Friday, April 3, 2009


Banana peel tree
31. Banana peel tree
(Original post here)
Recently learned: This is called Forsythia, also called Golden Bells. It is an integral part of an old children's game called "Rabbits" where children pretend the flowers are bananas. It is usually propagated with cuttings.
On to new things.
English Laurel
42. English Laurel
Already knew: This is a popular ornamental shrub that is frequently used as a privacy planting. It is related to the spice Bay, but not edible. These keep their leaves all year round. The flowers grow in a cone of white flowers in late spring.
Recently learned: Most of the plant is poisonous, but the cherries (small black fruits) are edible although not the seeds in the cherries. They aren't very tasty though. It is an invasive plant in this region.

43. Azalea
Already knew: Azaleas are a flowering shrub very similar to Rhododendrons, although they prefer hotter weather so they tend to be very small here. They can get crazy big in the South. The leaves are also darker and shinier then that of the Rhododendron. They also bloom earlier.
Recently learned: They are in the same genus as the Rhododendron, so it makes sense that they are so similar. They have one flower per stem, instead of the clusters that Rhododendron has. Azaleas are the most toxic plant for Dogs. There is a popular alcoholic drink in Korea made from Azaleas.
44. Cyclamen
Already knew: Another popular herbaceous plant found in spring at every garden center. It has large heart shaped cluster of flowers, and usually comes in purple and red colors.
Recently learned: They like to grow in forest or scrub where they get partial sun. The version normally sold in garden centers is not frost hardy. Cyclamen has been over harvested in the wild, but local conservation societies have been working to preserve it. It is very poisonous.

45. Camellia
Already knew: This is a very large flowering bush. The flowers are usually bright pink or white and bloom in the early spring. The flowers do not do well when rained on, but it's still incredibly popular in older neighborhoods in Seattle, leading to drooping brown flowers all over the place.
Recently learned: According to Wikipedia, Camellias have a high rainfall requirement, so there must be some other reason all the flowers in Seattle turn brown almost the minute they bloom. You can make tea from a variety of Camellia, although not this one.
46. Ranunculus
Already knew: Ranunculus is a herbaceous flower that grows in many petals in a tight cluster on a relatively short stem. They are apparently hard to grow in hot houses out of season, since you rarely see them cut for sale except in early spring and the florist who did my wedding said they would be too expensive to get in late April. They usually come in bright happy colors, all over the warm part of the spectrum, and white.
Recently learned: Buttercups are part of the Ranunculus family. They are poisonous to livestock, but are so acidic and bad tasting that it's not usually a problem if they grow near your pasture,the animals will leave them alone, although poisoning can occur when there are too many buttercups and the animals eat them out of desperation. The problem compound can also cause dermatitis on human skin if you handle them too much. This particular variety is the Persian Ranunculus. The more you cut the blooms, the more blooms it will produce.
47. Field Daisy
Already knew: The classic daisy has 8 petals, this variety has many more. It grows abundantly in fields around here, and the stem is well suited to making daisy chains, crowns and necklaces. To do so; hold the stem of one Daisy firmly in hand. With a sharp fingernail (preferably thumb) pinch the stem so that you cut a slit in the stem as close to the head as possible. Slip a second daisy stem through that slit and repeat as necessary.
Recently learned: Also called Ox-eyed Daisy, Marguerite, and Moon Daisy. It's a member of the Chrysanthemum family. There is really not a lot of information I can find about this plant. It's hardy, and is an invasive weed in certain climates.

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