What's new

Link of the Month

Did you know that Fish mint (Houttuynia cordata) gets its name from its distinctly fishy, raw aroma and its fast, aggressive growing habits that mimic true mint, despite not belonging to the mint family?

Fish Mint - Houttuynia cordata

Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint, fish leaf, rainbow plant, chameleon plant, heart leaf, fish wort, or Chinese lizard tail, is one of two species in the genus Houttuynia (the other being H. emeiensis). It is a flowering perennial plant, in the Saururaceae (Lizard's Tail) family, native to Southeast Asia. It grows in moist, shady locations.

Houttuynia cordata is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant that can grow to 0.6–1 m, spreading up to 1 m. It spreads indefinitely and often vigorously by rhizomes. The proximal part of the stem is trailing and produces adventitious roots, while the distal part of the stem grows vertically.

The stems are green or sometimes purplish red, and either smooth or pubescent on the nodes. The lower parts of the leaf stalks form a sheath round the stem.

Species plants feature alternate ovate to cordate dark blue-green leaves (4–9 cm long and 3–8 cm broad) edged with red.  Foliage is aromatic when bruised.

Its flowers are greenish-yellow and borne on a terminal spike 2–3 cm long with four to six large petal-like white basal bracts. It normally blooms in the summer. The stamens usually degenerate, and the fruits are apomictic, i.e. they develop seeds without being fertilized. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).

Research

The Bottle Gourd is one of the oldest know cultivated plant and has been used by man for both functional and decorative objects all over the world throughout history and is believed to have spanned the entire globe in prehistoric times. It was known mostly by cultures in temperate and tropical zones because this is where gourd grow best. Today Bottle Gourd is still considered one of nature's greatest gifts to mankind. Click on the image.

Herbs

Mediterranean herbs

The very first ancient documents about plants (Babylonian souces, the Old Testament, Homers's works) that came down on us regarded plants mainly under the aspects of utility and medicinal use.  No one knows when herbs were first collected in the wild or planted in gardens, but Egyptian records dating back to 2800 BC show herbs were being prescribed as medicine, and being used for food, cosmetics, perfumes, and dyes. It's obvious that Μediteranean region is the place in which the sience of botany was born. For that reason mediterranean herbs takes an extremely important part in the history of botany. Click on the image.

Home and Garden - Plants for your home

Gardenia

A favorite shrub, the gardenia has very fragrant creamy-white flowers and glossy, dark-green leaves. The genus Gardenia is believed to have been named after Alexander Garden, a physician in Charleston, South Carolina, during colonial days. Gardenias are a member of the family Rubiaceae and belong to the genus Gardenia. There are over 200 species of Gardenias. One species is of primary importance: Gardenia jasminoides containing many cultivars.Gardenia jasminoides is native to China although most named cultivars have arisen in cultivation. Click on the image.

Flower Recipes

Yes, flowers can be eaten! They can also be candied, frozen into ice rings, made into jelly and jams, and made into flower waters! It's true, that it is not for the ordinary, but it is fun for that special event or celebration party! We will start this section with a variety of things you can do with particuliar flowers, and then follow with a list of flowers than can be devoured! Click on the image.

Save money for flowers on a wedding decoration

Anyone who has ever itemized the cost of a wedding knows the flower bill can go through the roof. A fancy bouquet for the bride can run as much as a wedding ring but it's not enough. By the time you add bouquets for the bridesmaids, flower baskets for the flower girls, corsages for the mothers, boutonnieres for the men, centerpieces for the banquet and gift tables and a bouquet to toss to single girlfriends, the tab can easily soar too high. Click on the image.

Send flowers via internet