Today, ‘Under The Jakfruit Tree, will actually be about Jakfruit trees. No matter how you spell it, Jakfruit or Jackfruit, it is the largest fruit that grows on a tree in the world. It is native to India, but it has been cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and right here in our own backyard of South…
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South Florida has a very diverse population of butterflies, and one of the most interesting is the Giant Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes). It is the largest species of butterfly found in North America. It has a wing span of 4-6.25 inches with a striking yellow and black coloration. The larva or caterpillar is sometimes referred…
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This week’s selection is the Genus Portlandia and two relatives of Portlandia, Cubanola and Catesbaea. These small trees have very fragrant flowers which are pollinated by moths. All three are members of the Rubiaceae family which is home to coffee and gardenias. Portlandia grandiflora (Tree Lily or Bell Flower) has fragrant flowers like its relative,…
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Mussaenda is a genus of shrubs in the Rubiaceae Family (the Coffee Family) with very showy enlarged floral sepals which surround the true flower. Mussaendas are commonly planted in the South Florida landscape, although they are native to the African and Asian tropics. Richard Lyons Nursery carries 6 different varieties as shown below.
This week’s featured plant is Hamelia cuprea (Bahama Firebush). Despite its common name of Bahama Firebush, this shrub is native to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Cayman Islands, but NOT the Bahamas. A close relative to Hamelia patans, our native Firebush, its leaves are larger and glossier, and the flowers are bell shaped and much…
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