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Showing posts with label Plants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plants. Show all posts

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Populus

                 Populus is a genus of 25–35 species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. English names variously applied to different species include poplar, aspen, and cottonwood. The genus has a large genetic diversity, and can grow from anywhere between 15–50 m (50 to 165 ft) tall, with trunks of up to 2.5 m (8 ft) diameter. 
                 The genus Populus has traditionally been divided into six sections on the basis of leaf and flower characters. These are: Populus section Populus – aspens and White Poplar, Populus section Aigeiros – black poplars, some of the cottonwoods, Populus section Tacamahaca – balsam poplars, Populus section Leucoides – necklace poplars or bigleaf poplars, Populus section Turanga – subtropical poplars, Populus section Abaso – Mexican poplars.

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aspen aspen Cottonwood Cottonwood

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Olive tree

               The olive tree (Olea europaea) is a species of small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iraq, and northern Iran at the south of the Caspian Sea. Olives like hot weather, and temperatures below −10 °C (14 °F) may injure even a mature tree. They tolerate drought well, thanks to their sturdy and extensive root system. Olive trees can live for several millennia. Olives grow very slowly, and over many years the trunk can attain a considerable diameter. The trees rarely exceed 15 metres (49 ft) in height, and are generally confined to much more limited dimensions by frequent pruning. 
                There are six natural subspecies of Olive tree: Olea europaea subsp. europaea, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Olea europaea subsp. guanchica, Olea europaea subsp. cerasiformis, Olea europaea subsp. maroccana, Olea europaea subsp. laperrinei.

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Olive tree Olive tree Olive tree Olive tree

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Opuntia cactus

               Opuntia also known as nopales or paddle cactus, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently, only prickly pears are included in this genus of about 200 species distributed throughout most of the Americas. The coat of arms of Mexico depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon an Opuntia cactus, devouring a rattlesnake. Prickly pears typically grow with flat, rounded cladodes (also called platyclades) that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike prickles called glochids, that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pears grow into dense, tangled structures. 
               Main species of Opuntia are: Opuntia aciculata (Chenille Prickly Pear), Opuntia aurantiaca, Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail cactus), Opuntia chaffeyi, Opuntia chlorotica, Opuntia compressa, Opuntia echinocarpa, Opuntia echios, Opuntia engelmannii (Engelmann's Prickly Pear), Opuntia ficus-indica (Indian Fig Opuntia), Opuntia fragilis (Little Prickly Pear), Opuntia gosseliniana (Violet Prickly Pear), Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear), Opuntia leucotricha (Arborescent Prickly Pear), Opuntia littoralis (Coastal Prickly Pear), Opuntia macrocentra (Black-spine Prickly Pear), Opuntia matudae (xoconostle), Opuntia microdasys (Bunny ears cactus), Opuntia monacantha (Common Prickly Pear), Opuntia phaeacantha (Tulip Prickly Pear), Opuntia stricta (Erect Prickly Pear). 

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Opuntia Opuntia Opuntia Opuntia dillenii

Friday, April 26, 2013

Watermelon

              Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center.
              A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. Watermelon is mildly diuretic and contains large amounts of beta carotene. As with many other fruits, it is a source of vitamin C.  Watermelon rinds, usually a light green or white color, are also edible and contain many hidden nutrients, but most people avoid eating them due to their unappealing flavor. Watermelons have a longer growing period than other garden plants and can often take up to 85 days of growing to mature.

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Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Willow

             Willows (salix) found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. 
             Willows all have abundant watery bark sap, which is heavily charged with salicylic acid, soft, usually pliant, tough wood, slender branches, and large, fibrous, often stoloniferous roots. The roots are remarkable for their toughness, size, and tenacity to life, and roots readily grow from aerial parts of the plant. 
             Willows are dioecious, with male and female flowers appearing as catkins on different plants; the catkins are produced early in the spring, often before the leaves, or as the new leaves open.

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Willow Willow Willow Willow

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Moss

               Mosses are a botanical division (phylum) of small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm (0.4–4 in) tall, though some species are much larger, like Dawsonia, the tallest moss in the world which can grow to 50 cm in height. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. 
               They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems. It is generally believed that in northern latitudes, the north side of trees and rocks will generally have more luxuriant moss growth on average than other sides. This is assumed to be because the sun on the south side creates a dry environment. South of the equator the reverse would be true.

