South African Geranium (Pelargonium sidoides)

South African Geranium (Pelargonium sidoides) is a medicinal plant native to South Africa. It forms a rosette-like plant with crowded leaves. It is very similar to some forms of P. reniforme, but is easily distinguished by its blackish, rather than pink petals. The long-stalked leaves are mildly aromatic, heart-shaped and velvety. The distinctive dark, reddish-purple (almost black) flowers are present almost throughout the year, but occur mostly from late spring to summer (October - January) with a peak in midsummer (December).

The plant is an evergreen in cultivation, but it probably dies back in nature during droughts and in winter (May to August). The system of thickened underground root-like branches is a special adaptation which enables the plant to survive grass fires which occur almost annually over much of its range.

It can be planted in rockeries in full sun. It is also an excellent pot plant. It is utilized for a variety of folk-medicinal purposes resulting in the colloquial name ‘Rabassam’.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Geraniales
Family : Geraniaceae
Genus : Pelargonium
Species : Pelargonium sidoides

Pronunciation/Meaning:

• Geraniaceae (jer-ay-nee-AY-see-ay) - From the Greek geranos (crane), referring to the beak-like fruit.
• Pelargonium (pe-lar-GO-nee-um) - From the Greek for Stork referring to the seed heads.
• sidoides (si-DOY-deez) - From the resemblance of the foliage to that of a European plant, Sida rhombifolia.

Common Names:

• South African Geranium, Kalwerbossie, Rabassam, Umckaloabo

Links:

• Herbal Africa - South African Geranium
• Plantz Africa - South African Geranium

Image Courtesy of Stephen Buchan.

Liverwort (Hepatica nobilis)

Liverwort (Hepatica nobilis syn. Anemone hepatica) is an herbaceous member of the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family that is native to the forest floors of temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It grows on stone walls, rocks and in woodlands. The variety H. nobilis var. nobilis is native to Europe. A few botanists include Hepatica within a wider interpretation of Anemone, as Anemone hepatica.

It was used by medieval herbalists to treat liver diseases. Modern applications by herbalists include treatments for pimples, bronchitis and gout.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Ranunculales
Family : Ranunculaceae
Genus : Hepatica
Species : Hepatica nobilis

Pronunciation/Meaning:

• Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ay) - The Ranunculus (buttercup) family.
• Hepatica (hep-AT-ih-kuh) - From hepar, liver; referring to its supposed curative properties.
• nobilis (no-BIL-iss) - Notable, showy or Named for David Noble, who discovered Wollemia nobilis.

Common Names:

• Liverleaf, Liverwort, Common Hepatica, Kidneywort, Pennywort

Links:

• Plants for a future - Liverwort

Image Courtesy of Ernst Vikne (iBoy71).

Tulip Orchid (Anguloa uniflora)

Tulip Orchid (Anguloa uniflora) was named in honour of Don Francisco de Angulo, Director-General of Mines, in Peru, at the end of the 18th century. A terrestrial orchid from the Colombian Andes, Anguloa uniflora is about 18 to 24 inches tall with thin pleated leaves above conical pseudo bulbs. The large, fragrant, creamy-white, waxy flower grows on a single stem that rises from the base of the pseudo bulbs. The lip is hinged and, when insects enter to remove nectar, they are shoved against the column to help in pollination.

The tulip orchid usually blooms in the spring and in the summer. It prefers intermediate to cold temperatures and shade. It should be kept evenly moist. It needs less water in winter. To encourage flowering, watering should be decreased after it has finished its growth.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Asparagales
Family : Orchidaceae
Subfamily : Epidendroideae
Tribe : Maxillarieae
Subtribe : Lycastinae
Genus : Anguloa
Species : Anguloa uniflora

Pronunciation/Meaning:

• Anguloa (an-gyoo-LOH-uh) - Named for Don Franciso de Angulo, 18th century Spanish botanist and orchid collector.
• uniflora (yoo-nee-FLOR-uh) - Single flowered.

Common Names:

• Tulip Orchid, Boat Orchid

Links:

• How stuff works - Tulip Orchid

Image Courtesy of Lloyd Gross (fotoproze).

Annatto (Bixa orellana)

Annatto (Bixa orellana) is a shrub or small tree from the tropical region of the American continent. It is also known as Aploppas, and its original Tupi name urucu. It is cultivated there and in South-east Asia, where it was introduced by the Spanish in the 17th century. It is best known as the source of the natural pigment annatto, produced from the fruit. The plant bears pink flowers and bright red spiny fruits which contain red seeds. The fruits dry and harden to brown capsules.

The inedible fruit is harvested for its seeds, which contain annatto, also called bixin. It can be extracted by stirring the seeds in water. It is used to colour food products, such as cheeses, fish, and salad oil. Sold as a paste or power for culinary use, mainly as a colour, it is known as “achiote”, “annatto” or “pimentao doce”.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Malvales
Family : Bixaceae
Genus : Bixa
Species : Bixa orellana

Pronunciation/Meaning:

• Bixa (BIKS-uh) - Latinized form of the South American vernacular name for this plant.
• orellana (o-rEL-la-NA) - Named after Francisco de Orellana, a Spanish explorer of the 16th century.

Common Names:

• Annatto, Lipstick Plant, Urucum, Colorau, Achiote

Links:

• Spice Pages - Annatto
• Rain Tree - Annatto

Image Courtesy of guzhengman.

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

The Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant that catches and digests animal prey (mostly insects and arachnids). The trapping structure is formed by the terminal portion of each of the plant’s leaves. The plant’s name refers to Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

The Venus flytrap is perhaps one of the best-known and most awesome plants. Its leaves are modified in an extraordinary way in order to feed on insects, although it does still obtain energy from the sun. The plant is an innocuous looking rosette, but the leaf blades terminate in distinctive bivalve traps with sharply toothed edges. The outside of the traps is generally green whilst the insides have red pigment that varies in shade depending on the age of the trap; on the edge of each lobe there are 14-20 teeth that point radially from the trap. The flower stalk is devoid of leaves (known as a scape) and can reach up to 30 cm tall. In season, small white flowers are born with faint green veins; the seed capsules are flat and contain a single, shiny black seed.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Caryophyllales
Family : Droseraceae
Genus : Dionaea
Species : Dionaea muscipula

Pronunciation/Meaning:

• Dionaea (dy-OH-nee-uh) - From the Greek name for Venus.
• muscipula (musk-ip-oola) - Fly catching.

Common Names:

• Venus Flytrap

Links:

• Arkive - Venus Flytrap
• How to grow a Venus Flytrap
• How to grow Venus Flytrap

Image Courtesy of David Midgley (petrichor).