Plant of the Week

[Tum-thalas]

Welcome to Plant of the Week!!

Every week we will add another fascinating plant and give you some general information. In order to make this topic most interesting to everyone, we hope to choose plants that fit into any of these categories:

Flowers
Garden Plants
Houseplants
Trees/Shrubs
Ferns and Fern Allies
Botanist's Bizzare Favorites

In short, we will try to have a mix to accurately represent the plant world.

*This is a site of information only, please make any comments concerning the Plant of the Week within the general FaFA forum.*

If you wish to suggest a plant for Plant of the Week, please send a message to the Guild's Official Profile Account: Fern Alli  

[Tum-thalas]

November 26- December 2, 2007

"Every Botanists’ Dream to See"
Welwitschia mirabilis
Pronounced (well-wit-she-a)

Named by Hooker 1863
Common names: Tree tumbo, tumboa

This relation to pine trees (Pinophyta) looks nothing like a pine. It is a dioecious perennial plant with a short woody stem and a very long taproot. The plant has only two strap-shaped leaves that grow throughout the life of the plant. They become twisted and frayed and often grow so long that they form floppy piles on the ground. Welwitschia does produce pollen and seed cones (like its pine relations) but only one seed develops in each cone. The tree tumbo can be found only in the Namib Desert of southwestern Africa. Like other desert plants (cacti and succulents) Welwitschia performs CAM photosynthesis and obtains most of its moisture from dense fog given off by the ocean. This plant is believed to live anywhere from 500 to 1000 years.







Weird, isn't it!!  

[Fern Alli]

December 3- December 9, 2007

"Finding the right tree is very important"
Abies concolor

Named by: (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr.




Common Name: White Fir, Silver Fir, Colorado Fir
Often used for lumber, papermaking, and Christmas trees, these members of the family Pinaceae sport flattened needles that are 2-3 inches long, silvery blue to silvery green, and quite soft to the touch. Breaking the needles will give off a citrus smell. Cones can be 2-5 inches long and the bark is ashy gray.


These trees can grow up to 100 feet tall. The White Fir can be found in many western regions of the United States but it is the only fir native to the North American Taiga (Alaska, Canada).
Try checking for grouse, squirrels, and porcupines under or in these trees as it is a preferred source of seeds and roosting sites!  

[Tum-thalas]

December 31, 2007 – January 6, 2008

Chinodoxa luciliae



Common name: Glory of the snow

Originally from Turkey, this low-growing plant blooms from late winter to early spring. It is 3- 6 inches in size and can have flower colors of pink, blue, blue-violet, and white lasting 3-4 weeks. Normally bulbs are planted in the autumn; the plant will continue seeding itself. Typical of early appearing plants, the foliage will disappear quickly after flowering.


There are only six species in the genus Chinodoxa and all are considered excellent garden plants. They are related to the hyacinth. Other species may produce a large number of blossoms that C. luciliae. Other species include: C. forbesii, C. sardensis.

Some sources stated that parts of this plant are poisonous if eaten but there is no explanation as to which parts or how toxic. It was challenging to find botanical information about this plant. Though it is readily available at most gardening sites.

C. sardensis  

[Tum-thalas]

January 7- January 13, 2008

“Urbeth’s Beloved”

Adiantum pedatum


Common name: Northern Maidenhair fern

Found in the fern family Pteridaceae, this is a remarkable and very recognizable plant. And now is an excellent time to talk about the parts of a fern frond (leaf).

The frond arises on an underground stem (rhizome) in a tightly curled ‘fiddlehead’ and it uncurls in a manner called circinate fernation on its stalk. The ‘midvein’ of the frond (the rachis) supports a number of leaflets (pinna). Some types of ferns will divide even further; each pinna will divide into many smaller leaflets (pinnule). Note as well that ferns do not produce seeds. They produce sacs on the underside of the frond that shed spores instead. These sacs are called sori (singular – sorus).



The circular or horseshoe-like flat fronds arise on shining black or dark brown stalks. The frond can reach a size of 16” by 10” and supports five or six divided pinna. Each pinnule has a distinct fan shape. The sori are round to linear and are on the upper margins of the pinnule.



The story behind the common name of this plant varies. Some sources claim that the fine roots that come off the rhizome look like hair and the plant itself can be used to treat baldness. It has also been said that the fan shape of the pinnules resembles the comb used in Asian countries by geishas (maidens). Another story suggests that the plant can be used to make a shampoo.
Such as the one atop this maiden's head.

Who knows where the name really did come from.
Perhaps this person?  

[Tum-thalas]

January 14- January 20, 2008

Lycopodium alopecuroides

Common name: Foxtail Clubmoss

Clubmosses are members of the “fern allies” but are absolutely not ferns or even moss. They belong to their own order, Lycopodiales, which is constantly rearranged. Leaves are scale-like and they reproduce by forming a sporangium (which produces spores) at the base of the leaves. An interesting historical note about these types of plants: “A powder known simply as lycopodium, consisting of dried spores of the common clubmoss, was used in Victorian theater to produce flame-effects. A blown cloud of spores burned rapidly and brightly, but with little heat. It was considered safe by the standards of the time”(Wikipedia).


Foxtail clubmoss is quite bushy and is almost evergreen. It normally grows in an arching form and can be recognized by its yellowish color in the wintertime. They prefer acidic damp soil, like bogs. They creep aross the surface of the soil and are about 10 inches tall. As you might expect from the name, they tip of the plant may be bushier than the rest.

 

[Tum-thalas]

January 21- January 27, 2008

Hedera helix

Common name: English Ivy, common ivy

Oh yes, it’s from England! Its frost hardy, it grows in shady spots, and it climbs and covers nearly everything possible. And there are varieties galore. Ivy is an amazing woody-stemmed climbers that can be grown in containers or let loose upon your garden fence. And if you desire some animal shaped topiary, this may just be your plant. English ivy does produce small green flowers and eventually black berries, but if you prune regularly you will avoid them.

There are way too many variations in leaf shape to give you just one. Several varieties are variegated. Here’s a few:
‘Atropurpurea’

‘Baltica’
‘Buttercup’

‘Erecta’
‘Glacier’
‘Goldheart’
‘Ivalace’
‘Manda’s Crested’
‘Pedata’
‘Pittsburgh’
‘Silver Queen’  

[Tum-thalas]

January 28- February 3, 2008
Aloe vera

Common name: Medicinal aloe, Burn plant

Originally native to Africa, this is a plant that I’m sure you are familiar with. Succulent with thick fleshy green (and tooth-edged) these plants can grow up to 100 cm tall. Flowers are yellow and developed on a tall (90 cm) spike. They like sandy soil and moderate light and can be very easily grown in frost-free environments. If in a pot, they like to dry out before waterings.

Let’s talk about uses! I’m sure that at one time or another you have slathered some goo upon your sunburned nose that contained aloe vera. Yes, proof that syrupy leaf juice is wonderful after all. It has been actually proven to help heal burns. And then there’s the stunning array of soaps, lotions, and makeup that list this plant as an ingredient. Aloe vera juice is supposed to help some ulcer issues.
Mmm...(yeah, I'm not real sure about how good it would taste.)