Strobilanthes dyerianus (Persian Shield, Burmada Conehead)

With iridescent, glowing purple leaves, Persian Shields are colorful tropical perennials. They perform best in mineral rich, moist soils in partial sun or shade. The foliage is actually dark green, despite its radiating colors.

Strobilanthes dyerianus (Persian Shield, Burmada Conehead) [synonym Strobilanthes dyeriana]
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 10-11
Height: 30-90 centimeters (12-36 inches) tall
Diameter: 30-90 centimeters (12-36 inches) spread
Growth Rate: moderate
Age: perennial
Root System: Phosphorus supplements improve root growth.
Family: Acanthaceae
Subspecies: none

Tolerates: moist soils, herbivores (deer)
Problems (major): none
Problems (minor): Consistently wet soils choke root systems and may lead to rot or Rhizoctonia (a type of harmful fungus). Spider mites may also inhibit growth.
Poisonous: Contact may cause dermatitis; do not ingest.

Soil requirements: prefers rich (high-nutrient), consistently moist, sandy/light or loamy/medium, well-drained soils with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5-6.5
Air requirements: prefers high humidity
Watering requirement: moderate
Sun requirement: full sun to part-shade (potentially full shade in very warm climates)

Leaf shape: ovate to lanceolate, dark green with a shining/iridescent light to dark purple colors
Leaf size:up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long by 8 centimeters (3 inches) wide
Stem structure: soft-stemmed, turning somewhat arborescent (semi-woody) with age
Flower structure: tiny, purple or blue, cone-like inflorescences
Flowering frequency: seasonal
Monocot/Dicot: dicot
Notable characteristics:
These are easily propagated by cuttings.

Uses:
These are grown solely for ornamental purposes.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a122
• http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/giam/plants_and_grasses/houseplants_foliage/persian_shield.html
• http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/strobilanthes-dyerianus/
• http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_f08d.html
• http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/516/#b
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=STROB
• http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/strobilanthes-dyeriana

Foliage

Foliage

Trailing form at Southern Illinois Univeristy Carbondale PLB greenhouse

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)

Well known for their iconic inflorescence, Sunflowers are very hardy annuals native to North America. They grow rapidly in most areas, often outcompeting native or invasive “weeds”. They tolerate most soils and survive droughts very well due to their extensive taproot and persistent lateral roots. Sunflowers are the most significant crop grown today that are native to the new world.

Helianthus annuus (Sunflower)
Deciduous: yes
Hardiness Zones: 2-11
Height: 1-3 meters (3-10 feet) tall, smaller varieties to 1 meter (3 feet) tall, giant varieties to 4.5 meters (15 feet) tall
Diameter: 45-90 centimeters (18-36 inches) wide
Growth Rate: rapid
Age: annual
Root System: taproot to 3 meters (10 feet) tall, spreading lateral roots near soil’s surface
Family: Asteraceae
Subspecies: many colors (red, orange, yellow) available; ssp. lenticularis (wild sunflower), ssp. annuus (weedy wild sunflower), ssp. macrocarpus (edible seeds),
‘Mammoth Russian’ (giant), ‘Pole Star’ and ‘Jupiter’ (moderate size), ‘Advance’ and ‘Sunset’ (dwarf)

Tolerates: herbivores (deer, rabbits), dry soils, drought, fungi, limestone, frost, very acidic to very alkaline soils, poor soils, wet soils, light/sandy soils, viruses,
competing weeds, air pollution
Problems (major): none
Problems (minor): strong winds (for taller specimens), rust, leaf fungal spots, powdery mildew, caterpillars, beetles
Poisonous: presumably no, seeds edible raw

Soil requirements: tolerates dry and wet soils of any pH, limestone, and light/sandy soils
Air requirements: tolerant of poor urban air conditions (air pollution)
Watering requirement: somewhat low to moderate
Sun requirement: requires full sun

Leaf shape: ovate to triangular, opposite or alternate
Leaf size: up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) long by 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide
Flower structure: large inflorescences to 15 centimeters (6 inches) in diameter, bright yellow rays, brown/black flowers in the center, emerge at the tops of stems, may droop, terminal
Flowering frequency: July and August
Seeds: 4-pointed, elliptical, white with black stripes, to 2 centimeters (1 inch) long, achenes
Bulb/tuber: neither
Monocot/Dicot: Dicot
Annual/Biennial/Perennial: annual

Notable characteristics:
These are very hardy, quick growing annuals with magnificent terminal inflorescences. These are grown as a crop for feed and their seeds and in gardens for their
ornamental value.

