Oxalis triangularis, Love Plant

Oxalis triangularis. Commonly called false shamrock, purple shamrock or Love Plant. It belongs to Oxalidaceae family. USA Hardiness zone-  (8a–11). Height - 6 to 12 inches. Photophilic- close flowers and leaves with light.  

Adapt well to indoor conditions and thrive year round. Incredibly long lived, "heirloom plants“ change hands with generation. Natural toxicity, keep away pets and small animals. Deep pots are better, no other plant be co- located in same pot.

Growth from bulbs/ corm and root division. Light water is needed, once after 2 weeks, even less during winters. Indoor sunny spot. More water takes to dormancy. Dry the dormant plant, when first leaf appear restart watering. 

Requires bright to medium  indirect light,
(east window best).

Three-piece purple/ burgundy leaves.
Too much sun can burn the leaves. 

Low-maintenance houseplants.

Super simple to plant and grow.

Deep pots are better.

 Flowers are white in color.  

Delightful addition to indoors. 

Please enjoy reading, viewing and rearing the plant for next generation as a treasure. All photos have been taken by me. 

Cordyline fruticosa 'Firebrand‘

Botanical name is Cordyline fruticosa 'Firebrand'. Belongs to family of Asparagaceae. About origin they say it is from Eastern Asia. USA Hardiness Zone - (10 to 12). It can grow up to a height of 9 to15 feet. Part shade to full shade.

Needs well-drained, moist soils and humidity- spray leaves, place pots on troughs of wet pebbles or grow in bathrooms.  Easy to grow indoors, needs bright indirect light. Used in gardens for ornamental foliage. Leaves appear as pinkish red, but mature to deep green, in color. 

Fragrant, white to pale lavender flowers appear in panicles (10 to 12” long) in summer and are followed by red berries. Panicle - branched inflorescence ( group/ clusters of flowers). 

No serious insect or disease issues. Water requirement is moderate. 

A beautiful, colorful, broadleaf and evergreen shrub.

Leaves are red, pink and green.

Name Cordyline derived from
Greek word -  "kordyle" meaning club/ stick 

Fragrant, white to pale lavender flowers

Flowers in panicles - branched inflorescence

Another view of flowers.

Propagation is through
stem sections/ cuttings. 

A panicle means - branched inflorescence. 
Inflorescence means group/ cluster of flowers

Please enjoy reading, colorfully reviewing and adopting this cordyline/ club. All photographs have been taken by me at Lahore. 

Clitoria ternatea, Butterfly Pea- (Culinary and medicinal values)

It's botanical name is Clitoria ternatea.  Commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, Blue bell vine, Blue pea, Butterfly pea, Cordofan pea and Darwin pea. It belongs to Fabaceae, family. USA Hardiness Z- (11 to 12). Origin- tropical Asia.

Flowers resemble female genitalia in shape; hence, the botanical name- Clitoria. Spread is 3 to 6 feet. No serious insect or disease problems. Has a religious value in Hindu rituals. 

Butterfly Pea Tea has both medicinal and culinary properties. Roots are used for medicinal purposes. Petals are used as edible food dye, petals also garnish salads, ice cream and soups. Pea tea is consumed  hot or cold, has woody and earthy taste. 

Drink will change color depending on the ph of the ingredients. Deep midnight blue color changes, rich violet color by adding lemon, and to bright red by adding hibiscus flowers . People take it regularly. Has antidiabetic  sedative values. It's naturally caffeine-free, Provides energy and increases brain power. Consult your Doctor.

Propagation by seeds, first file the seeds, then soak in water overnight at room temperature before planting during warm spring. Germination -15 to 20 days.  

A climbing vine, needs trellis, can weave through a hedges.

Water requirement medium.

Maintenance - medium.

Bloom colors to include pink, white, dark blue and lilac.

Attains a height from 10 to 15 feet. 

Flowers have culinary uses and benefits.

Support required for climbing.

Propagation by seeds

May you enjoy reading, viewing and drinking tea from a self grown vine. 

Echinocactus grusonii - mother-in-law's cushion/ seat.

Echinocactus grusonii - Other names are; Golden Barrel Cactus, Golden ball or Mother-in-law's cushion/ seat. Phonetics- (ekin-oh-KAK-tus, groo-SON-ee-eye). It's type is Cactus and Succulents. Origin is from east-central Mexico. 

