Right now we’re on the street with Colleen. We’ve visited her house backyard earlier than, however right this moment she’s taking us alongside on a tropical trip.
I escaped my traditional New York winter for a visit to South Florida and a few superb climate this month. I can’t assist however assume that I’ll go house and think about my potted tropicals as barely pathetic.
Iconic South Florida palms on the seaside
I consider this can be a lookup on the dramatic leaves of the traveler’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis), which isn’t a real palm in any respect however has a considerably related look. It’s known as traveler’s palm as a result of, apparently, the leaf bases catch rainwater, and so it may be used as an emergency water provide for thirsty vacationers.
The blooms of a parrot heliconia (Heliconia psittacorum), one of many many tropical ginger kin grown for his or her showy flowers and bracts, are sensible.
Spathoglottis plicata is an orchid with showy flowers and dramatic pleated leaves. In contrast to many tropical orchids, which naturally reside perched on the branches of timber, this selection grows on the bottom.
One other tropical ginger is the pink ginger (Alpinia purpurata). The precise flowers are small, white, and solely final a short time, however these showy pink bracts that develop across the flowers are sensible and make a long-lasting show within the backyard.
That’s ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa) within the again and colourful croton (Codiaeum variegatum) within the entrance. Grown all around the tropics, the ti plant is very identified from Hawaii, the place it was introduced by Polynesian explorers and has a variety of makes use of, together with the making of leis.
Thanks for taking us to Florida, Colleen! When you’ve had the prospect to go to a botanic backyard or different backyard vacation spot, tropical or not, I hope you’ll ship in images so we are able to embody them in our “GPOD on the Street” collection!