Uses:
The oil from sunflower seeds is used for a variety of culinary uses. The kernels/seeds are eaten either raw ot baked by humans, birds, and other animals. The seeds
have been used in folk medicine as cures for an extremely wide range of ailments.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a583
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=hean3
• http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/helianthus-annuus/
• http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~plants-c/bio414/species%20pages/helianthus%20annuus.htm
• https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Helianthus_annuus.html

A dwarf variety, the inflorescence

A dwarf variety, with only a few leaves due to its miniature size

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Asclepias perennis (Aquatic Milkweed)

Native to the southeastern United States, Aquatic Milkweed live in swampy regions. They require consistently moist, neutral pH soils in full sun to survive. Their flowers attract butterflies, although their larva may prey on these.

Asclepias perennis (Aquatic Milkweed)
Deciduous: yes
Hardiness Zones: 6-9, tolerates temperaturs as low as -23 degrees Celsius (-10 degrees Fahrenheit)
Height: 45-60 centimeters (18-24 inches) tall
Diameter: up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) wide
Growth Rate: moderate
Age: perennial
Root System: taproot
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Subspecies: none

Tolerates: consistently wet conditions
Problems (major): none
Problems (minor): host to some butterfly and moth species
Poisonous: Potentially toxic, the sap may cause dermatitis in some.

Soil requirements: requires consistently wet soils, survives in water, grows in light/sandy and medium/loamy soils, tolerates neutral soils (5.0-7.5 pH)
Air requirements: not sufficiently researched
Watering requirement: requires consistently wet conditions
Sun requirement: requires full sun

Leaf structure: arrangement opposite, linear to elliptic, petiolate, petioles to 2 centimeters (1 inch) long, leaves to 13 centimeters (5 inches) long, undersides green
Stem structure: dark purple-green, up to 3 umbels per stem
Flower structure: umbels, glabrous, flat panicles, peduncles to 2 centimeters (1 inch) long, individual flowers to 4 millimeters long by 2 millimeters wide, flowers
white with 5 petals with white hoods
Flowering frequency: May-September
Freshwater/Saltwater native: freshwater
Location (Pond, Stream, River, Lake, Sea, Ocean): pond, stream, marsh, floodplains
Monocot or Dicot: Dicot

Notable characteristics:
These can divide by rhizomes. These survive in marshy, consistently wet soils.

Uses:
Aquatic Milkweed attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Sources used:

• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ASPE
• http://nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/demogarden/printables/swamp%20milkweed.pdf
• http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/asclepias-perennis
• http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteopp/Asclepias_perennis_page.html
• http://www.butterflyplantshop.com/plants-directory/668/asclepias-perennis-white-swamp-milkweed/
• http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/48889/#b

White flowers and foliage of A. incarnata (uploaded 11 August 2009 by Fabio Alessandro Locati at the Botanical Garden Hanbury at Ventimiglia, Italy)

I do not own the rights of these images; all credit goes to its original creator(s).

Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant)

With dark, glossy leaves, Rubber Trees are fast-growing (slow indoors) tropical that develop aerial roots at maturity. These initially thrive in partial shade, making them popular houseplants in cooler climates. Mature plants, however, require full sun. These bear a peculiarly close resemblance to Magnolia grandiflora (in terms of leaves and flowers), leading some people to mistake one for the other at first glance.

Ficus elastica (India Rubber Tree, Rubber Plant)
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 10-12
Height: to 30 meters tall in the tropics, rarely past 3 meters indoors
Diameter: to 30 meters across in tropical climates, rarely past 2 meters indoors
Growth Rate: fast (full sun), slow indoors with low light
Age: to 600 years old in tropics
Root System: Banyan-like aerial roots may occur in large mature trees, potentially forming bridges if “trained” correctly. Thin, smaller roots commonly arise from juvenile trunks. Surface roots are very common and may disrupt sidewalks.
Family: Moraceae
Subspecies: ‘Doescheri’ (yellow variegated foliage), ‘Decora’ (reddish-green foliage with central ivory veins), ‘Variegata’ (light green foliage with light yellow margins), ‘Strawberry & Cream’ (reddish-pink leaves, similar to ‘Tineke’), ‘Burgundy’ (very dark purple/red, black leaves)

Tolerates: shade (severely limits growth, however), aerosol salt (moderate), drought (once mature, very resilient to dry spells)
Problems (major): easy to overwater and cause root rot
Problems (minor): Scale, aphids, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, breakage (strong winds)
Poisonous: Contact with the sap may cause dermatitis in select individuals, non-toxic otherwise.

