Tillandsia usneoides

Tillandsia usneoides
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Spanish Moss, actually Tillandisia unsneoides, is a true epiphyte found wild in the US from New Jersey to Texas. Here are pictured the small flowers. The moss gathers moisture from the air making roots unnecessary.

Phalaenopsis orchid (white)

Commonly called "moth orchids", Phalaenopsis are among the easiest of the orchids to grow. They tolerate low light and produce many long lasting flowers. As the blooms fade, the stalk should be cut just below where the first bloom occurred to produce branching and additional blooms.

Phalaenopsis Sonata Spots

This Phalaenopsis orchid is easy to care for if given low light, warm temperatures and high humidity.

Oncidium orchid

Oncidium orchids vary in appearance depending on the species. Some, the equitant Oncidiums, have small, three sided leaves. Aother type, the "mule's ear" Oncidiums, have thick, oval leaves. The orchid pictured here is the type of Oncidium having pseudobulbs, thin leaves and long branches of inflorescences.

Phalaenopsis "Brother Golden Ember's orchid"

This "Moth orchid" member of the Orchidaceae familiy has beautiful blooms of yellow with maroon markings and a scarlet lip.

Clivia miniata close up

Clivia miniata
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

This is a close shot of the flower of Clivia miniata.

Clivia miniata

Clivia miniata is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is a cultivar of the Natal native Kafir lily. These plants flower in the spring but must be extremely pot-bound in order to do so. The bases of the leaves in the Clivia expand to form imperfect bulbs.

Ficus carica

Ficus carica
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Ficus carica is a member of the Moraceae family. It produces edible purplish figs, beginning as small green globes prior to ripening. These fruit types are syconium, which are unique to the ficus. Once soft to the touch, the fig can be picked and eaten it its entirety. If white pulp is mixed with the pink inside the fig, it was picked a bit too soon and won't be as sweet.

Epidendrum ciliare

Epidendrum ciliare
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

The bloom of the Epidendrum Ciliare appears in the winter months. Native to Mexico and the West Indies, the Epidendrum grows as pseudobulbs from shizomes.

Cyclamen persicum

Cyclamen persicum
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

This pink flowering Cyclamen is a showy member of the Primulaceae family, native to Greece and the Mediterranean islands. The summer is this plants season of rest, during which reduced water will result in the necessary leaf drop.

Calliandra emarginata closeup

Calliandra emarginata closeup
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

This is a close-up photo of the inflorescence on the Calliandra emarginata.

Calliandra emarginata

Calliandra emarginata
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Calliandra emarginata is a member of the Leguminosae family. The "miniature powder puff", as it is called, has inflorescence that, when pollinated, produce beans.

Euphorbia milii

Euphorbia milii
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

This yellow-flowering "Crown of thorns" is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family which originates in Madagascar.

Brighamia

Brighamia citrina, once thought to be a member of the Lobeliaceae family, is now identified as belonging to the Campanulaceae family. This change was made due to the pollen being ready before the stigma is viable, as is true of the Campanulaceae group.

Bromeliad flower close-up

Bromeliad
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Here is a close-up shot of a Bromeliad in full bloom.

Haworthia subfasciata

Originating in So. Africa, the "Little zebra plant" is a succulent member of the Liliaceae family. Leaves are dark green and cross-banded with rows of white tubercles. Flowers are in a sparse raceme.

Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus is a member of the Gesneriaceae family and is also known as "Cape primrose".

Cyclamen persicum

Cyclamen persicum is from the Primulacea family and originates in Greece to Syria. It has hard tuberous roots, heart-shaped, silver-patterned leaves with flowers coming in a variety of colors.

Calliandra haematocephala

Calliandra haematocephala, or "Pink powder-puff", is native to So. Brazil and is a member of the Leguminosae family. Known for its crimson stamens, this plant blooms from December to April.
Donated by Del Nickerson of Wellesley College.

Stapelia

Stapelia
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Stapelia is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family. This species has very small flowers compared to that of others, some blooming to a size of 40 cm across. Having flies as pollinators, the flowers give off the odor of rotting meat.

Stapelia closeup

Stapelia closeup
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Here is a close-up of the flower of Stapelia.

Coleus

Coleus is a member of the Labiatae family and is known for its colorful foliage. Flowers are frequently removed to keep the foliage brilliant. Pinching is required to keep plants bushy.

Cymbidium 'Flirtation' (yellow)

Cymbidium orchids (Orchidaceae family) come in standard and miniature (pictured here) groups. Standards need cool conditions while miniatures will tolerate a bit more heat. Both are suited to greenhouse growth due to high light needs. Semiterrestrial nature allows them to be kept more moist than other orchids.

Bromeliad

Bromeliads can be epiphytic or terrestrial and are characterized by vase-like centers naturally formed by their foliage. Water is collected and stored for use by the plant. After flowering, the plant will send out suckers which can be removed and rooted in moist sphagnum peat moss.

