Plants

Croton Mummy (Codiaeum variegatum): Introduction, Classification, Distribution, Characteristics, Toxicity, and, Uses

The sap from crotons, which are linked to euphorbias, can give sensitive persons skin rashes. If consumed, it can also upset the stomach and result in more severe symptoms if consumed in big quantities. Like with the majority of mild- to moderately hazardous houseplants, the plant’s pungent flavour typically deters animals and young children from consuming it. Always exercise caution while keeping indoor plants close to animals or youngsters.
Bark, roots, and leaves all produce deadly latex. 5-Deoxyingenol is the toxin present. The latex, when exposed repeatedly, produces eczema in gardeners while the bark and roots can result in mouth burns. Humans and domestic animals both employ exudates as purgatives, irritating the skin in the process (Bronson, 2005).

Croton Mummy (Codiaeum variegatum): Introduction, Classification, Distribution, Characteristics, Toxicity, and, Uses Read More »

Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum): Introduction, Discovery, Classification, Characteristics, and, Cultivation

Sedum is a genus comprising over 280 species in the northern hemisphere (North America, Europe, and Asia), and Sedum morganianum is without a doubt the most well-known and widely cultivated of the about 100 Sedum species Stephenson (1994) identified for Mexico. Sedum morganianum, also known as “Cola de borrego” or “Cola de burro” in Mexico, is also known as “Burro’s tail” or “Donkey’s tail” in English due to the long stems’ resemblance to an animal’s tail. A very popular plant for hanging baskets is the burro’s tail. Growing perfect specimens, however, may be quite a challenge because the lovely, pale green leaves fall off at the least touch. Fortunately, every removed leaf can quickly recover to create new plants. It makes an excellent basket plant for the garden, greenhouse, or windowsill thanks to its pendent habit of growth, which hangs vertically.
Donkey Tail is a Mexican native. For hanging baskets, it produces a beautiful succulent plant. The spindle-shaped leaves are formed in a silver-blue colour. Pendulous branches may reach 3 feet or more in baskets. The common name is derived from the plant’s growth pattern, which results in long, trailing stems that resemble ropes and are densely covered with leaves. It rarely blooms, but when it does, the flowers range in colour from pink to deep red. It grows nicely in a wall pot or a hanging basket and needs good drainage, some shade, and wind protection. This sedum is delicate and is frequently grown as a houseplant. This plant can be easily propagated by dropping a single leaf or a stem onto sandy soil. It only takes a few days for it to root and produce fresh “leaflets.”

Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum): Introduction, Discovery, Classification, Characteristics, and, Cultivation Read More »

Cock’s comb plant: Introduction, Classification, History, Description, Cultivation, Phytochemical Constituents, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Action

A member of the genus Celosia, Celosia cristata [Celosia in Greek means burning] is also known as cockscomb because the blossom resembles the head of a rooster (cock). China refers to it as Chi Kuan. It is a member of the family Amaranthaceae, class Magnoliopsida, and order Caryophyllales. Many members of this family of plants are valued as ornamental plants because of their eye-catching inflorescences. Numerous medical features of the plant with promising activity are also known, in addition to its growing landscape. The plant with a strong medicinal effect is mentioned in Chinese herbal treatments as well as Indian Ayurveda. Commonly known as cockscomb, this plant is used to treat a variety of conditions, including hematemesis, abnormal uterine bleeding, hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, leukorrhea, chronic dysentery with persistent diarrhoea, redness of the eye and dizziness caused by excessive heat or fire in the liver, nebula with blurred vision, and more. The decoction of the entire herb is the best approach to using the plant for therapy according to conventional practice. Some people compare the Cockscomb blossoms’ dense, velvety texture to brain matter. The plume kinds are planted more frequently because of their fluffier, lighter, airier texture that blows freely in a breeze.

Cock’s comb plant: Introduction, Classification, History, Description, Cultivation, Phytochemical Constituents, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Action Read More »

Peace Lily: Introduction, Classification, Native Habitat, Characteristics, Pathological Problems, Utilization, and Care

The Peace lily is one of the more popular tropical indoor plants in the United States. Spathiphyllum is its official botanical name. One of the most common interior-design plants in the country, Spathiphyllum is named after the Greek word for the flowers’ spathe-like leaves. It is also known to be effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene, and other pollutants from indoor environments. It is frequently observed in houses and businesses, where the indirect light makes it grow wonderfully. The Peace Lily is not a lily; it was merely comparable to the white lily historically. Many people equate peace, innocence, and purity with peace lilies. However, others in the new age movement assert that they resolve problems and combat negativity. Regardless of what someone may claim, we can all agree that they provide beauty and aesthetic appeal to any space.