Soil requirements: requires well-drained soils, tolerates clays and sands, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline,
Air requirements: requires high humidity, at least 40%
Watering requirement: moderate, allow soil to dry out in between watering
Sun requirement: part-shade indoors, full sun for best results
Leaves: dark green with red sheaths protecting maturing leaves (some with splotches of yellow, others dark red-black), alternate, simple, elliptic, pinnate, to 30 centimeters long by 20 cm wide
Flowers: similar in structure to Magnolia grandiflora flowers, white petals
Fruits: to 1 centimeter in diameter, green, round, fleshy, inconspicuous
Seeds require stratification: no
Trunk: light brown, smooth, copious aerial roots with age
Form: irregular, rounded
Monoecious or Dioecious: monoecious
Monocot or Dicot: dicot

Notable characteristics:
The sap/resin (containing isoprene) from these plants has been used as a weaker form of rubber. However, it is more expensive and less useful than the typical rubber in use produced by Hevea brasiliensis. Additionally, these produce extremely dense shade in which few other plants can grow. The roots are sometimes manipulated to grow on Betel nut trees to form living bridges across gaps or streams.

Uses:
Rubber plants are frequently grown as houseplants in temperate regions.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b597
• http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/ficelaa.pdf
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=FIEL
• http://www.public.asu.edu/~camartin/plants/Plant%20html%20files/ficuselastica.html
• http://www.nelive.in/meghalaya/travel/roots-live-and-bridge
• http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/rubber-plant.html
• http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2011/08/engineer-ficus-elastica.html
• http://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Toxic_Plants_by_Scientific_Name_685/
• The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture: A Discussion for the Amateur, and the Professional and Commercial Grower, of the Kinds, Characteristics and Methods of Cultivation of the Species of Plants Grown in the Regions of the United States and Canada for Ornament, for Fancy, for Fruit and for Vegetables; with Keys to the Natural Families and Genera, Descriptions of the Horticultural Capabilities of the States and Provinces and Dependent Islands, and Sketches of Eminent Horticulturists, Volume 3 (p.1229)

A fairly young Rubber Plant with new red leaves

Very dark black foliage at Missouri Botanical Garden

A young, severely pruned Rubber Plant with a cut trunk

Foliage

Trunk with roots forming (at SIUC PLB Greenhouse)

Leaf

Bark

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock, Canadian Hemlock)

Eastern Hemlocks have been grown as excellent screens and shade trees due to their general tolerance of pests and diseases. They feature soft, tiny foliage with minuscule light-brown cones. T. canadensis also grow slowly and typically with only one trunk, making them ideal for bonsai. However, the emergence of hemlock woolly agelids (Adelges tsugae, abbreviated HAW) have led to striking decreases in hemlock populations, drastically reducing hemlock populations across North America. However, these hemlocks can survive in colder zones than these terrible pests, offering a refuge in northern areas.

Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock, Canadian Hemlock)
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 3-7, dislike temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit)
Height: 12-21 meters (40-70 feet) tall usually, recorded to reach 53 meters (175 feet) tall
Diameter: 7.5-10.5 meters (25-35 feet) tall
Growth Rate: slow
Age: reaches maturity around 300 years old, may persist to 800 years old
Root System: minimal surface roots, typically shallow, deeper when water availability permits
Family: Pinaeae
Subspecies: ‘Bennett’ (globular dwarf), ‘Sargentii’ (dwarf, to 4 meters (12 feet) tall by 6 meters (20 feet) wide at 80 years old), ‘White Gentsch’ (round, flat dwarf)

Tolerates: Black Walnut (Juglans genus) toxins (Juglones), herbivores (deer), dense/heavy shade (in southern, warmer areas), most pests
Problems (major): Sun-scald, drought, dry soils, and high temperatures (above 95 degrees Fahrenheit) in warmer climates in sunny areas. Hemlock woolly adelgid
(HAW) are extremely minuscule insects that have killed an enormous amount of hemlock trees, especially in warmer climates where the HAW can overwinter.
Problems (minor): needle blight, cankers, rusts, root rot (in overly wet soils), bagworms, borers, leaf miners, saw flies, spider mites
Poisonous: No, Poison Hemlock plants belong to an entirely different family.