Ceropegia debilis

A member of the Asclepiadaceae family, Ceropegia debilis originates in Rhodesia, Zambi, and Malawi. The narrow succulent leaves lends the common name of "Needle vine". Small inverted trumpet-like flowers appear year round.

Gibasis geniculata

A member of the Commelinaceae family, Gibasis geniculata is commonly known as "Tahitian bridal veil". This plants originates in Tropical America and has green leaves with purplish backs and tiny white flowers.

Peperomia rubella

Peperomia rubella, a member of the Piperaceae family, orginates in Mexico and Orizaba. Although at first glance as dissimilar to other Peperomias, the tiny "rat tail" structures bearing the bi-sexual flowers are an immediate clue to Piperaceae affiliation.

Asclepias curassavica

Asclepias curassavica, from Tropical America, is known commonly as "Blood-flower" or "Yellow blood-flower", depending on the color of the inflorescence. This tropical member of the Asclepiadaceae family is one of the many "Milkweeds" which bloom from June to September.
Donated by Professor Scott Shumway.

Pelargonium

Pelargonium or Geranium is a member of the Geraniaceae family and are subtropical herbs from semi-arid areas of South Africa.

Peperomia obtusifolia

"Baby rubber plant", as this member of the Piperaceae is known, has bisexual flowers borne on catkin-like spikes.

Pilea depressa

Originating in Puerto Rico, Pilea depressa belongs to the Urticaceae family. This "Miniature peperomia" creeps along the soil, sending out new roots at the nodes. Flowers are greenish and insignificant.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Regius Maximus'

Orginating in India to China, this "Chinese hibiscus" has single scarlet flowers, with a blackish center. The long staminal column has golden anthers.

Begonia coccinea

Begonia coccinea or "Angelwing begonia" is a member of the Begoniaceae family which blooms consistently.

Adromischus cristatus

A So. African succulent member of the Crassulaceae family, Adromischus has red hair-like aerial roots and wedge shaped leaves. Flowers are tubular.

Catharanthus roseus_closeup

A closeup of Catharanthus flowers.

Spathiphyllum 'Clevelandii' (kochii)

Spathiphyllum 'Clevelandii' (kochii), commonly called "White flag" or "Peace lily", is a member of the Araceae family. A shade lover that only needs water when foliage begins to wilt makes this plant a favorite of beginner. The ease of care is the reason that Spathiphyllum is frequently found in shopping mall displays where regular care can be infrequent. Flowers appear as a papery spathe containing the white spadex.

Spathiphyllum clevelandaii closeup

This is the white spathe on a Spathiphyllum surrounding the club-shaped spadix. The spadix is covered with minute flowers which set seed when pollinated.

Euphorbia splendens

The Spurge or Euphorbiaceae family claims the "Crown of thorns" as a member. A native of Western Madagascar, this spiny shrub has blooms of salmon-red which form in the spring.

Breynia nivosa roseo-picta (phyllanthus)

A member of the Euphorbiaceae family, the Breynia or "Snow bush" as it is commonly called, originated in the South Sea islands. The small, green flowers can be easily missed amongst the variegated white and green leaves.

Begonia semperflorens 'Luminosa'

Begonia semperflorens 'Luminosa' is also known as "Wax bedding begoinia". The green, waxy leaves will turn red if grown in the sun.

Ceropegia woodii

Originating in Rhodesia, Transvaal and Natal, Ceropegia woodii or "Rosary vine" is so nicknamed for the small gray tubers that form on the vine's internodes. Purple flowers are lantern shaped, although small and easily missed amoung the heart-shaped bluish leaves. Well-drained soil and a few hours of sun per day will keep this plant healthy and vigorous. Ceropegia is a member of the Asclepiadaceae or Milkweed family.

Peperomia scandens variegata

Peperomia scandens 'Variegata', also known as "Variegated philodendron leaf", is a member of the Piperaceae family. A hanging variety of Peperomia, this plant has the characteristic rat-tail structure which bear the flowers.

Spathiphyllum 'Clevelandii'(kochii)

Spathiphyllum 'Clevelandii' (kochii), commonly called "White flag" or "Peace lily", is a member of the Araceae family. A shade lover that only needs water when foliage begins to wilt makes this plant a favorite of beginner. The ease of care is the reason that Spathiphyllum is frequently found in shopping mall displays where regular care can be infrequent. Flowers appear as a papery spathe containing the white spadex.

Catharanthus roseus "Madagascar Periwinkle"

Catharanthus roseus or "Madagascar Periwinke" or "Vinca rosea" is in the Apocynaceae family. The plant is a natural source of a cure for Hodgin's Disease. It is best grown in the greenhouse environment if out of its natural habitat of Java to Brazil. Full sun, warmth and even moisture will keep this plant healthy and in bloom for 10 months per year.

Oncidium orchid

Oncidium orchid
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

The Oncidium orchid genus is made up of over 500 species, one of which is pictured here.