Wheaton College Greenhouse

white and yellow flowering Lithops

2011-10-31T14:50:00.002-04:00

white and yellow flowering Lithops, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

Lithops, or "Living stones" as they are known commonly, are members of the Aizoaceae family. Originating in South Africa, these succulents come equipped with solar panels on the surface of the modified leaves that trap the solar energy needed to sustain life.

Passiflora biflora closeup

2011-10-18T11:48:00.002-04:00

Passiflora biflora closeup, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

Here is a closeup of the Passiflora biflora in bloom.

Passiflora biflora

2011-10-17T11:37:00.002-04:00

A member of the Passifloraceae family, Passiflora biflora is a native of Guate-Guate.

Hydrocotyle

2011-09-28T13:30:00.002-04:00

Hydrocotyle, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

Hydrocotyle originates in Tropical Asia and Africa. A member of the Umbelliferae family, it is commonly known as "Water penny wort" and is a dwarf amphibious herb. The small white flowers are pictured here.

Streptocarpus

2011-09-28T13:27:00.002-04:00

Streptocarpus, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

A member of the Gesneriaceae family, the "Cape primrose" is a native to Africa.

Peperomia scadens 'Variegata"

2011-09-28T13:25:00.002-04:00

Peperomia scadens 'Variegata", a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

Commonly known as "Variegated philodendron leaf", this member of the Piperaceae family is a hanging variety that sports large rat-tail inflorescence.

Begonia semperflorens, white

2011-09-28T13:23:00.002-04:00

Begonia semperflorens white, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

A member of the Begoniaceae family and commonly called "Wax begonia", this species has white flowers and succulent stems.

Pelargonium, red

2011-09-28T13:20:00.002-04:00

Pelargonium, red, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

Commonly known as geraniums, the Pelargonium is a member of the Geraniaceae family. South Africa is the country of origin for these colorful bedding plants.

Peperomia rubella

2011-09-28T13:18:00.002-04:00

Peperomia rubella, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

Originating in Mexico, this member of the Piperaceae family has whorls of tiny leaves and small rat-tail inflorescence, pictured here.

Coleus

2011-09-28T13:14:00.002-04:00

Coleus, a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

A member of the Labiatae family, the blooms on Coleus are often removed to keep the foliage colorful and strong. Pictured here is the inflorescence of the Colues, a plant that originates in Java.

Breynia nivosa roseo-picta

2011-09-28T13:10:00.002-04:00

Breynia , a photo by Jane Young on Flickr.

A member of the Euphorbiaceae family, this plant has a color form called "Leaf flower". This picture, however, shows the true inflorescence. Known as "Snowbush", this plant is native to the South Sea Islands.

Gibasis geniculata

2011-09-23T13:16:00.000-04:00

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.

Brighamia

2011-09-22T11:54:00.001-04:00

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.

Oxalis regnellii

2011-09-22T11:46:00.000-04:00

"Rubra alba", or Oxalis, of the Oxalidaceae family, is from South America. The three-segmented leaves have straight-lined apices. Growing from tuberculate rhizomes, the plant flowers freely.

Begonia x 'Bow-Arriola'

2011-09-22T11:31:00.000-04:00

Begonia x 'Bow-Arriola' is a stiking member of the Begoniaceae family having a rhizomatous root formation. Propagation can be done from a single leaf laid flat on moist perlite until a new crown is formed.
Donated by Jane Farquhar.

Pinwheel geranium

2009-11-12T11:54:00.002-05:00

Pinwheel geranium
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

Close up of a Pinwheel geranium flower. This plant is a member of the Geraniaceae family.

Hoya carnosa

2009-11-02T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hoya, or "Wax plant" as it is commonly known, is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family or Milkweed family. Flowers are pinkish white with a red cental crown. They are fragrant and should not be removed after they pass as new blooms appear on old spurs, year after year.

Dichorisandra thyrsiflora

2009-09-13T10:19:00.000-04:00

"Blue ginger", as this native of Brazil is called, is a member of the Commelinaceae family. It is a herbaceous plant with deep blue flowers and yellow anthers.

Capsicum annuum conoides

2009-09-11T12:50:00.000-04:00

Capsicum annuum conoides is also called "Christmas pepper". A member of the Solanaceae family, the small white flowers develop into ornamental yellow fruit which turn to bright red when ripe. If kept watered and in a sunny location, this plant will continue to flower and produce fruit year after year.

Hoya carnosa (in bloom)

2009-09-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

Blooms of Hoya carnosa almost appear to be made of wax, hense the common name of "Wax plant".

Clerodendrum

2009-09-11T01:20:00.000-04:00

Clerodendrum thomsonae, also called "Bleeding-heart vine", has quilted, papery leaves. The flowers have an inflated calyx and a red corolla. This plant is a member of the Verbenaceae family and originates in Tropical West Africa and the Congo.

Ornithogalum caudatum

2009-09-09T15:17:00.000-04:00

Flowers of Ornithogalum (Liliaceae family) are white with a green median stripe.

Phalaenopsis Sonata Spots

2009-01-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

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

Calliandra emarginata closeup

2008-10-17T11:12:00.002-04:00

Calliandra emarginata closeup
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

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

Calliandra emarginata

2008-10-17T11:11:00.002-04:00

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.

Streptocarpus

2008-08-29T10:03:00.001-04:00

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

Calliandra haematocephala

2008-01-31T11:13:00.000-05:00

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

2007-10-25T14:05:00.001-04:00

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

2007-10-25T13:49:00.001-04:00

Stapelia closeup
Originally uploaded by Jane Young

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

Coleus

2007-10-04T09:35:00.000-04:00

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.

Ceropegia debilis

2006-10-05T13:23:00.000-04:00

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.

Peperomia rubella

2006-10-05T13:13:00.000-04:00

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.

Pelargonium

2006-09-27T10:23:00.000-04:00

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

Peperomia obtusifolia

2005-11-21T10:40:00.000-05:00

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

Pilea depressa

2005-09-22T09:33:00.000-04:00

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.

Begonia coccinea

2005-09-12T09:54:00.000-04:00

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

Catharanthus roseus_closeup

2005-09-09T15:05:00.000-04:00

A closeup of Catharanthus flowers.

Spathiphyllum 'Clevelandii' (kochii)

2005-09-08T11:39:00.000-04:00

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

2005-09-08T11:27:00.000-04:00

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

2005-03-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

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)

2005-03-29T11:35:00.001-05:00

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'

2005-03-17T13:21:00.001-05:00

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

Ceropegia woodii

2005-03-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

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

2005-03-17T11:57:00.000-05:00

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)

2005-03-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

Catharanthus roseus "Madagascar Periwinkle"

2005-03-02T14:20:00.000-05:00

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.