Soil requirements: prefers moderately moist, acidic, well-drained light/sandy or moderate/loamy soils
Air requirements: intolerant of poor air quality (urban pollution)
Watering requirement: moderate to high (higher in southern regions)
Sun requirement: full sun (northernmost range) to part-shade to full shade (warmest southern climates)

Needles: lacy, soft, dark green (light green when newly formed), appear in flat sprays, to 1 centimeter (0.5 inches) long, 2 white lines/bands (stomata) on the underside
Cones (male): yellow, tiny, globular
Cones (female): small, light green when newly formed, light brown at maturity, to 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long
Seeds: tiny, light brown
Bark: grayish-brown when young, maturing to less smooth and reddish-brown
Form: wide, conical
Seeds require stratification: yes
Monoecious or Dioecious: monoecious

Notable characteristics:
Eastern Hemlocks have a pyramidal growth form. The needles of this particular conifer are the smallest in its genus. The foliage and branching patterns are adept at handling copious amounts of snowfall.

Uses:
Canadian Hemlocks, in areas not affected by HAW, are excellent screen and shade trees. These tend to perform in the cooler part of their range, as the HAW are not as cold hardy as these hemlocks. These are occasionally used as bonsai because of their tiny foliage.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=g100
• http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/tsuga/canadensis.htm
• http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/608/Lists/second%20ed/Tsugacanadensis.pdf
• http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st646
• http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/tsucanb.pdf
• http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Tsuga+canadensis
• http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/42431/0
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=tsca
• http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=116
• http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/tsuga-canadensis/

Several cones alongside foliage at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

An older, more rigid trunk

Cones and foliage

Cones and foliage

Foliage and branches at the Missouri Botanical Garden

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Abies concolor (White Fir, Concolor Fir)

Tolerant to shade, drought, and resistant to most pests and diseases, White Firs are some of the healthiest and “best” conifers available. They thrive at high altitudes and grow as excellent holiday trees. Their root system is adaptive to different soil conditions, although it dislikes very acidic, alkaline, and heavy/clay soils. Many varieties are commercially available, especially in the western United States.

Abies concolor (White Fir, Concolor Fir)
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 3-7
Height: 12-21 meters (40-70 feet) tall in cultivation, 24-39 meters (80-130 feet) tall in native habitats
Diameter: 6-9 meters (20-30 feet) wide
Growth Rate: similar to Fraser Fir, highly variable, typically slow but occasionally rapid, upto 45 centimeters (18 inches) annually
Age: Cone production usually doesn’t begin until 40 years of age. Some reports claim some White Firs to be 500 years old.
Root System: may be deep and pervasive in lighter soils (taproot-like) or shallow and wide where water tables affect soil depth, surface roots not a problem
Family: Pinaceae
Subspecies: var. lowiana (in California, where rainfall and temperatures are higher), var. concolor (in the Rocky Mountains, where rainfall is lower), ‘Blue Cloak’ (slow-growing, weeping form), ‘Candicans’ (most blue), ‘Conica’ (slow, upright, conical), ‘Gable’s Weeping’ (wind-swept form), (dwarf compact, may reach 6 feet in 10 years of growth)

Tolerates: drought (especially var. concolor), shade (more so than other conifers), light fires (at old ages, although these open up new entry points for pests and diseases)
Problems (major): none, fairly resilient
Problems (minor): Heavy/clay soils negatively affect growth and health. Bark beetles, spruce budworms, aphids, bagworms, scale, rust (rare), cankers, balsam woody adelgid, root rots, strong winds (especially for taller specimens), urban pollution, and fungal infections (at damaged areas) are all detrimental.
Poisonous: Terpines may cause pain if ingested. Contact with Concolor Firs may cause dermatitis in some.

