purple flowers in summer

common thyme

Thymus vulgaris

A bushy, dwarf, evergreen shrub up to 30cm tall and 40cm wide; with small, linear to ovate, aromatic, dark grey-green leaves, and terminal spikes of small, whorled, white or pink flowers in early summer. Thyme is a popular culinary herb, with various cultivars available. The flowers are favoured by bees and other pollinators

Air plant

Tillandsia spp.

Tillandsia species are epiphytic perennials with linear or lance-shaped leaves arranged in rosettes. Leaves are often covered with specialized scales (trichomes) that absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. The inflorescence emerges from the center, bearing colorful bracts and small tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, or white. Their unique, soilless growth habit and striking floral display make them popular as living art pieces in homes and greenhouses.

star jasmine 'Tricolor'

star jasmine 'Tricolor'

Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Tricolor'

A slow-growing, woody climber with twining stems, evergreen, variegated leaves which are soft pink and cream when young, mature to dark green mottled with white, and turn reddish in winter, and very fragrant white flowers in late summer

Blue milkweed

Tweedia caerulea

Tweedia caerulea is a twining, soft-stemmed perennial with downy, grey-green to dark green leaves. From summer to autumn it produces clusters of unusual star-shaped flowers in a clear blue, often with a white or purple eye. The blooms are waxy and long-lasting, making them excellent for cutting. It grows into an open, scrambling climber and is particularly attractive trained against a sunny wall or on a support in a border.

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Ulmus americana is a large deciduous tree with a broad, vase-shaped to rounded canopy. The alternate leaves are ovate to obovate, with sharply double-toothed margins and strikingly asymmetrical bases; they turn clear yellow to golden-brown in autumn. Clusters of tiny reddish-green flowers emerge on bare twigs in early spring, followed by winged samaras. The grey-brown bark becomes fissured and corky-ridged with age.

Samurai Orchid

Vanda falcata

Vanda falcata, commonly called the Samurai orchid, is a miniature epiphytic orchid with a short, fan-shaped stem and fleshy, narrow, distichous leaves. In summer it produces small, waxy white flowers with a long curved spur, often fragrant at night. It forms compact clumps and is prized by collectors for its elegant foliage and perfume. It is best grown in a basket or pot in an open epiphytic mix.

Cranberrybush Viburnum

Cranberrybush Viburnum

Viburnum trilobum

Information to be completed

Mung bean

Vigna radiata

Vigna radiata is an annual legume with erect or semi-erect stems, reaching 0.3–0.9 m in height. It has trifoliate leaves with ovate leaflets, and produces small, pale yellow flowers in clusters. The slender pods contain 10–15 small, green to yellow-green seeds. It is widely cultivated for its edible seeds, which are used fresh as bean sprouts or dried for soups and porridge.

heart's ease

Viola tricolor

A tufted annual, biennial or short-lived, evergreen perennial with spreading stems, producing flowers 2.5cm or more across, from spring to autumn. The blooms typically have dark purple upper petals, pale purple or pale yellow middle petals and a dark yellow lower petal, with dark streaks creating a whiskery 'face'. Other colours may include lavender blue and cream

weigelia

Weigela florida

A spreading, deciduous shrub to 2.5m tall and wide, with funnel-shaped reddish or rose pink flowers 3cm long, paler or white within, produced during late spring and early summer. A parent of many popular hybrids

Silver Dollar Vine

Silver Dollar Vine

Xerosicyos danguyi

Silver dollar vine is a slow-growing succulent climber with round, thick, silvery grey-green leaves borne on slender twining stems. The leaves resemble silver coins, which gives the plant its common name. Small, inconspicuous yellowish green flowers may appear in summer under warm conditions. Its compact, textural foliage and vining habit make it an attractive houseplant or conservatory specimen.