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Moss Moss Moss Moss

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Russula emetica

            Russula emetica (the sickener, emetic russula, vomiting russula) is a basidiomycete mushroom, and the type species of the genus Russula. It has a red, convex to flat cap up to 8.5 cm (3.3 in) in diameter, with a cuticle that can be peeled off almost to the centre. The gills are white to pale cream, and closely spaced. A smooth white stem measures up to 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long and 2.4 cm (0.9 in) thick. Although most of the mushrooms prefer wet weather, it's a common occurrence that Russulas can be found when it's very dry, and there aren't many other mushrooms around.
            As its name implies, the sickener is inedible, though not as dangerous as sometimes described in older mushroom guides. The symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal in nature: nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and colicky abdominal cramps.

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Russula emetica Russula emetica Russula emetica Russula emetica

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Garlic

              Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. With a history of human use of over 7,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
              Garlic is widely used around the world for its pungent flavor as a seasoning or condiment. The garlic plant's bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant. Other parts of the garlic plant are also edible. The leaves and flowers (bulbils) on the head (spathe) are sometimes eaten. Garlic is a fundamental component in many or most dishes of various regions, including eastern Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, northern Africa, southern Europe, and parts of South and Central America. 

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Garlic Garlic Garlic Garlic

Monday, March 25, 2013

Lilies

               Lilies (Lilium) is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. Lilies are an important group of flowering plants and are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the temperate northern hemisphere, though their range extends into the northern subtropics. Lilies are tall perennials ranging in height from 2–6 ft (60–180 cm). They form naked or tunicless scaly underground bulbs which are their overwintering organs. The flowers are large, often fragrant, and come in a range of colours including whites, yellows, oranges, pinks, reds and purples. 
                Lilies are classified in the following broad groups: Asiatic hybrids, Martagon hybrid, Candidum hybrids, American hybrids, Longiflorum hybrids, Trumpet lilies, Oriental hybrids, Other hybrids, Natural species.

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Lilies Lilies Lilies Lilies

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Lettuce

              Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the aster or sunflower family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce was first cultivated by the ancient Egyptians who turned it from a weed, whose seeds were used to produce oil, into a plant grown for its leaves. 
              Lettuce's native range spreads from the Mediterranean to Siberia, although it has been transported to almost all areas of the world. Plants generally have a height and spread of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm). The leaves are colorful, mainly in the green and red color spectrums, with some variegated varieties. There are also a few varieties with yellow, gold or blue-teal leaves.

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Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Cabbage

               Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a leafy green biennial, grown as an annual vegetable for its dense-leaved heads. Closely related to other cole crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, it descends from B. oleracea var. oleracea, a wild field cabbage.  
               Cabbage is used in many ways, ranging from eating raw and simple steaming to pickling, stewing, sauteing or braising. Pickling is one of the most popular ways of preserving cabbage, creating dishes such as sauerkraut and kimchee. Cabbage is a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber. It is a cruciferous vegetable, and has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers, especially those in the colorectal group.

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Cabbage Cabbage Cabbage Cabbage

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Bamboo tree

               Bamboo (Bambuseae) is a tribe of flowering perennial evergreen plants in the grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Bamboo species are found in diverse climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. They occur across East Asia, from 50°N latitude in Sakhalin[citation needed] through to Northern Australia, and west to India and the Himalayas. They also occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Americas from the mid-Atlantic United States south to Argentina and Chile, reaching their southernmost point anywhere, at 47°S latitude. 
                Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. In bamboos, the internodal regions of the stem are hollow and the vascular bundles in the cross section are scattered throughout the stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, with reported growth rates of 100 cm (39 in) in 24 hours.

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Bamboo tree Bamboo tree Bamboo tree Bamboo tree

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Peony

            Peony (Paeonia) is a genus of flowering plants, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America. 
            Main species are: Paeonia brownii (Brown's peony), Paeonia californica (California peony), Paeonia cambessedesii (Majorcan peony), Paeonia japonica (Japanese peony), Paeonia kesrouanensis (Keserwan peony), Paeonia lactiflora (Chinese peony), Paeonia mascula (Balkan peony), Paeonia mlokosewitschii (golden peony), Paeonia officinalis (European peony), Paeonia parnassica (Greek peony), Paeonia veitchii (Veitch's peony), Paeonia delavayi (Delavay's tree peony), Paeonia jishanensis (Jishan peony), Paeonia ludlowii (Ludlow's tree peony), Paeonia ostii (Osti's peony), Paeonia qiui (Qiu's peony), Paeonia rockii (Rock's peony), Paeonia suffruticosa (Chinese tree peony).

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Peony Peony Peony Peony