Belongs to family of Cacteaceae -(kak-TAY-see-ee). USA Hardiness Zone– (9- 11). Drought-tolerant. Can attain a height up to 2- 3 feet. Royal Horticulture Society has given it  Award of Garden Merit. 

Soil ph mildly acidic/ alkaline/ neutral. Caution- spines. Propagation- offsets or seeds. Produces offset clump. Do not wet the body. Water standing around root will cause root rot. Keep dry in winters.  Feed with high potassium fertilizers.

Great in decorative containers. It's almost disease free. Relatively slow growing. Approximately attains a diameter of 10 inches in 10 years. 

Only mature plants kept under full sun would bloom. 

Adds texture, color and shape to landscape.

Thrives in Full Sun,
may tolerate some shade. 

Bloom is pale yellow.

Bloom time- Mar to October/ November.

Thrives in Full Sun, may tolerate some shade. 

A part of Rocky and Cacti Gardens.

Stem is ribbed. 

Please enjoy reading, viewing and keeping this yellow diamond.

Capparis spinose, the caper bush.

Capparis spinose, other names are; the caper bush, Flinders rose. Locals at Rohtas Fort call it Akore. Family Capparaceae. USA Hardiness Zone- (8 to 10).

It is a perennial, spiny and scrambling bush. Flowers are showy and have purple stamens. Bloom time May to Oct. 

Thrives under sun full/ no shade. Water requirement dry to medium.  Fruit is eaten or consumed in pickled form. 

Buds are picked, washed and preserved in salt or pickled in vinegar to garnish foods, or culinary additives. Has medicinal value.

It can thrive in soils which are poor, dry, rocky or sandy 

Height up to 2.00 to 3.00 feet, Its spread is 3-6 feet. 

Flowers last for one day only.

It has broadleaf  which are round in shape.

Flowers are fragrant, white to pinkish-white in color.

Locals use it as a relief for joint pains. 

Fruit edible oblong, multi-seeded, known as caperberries.

 

May you enjoy reading, viewing and enjoy growing this culinary plant. 

All photos have been taken by me, while visiting Rohtas Fort near Jhelum.

Carissa macrocarpa, Natal Plum.

 Carissa macrocarpa, Natal Plum. An ornamental shrub which can grow up to a small tree. Origin Natal region of South Africa. Common name Natal Plum. Belongs to Apocynaceae family. Phonetics- (Kar iss uh - Makro kar pa). 

Can grow under full sun to partial shade. Evergreen, with dark green glossy leaves. Can grow up to Ht 6-8 feet. USA Hardiness zone- (9- 11). All parts are poisonous, if ingested less ripened edible berries. Soil ph mildly alkaline/ acidic or neutral. plum-shaped fruit, jam. Good Perennial hedge- dense overlapping leaves make a good screen and spines make it a reasonable barrier. 

Growth rate is Moderate. Fruit in 2 years. Ripe fruit is slightly soft to the touch. These fruits ripen individually and not all at once. They persist on the plant after ripening. Heat drought tolerant. Propagation through Cutting, layering and seeds. Used as a low shrub or ground cover. 

Bloom is white/ near white. Sweetly fragrant. 

Has spines, adopt caution while working with plant.

Flowers are star like

Dense overlapping foliage.

Container plant.

Garden use of mix with "Variegata".

May you enjoy reading, viewing and growing this evergreen medium growth shrub. All photos have been taken by me, please. 

Senna alata, Golden Candelabra Bush

 

Senna alata.  Other names are Candle Bush, Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Golden Candlestick. Phonetics - (SEN-nuh, a-LAY-tuh). Origin- Mexico to Tropical America. Naturalized in subcontinent. USA Hardiness Zone- (8- 11)

Type - Shrubs Trees. Evergreen. Drought-tolerant. Soil ph mildliy alkaline/ acidic/ neutral. Poisonous if ingested.

Effective fungicidal properties- treats wring worms and skin infections. Joint pains. Medication under expert supervision only. 

Candelabra blooms.

Bloom- Bright Yellow. 

Full sun. Grow outdoors.

Bloom time: Mid Summer- Mid Fall

Grows up to 6-8 feet

Leaves close in the dark.

Propagation by division of root ball, 
cuttings from semi hardwood or seeds. 

Has medicinal value.

BBB- Attractive to Butterflies, bees, and birds. 

Please enjoy reading and viewing and growing bright yellow candelabras. All pictures are taken by me at Lahore.