Soil requirements: prefers mineral or nutrient rich soils, requires moderately acidic soils with good drainage, tolerates medium/loamy and light/sandy soils, dislikes very acidic, alkaline, and heavy/clay soils
Air requirements: intolerant of poor air quality
Watering requirement: moderate
Sun requirement: prefers full sun, tolerates part shade

Needles: up to 7 centimeters (2.5 inches) long
Cones (male): yellow to red, catkin-like
Cones (female): elliptical, up to 6 inches long, yellow to green when immature, purple or brown at maturity
Seeds: oblong, light brown, with wing
Leaves: none
Flowers: none
Fruits: none
Bark: gray, smooth when young, furrowed when older
Seeds require stratification: yes
Monoecious or Dioecious: monoecious

Notable characteristics:
The overall shape is narrow and conical. These are present, and thrive, in high altitudes, up to 9,000 feet.

Uses:
White Firs are commonly used as Christmas trees. Although not extremely popular, these conifers perform significantly better than most others. Occasionally, White Firs have been used for a variety of medicines.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c201
• http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/abies/concolor.htm
• http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/abicona.pdf
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ABCO
• http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=94
• http://www.hrt.msu.edu/assets/pagepdfs/bert-cregg/concolor-fir-w-cover.pdf
• http://medplant.nmsu.edu/abies.shtml
• http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/abies-concolor/

A mature female cone, sitting upright

A White Fir at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Colorado, foliage and bark visible

Bark, foliage, and shape

Several mature, purple, female cones atop A. concolor

All of the images provided were taken by me at the Denver Botanic Gardens in June 2014. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir, Red-fir, Coast Douglas-fir) [sometimes P. brevifloia]

Contrary to the name ‘Douglas-fir’, Pseudotsuga menziesii is a pine tree. It also happens to be one of the tallest trees in North America, with one giant at a recorded 329 feet tall. The cones appear unique, with many bracts covering up “mice tails”, as the wind-dispersed section of the seeds are called. Pseudotsuga menziesii was the first scientific name I ever remembered. I showed a cone to one of my first botany mentors, which I found particularly strange due to its structure. I have always had a fascination with these, as their common name implies it to be a fir, its scientific name a hemlock, its foliage a spruce, yet it is considered a pine.

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir, Red-fir, Oregon-pine, Douglas-spruce, Coast Douglas-fir (var. ‘menziesii’) [occasionally Pseudtsuga brevifolia]
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 4-6
Height: The douglas-fir grows 12.2-24.2 meters (40-80 feet) in cultivation, but one tree was recorded at 100.2 meters (329 feet), making it North America’s second tallest tree species. Trees may have once possibly topped 122 meters (400 feet) tall.
Diameter: 3.6-6.1 meters (12-20 feet) in cultivation at maturity, occasionally spreads further with older trees
Growth Rate: moderate to fast
Age: Commonly exceeds 500 years in proper care, sometimes lasts longer than a milennium.
Root System: Roots do not lift up nearby ground.
Family: Pinaceae
Subspecies: ‘menziesii’, ‘glauca’ (blue foliage, ‘Anguina’, ‘Brevifolia’ (shorter needles), ‘Compact’ (more conical growth), ‘Fastigiata’ (more pyramidal growth), ‘Fretsii’ (dense, short leaves and grows as a bush), ‘Nana’ (dwarf), ‘Pendula’ (drooping branches close to the ground), ‘Revoluta’ (curly leaves), ‘Stairii’ (variegated needles)

Tolerates: In a proper growing environment, P. menziesii has very few insect or disease problems. Strong winds are of little concern to Douglas-firs.
Problems (major): Droughts are especially dangerous to younger trees as the soil must remain at least moderately moist.
Problems (minor): Scale and bark beetles can harm trees under stress. Aphids may attack young trees. Root rot can affect trees with poor drainage.
Poisonous: presumably no

Soil requirements: Sandy, loamy, and clay soils are fine. No specific pH is required.
Air Requirements: not sufficiently researched
Watering requirement:medium or wet
Sun requirement: full sun

Needles: yellowish-green in ‘menziesii’, blue (Picea pungens blue) in ‘glauca’
Cones (male): pollination runs from March to May usually
Cones (female): up to 10 centimeters (4.5 inches) (seed begin ripening until around November)
Leaves: none
Flowers: none
Fruits: none
Seeds require stratification: yes
Monoecious or Dioecious: monoecious (Male and female cones grow on seperate trees.)

Notable characteristics:
These can grow at an elevation of of 5500 feet (var ‘glauca’ has been reported to grow at 9500 feet). The cones have unique bracts (small trident-shaped structures) that make their unique-looking cones easily identifiable. The oldest douglas-fir is estimated to be 1300-1400 years old.
These trees are narrow and pryamidal-shaped with branches hanging to the ground. Older trees are more cylindrical and only have needles on the upper third of the tree. The douglas-fir is also the state tree of Oregon.

