Bixa orellana is quite spectacular this time of year with its bright red seed pods against dark green heart shaped leaves. Prior to the seed pods ripening this tree has beautiful pinkish lavender-colored blossoms, although short-lived. The tree is native to northern S. America, Central America, and Mexico attaining a height of 15-20′ maintaining branches…
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Dombeya wallichii and Dombeya burgessiae ‘Seminole’ are commonly called Tropical Hydrangea due to their flowers looking very similar to the temperate Hydrangea. However, botanically they are in the Malvaceae family which is the Hibiscus or Mallow Family. So, in fact they are more closely related to Hibiscus than Hydrangea. Dombeya wallichii is more tree-like than…
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Eugenia reinwardtiana is native to Australia and like most species in the genus Eugenia produces edible fruit. It grows very well in South Florida as a shrub of maybe 3-6′ tall. it has tiny white flowers followed by small orange-red fruits when ripe. The fruits have a single seed and a very sweet soft flesh.…
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Tithonia diversifolia is a perennial in South Florida which can attain a height of 6-12 feet. This time of year, you cannot miss its large yellow flowers that resemble a sunflower. This plant would be excellent in the back corner of a butterfly garden as it attracts all of South Florida’s butterflies and honeybees. Richard…
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Stigmaphyllon littorale has two common names. One for the seed pods which resemble chartreuse colored butterflies before turning brown, and one for the flowers which resemble tiny orchids. The vine can reach 20′ on a fence or trellis. It blooms twice a year, spring and fall, in South Florida. Butterflies and bees are attracted to…
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