Uses:
Especially in the Pacific northwestern region of the United States, this is one of the most valuable timber trees in North America. Douglas-firs grow well as shade trees and sometimes as ornamentals.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e890
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=psme
• http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=105
• http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/psemenm/all.html
• http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/pseudotsuga/menziesii.htm
• http://www.conifers.org/pi/Pseudotsuga_menziesii.php
• http://www.arborday.org/treeguide/treeDetail.cfm?ID=44
• http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pseudotsuga+menziesii
• http://online.sfsu.edu/bholzman/courses/Fall00Projects/Douglas-fir.html
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/douglas_fir.htm
• http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/42429/0
• hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/…/psemena.pdf
• http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st526
• http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=6907
• http://www.nps.gov/brca/naturescience/douglasfir.htm
• http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200005380
• http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?30191
• https://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/gymnosperms/psemen01.htm
• https://www.usanpn.org/nn/Pseudotsuga_menziesii

var. menziesii

A mature cone slightly closed post rain

Foliage of var. glauca

 

Multiple cones and foliage

A fairly thinly branched var. glauca

A mature, opening cone

A cone, with the bracts and “mice tails” very visible

A larger var. glauca Douglas-fir next to a young var. menziesii (to the right)

The bark post rain

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Opuntia compressa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus) [sometimes Opuntia numifusa)

Cold hardy to USDA zone 4, the Eastern Prickly Pear a moderately small cactus that acts similar to a ground cover. The flowers are bright yellow and occur in early summer. Like other succulents, they require full sun, dry soils, and excellent drainage.

Opuntia compressa (Eastern Prickly Pear, Prickly-Pear Cactus) [sometimes Opuntia numifusa]
Deciduous: No, the stems (“pads”) lie down in winter and enter dormancy, however.
Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Height: 15-35 centimeters (6-14 inches) tall
Diameter: 30-45 centimeters (12-18 inches) across
Growth Rate: fast
Age: perennial
Root System: shallow, fibrous
Family: Cactaceae
Subspecies: none

Tolerates: herbivores (rabbits, deer), drought, strong winds
Problems (major): In poorly drained or inadequete soils, root rot, stem rot, and other forms of fatal rotting occur.
Problems (minor): few
Poisonous: presumably no

Soil requirements: prefers dry sandy/gravelly soils with good drainage (grows in very well-drained clay/heavy soils with any acidity/pH)
Air requirements: not sufficiently researched
Watering requirement: low/dry
Sun requirement: requires full sun

Primary photosynthetic organ: stems
Stem structure: rounded, flat, light green, oval-shaped, sometimes called “pads”, up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) wide, have several bristles (called “glochids”)
Leaf shape: spiky/spiny
Rosette: no
Reproduction by offsets: yes
Monoecious or dioecious: monoecious
Monocot or dicot: dicot
Flower structure: yellow, to 8 centimeters (3 inches) in diameter, stigmas in the center surrounded by many stamens, up to 12 petals (sometimes called “rays”), sometimes with a red center (known as an “eye”)
Flowering frequency: June to July
Fruits: red, to 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter, edible

Notable characteristics:
These are easily propagated vegetatively by cuttings.

Uses:
O. compressa are sometimes used as groundcover. Some are naturally found in desert, prairie, or forest areas.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=y400
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ophu
• http://uipress.lib.uiowa.edu/ppi/display.php?record=Opuntia_compressa
• http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Opuntia+compressa
• http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/cactus/opuhum/all.html

A large group of O. compressa

A close-up of a flower and some bristles

Flowering structures

Close-up of a flower

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.

Cattleya labiata (Corsage Orchid, Queen of Orchids)

Native to Central and Southern America, Corsage Orchids produce showy purple flowers with yellow centers that persist up to 8 weeks. They are rhizomatous, occasionally dividing under adequate conditions. These monocots require fairly high (fifty percent, 50%) humidity and loose soils (or some equivalent) to survive.

Cattleya labiata (Corsage Orchid, Queen of Orchids)
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 10-12
Height: 7-60 centimeters (3-24 inches) tall
Diameter: 7-60 centimeters (3-24 inches) wide
Growth Rate: slow to moderate, mostly occurs in spring
Age: perennial
Root System: aerial, thick, fleshy, wrap around substrates if not grown in soil, covered with a water-retentive material (likely a cuticle)
Family: Orchidaceae
Subspecies: var. dowiana, var. aurea, and thousands others

Tolerates: some shade
Problems (major): picky growing requirements
Problems (minor): slugs, snails, thrips, scale, mealy bug (use probisci to drain nutrients from the stems, eventually killing plants if not detected), spider mites
Poisonous: non-toxic to cats and dogs

Soil requirements: prefers specific epiphytic orchid soil mixes or coarse redwood or fir bark
Air requirements: prefers good air circulation (epiphytic) roots
Watering requirement: moderate, add tepid water in the morning, allow to dry out before watering again
Sun requirement: partial shade (performs best in east window sills and eastern/southern window sills with shade)

Leaf size: a singular, large leaf per plant (sometimes appear as many due to division of pseudobulbs (stems from rhizomes))
Leaf shape: arise from pseudobulbs (stems which store water and food), oblong or obovate, dull green
Flowering frequency: year-round indoors
Flower color(s): all except blue, primarily purple with some yellow
Flower gimmick: none
Flower spike: naked stems
Petals/Sepals: large, showy, yellow/cream/white to light/medium purple, sepals somewhat rectangular, petals ruffled
Lip/Column: very ruffled, yellow at the center
Stigma/Anthers: located deep inside the column (in the lip), under the anther cap
Epiphyte: yes (sometimes “lithophytes”, which grow on rocks instead of trees or some equivalent)
Roots: aerial, fleshy, rhizomatous
Daytime temperature: 21-29 degrees Celsius (70-85 degrees Fahrenheit)
Nighttime temperature: 12-16 degrees Celsius (55-60 degrees Fahrenheit)

Notable characteristics:
The flowers have light purple/pink petals and sepals with a dark purple lip and a yellow anther cap.

Uses:
These are usually grown in greenhouses or in homes for aesthetic appeal.

Sources used:

• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CALA82
• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=264587&isprofile=1&basic=orchid
• http://www.ctu.edu.vn/~dvxe/Hoa%20Lan/Doc%20on%20web/Orchid%20Anatomy.htm
• https://www.aos.org/Default.aspx?id=443
• http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~tomnz/catframes/cat.htm
• http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/cattleya-labiata

Corsage Orchids at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Corsage Orchids at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s greenhouses

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is
appropriately cited first.

Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant)

Known as the Prayer Plant because it folds its leaves in the evening (in a fashion similar to one praying), M. leuconeura is a slow-growing, rhizomatous perennial that grows well in homes. Like African Violets, they prefer high humidity, partial shade, and well-drained soils.

Maranta leuconeura (Prayer Plant)
Deciduous: no
Hardiness Zones: 11-12
Height: 15-30 centimeters (6-12 inches) tall
Diameter: 15-30 centimeters (6-12 inches) across
Growth Rate: slow
Age: perennial
Root System: rhizomatous
Family: Marantaceae
Subspecies: ‘Erythroneura’, ‘Fascinator’, ‘Kerchoveana’, ‘Massangeana’

Tolerates: shade
Problems (major): nematodes, spider mites, slugs
Problems (minor): mealybugs, root rot (poorly drained soils), leaf spot, leaf scald (too much sun)
Poisonous: nontoxic

Soil requirements: requires moist, fairly nutrient-rich, well-drained soils, tolerates medium/loamy, heavy/clay, acidic soils
Air requirements: prefers high humidity
Watering requirement: moderate
Sun requirement: part-shade

Leaf shape: ovular, green with red veins/stripes, alternate
Leaf size: up to 13 centimeters (5 inches) long
Stem: thick, green
Flowering structure: flower spikes with two-lipped, white flowers
Flowering frequency: infrequent indoors
Fruits: inconspicuous, hard, brown
Bulb/Corm: rhizome

Notable characteristics:
The leaves close or fold up in the evening, which somewhat resembles praying.

Uses:
These are sometimes used as house plants, as they need partial shade and grow slowly.

Sources used:

• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b604
• http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MALE7
• http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/folmaran.html
• http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/marleua.pdf
• http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/hotissues/safeandpoisonoushouseplants.html

 

Foliage

Foliage and flowers

Another variety with different foliage

Another variety with red stripes on its foliage and flowers

All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is
appropriately cited first.