Peace Lily: Introduction, Classification, Native Habitat, Characteristics, Pathological Problems, Utilization, and Care Read More »

Rubber Plant: Aspects of Biology for yield Production

Laticifers
The outermost bark layers of rubber trees are methodically removed to collect latex. The interior soft zone (nearer to the cambium) and the external hard zone are two separate layers that make up the anatomical organization of the bark structure of Hevea, According to Gomez (1981) and MRB (2005) (stone cells and cork). Laticifers are successively formed in the cambium region of Hevea, where they develop mostly in the soft bark layer where latex is created. The bark surface and various laticifers in Hevea species were, however, poorly described in earlier research by rubber plant breeders (Frey-Wyssling, 1930, RRIM, 1957; RRIM, 1963, RRIM, 1994). According to theories, the laticifers’ roles include latex manufacturing, physiological functions, cellulose content creation, insect defense, and participation in a transportation pathway (Pakianathan et al., 1989; Kutchan, 2005; Pickard, 2008; Konno, 2011). The rubber tree’s laticifers are described by Esau (1965) and Shamsul Bahri (2000) as a collection of articulated fused cells that support latex and form systems that infiltrate the body of the plant via numerous tissues. Other plant species, such as the papaver and Lactuca (lettuce) species, are part of similar laticifer systems. However, non-articulated laticifers, which are laticifers that are not fused, are created from individual cells and grow into branching or unbranched tube-like structures (de Fay and Jacob, 1989; Shamsul Bahri, 2000; Hagel et al., 2008).

Rubber Plant: Aspects of Biology for yield Production Read More »

Rubber Plant: Introduction, Classification, Morphological Characters, Growing season, and Uses

The Rubber tree is native to South American rain forests, and it is typically found in tropical regions close to the equator. Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela are all countries in South America where rubber trees can be found. The conspicuous trifoliate leaves, separate male and female flowers generated at the same inflorescence, and a trilocular capsule fruit pod that contains three seeds, which contain latex in nearly every part of the tree, are characteristics of rubber trees. Five years after planting, they start to flower, although they rarely open at the same time, which promotes cross-pollination. Rubber tree latex has various advantages that make it a valuable raw resource for numerous goods. The inner bark of a rubber tree contains a cluster of particular cells known as laticifers, or latex vessels, which are harvested to produce latex by slicing through the outer layers of the bark structure. Multiple unique soft and hard layers combine to generate the bark structure. The laticifers that finally give rise to rows of cells as concentric cylinders of parenchyma tissues and tube cells are known as soft bark. Within this species, the bark thickness varies, and the surface colour ranges from reddish purple to dark purple and from pale brown to brown. Young rubber trees occasionally even have a brown-green striped bark. The size of the seeds varies, but they typically exhibit dark brown or grey-brown mottling. Additionally, this species produces thick, green fruit capsules with three lobes and seeds.

Rubber Plant: Introduction, Classification, Morphological Characters, Growing season, and Uses Read More »

Spider Plant: Introduction, Classification, Distribution, Characteristics, Propagation, and Phytochemical Screening

The Genus Chlorophytum contains 200–220 species of perennial plants that are evergreen, herbaceous, stoloniferous, and rhizomatous and are native to subtropical and tropical South Africa and Asia. They are often referred to as spider plants or ribbon plants. As part of traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to treat burns, fractures, and bronchitis. It is typically referred to as a spider plant.

Spider Plant: Introduction, Classification, Distribution, Characteristics, Propagation, and Phytochemical Screening Read More »

Kohlrabi: History, Selection, Nutrition Benefits, Description, Facts, and Growth

The German turnip or turnip cabbage known as kohlrabi was developed through selection for an expanded edible stem. The plant’s edible portion is either green or purple and can be consumed raw or cooked.
Time of Planting: Seeds can be started indoors a few weeks before the last frost and then transplanted outside, or they can be seeded outside right after the last frost. Direct sow kohlrabi seeds 90 days or so before the first day of frost if you’re growing it in the fall. Transplant kohlrabi seedlings outdoors in the spring around one to two weeks before the last frost date in your area.
Spacing Requirements: Insert kohlrabi seeds 14 inches deep. 9 to 12 inches should separate plants.
Time to Germination: 3–10 days for germination
Special Considerations: Kohlrabi does not grow well in loose soil, so consider this.
Common Pests and Diseases: Flea beetles and other pests are attracted to kohlrabi. By putting a thin row cover over kohlrabi plants, it is simple to keep these pests away.
Harvest: Kohlrabi plants should be harvested when the bulbs are 3 inches in diameter. Cut the stem just above the surface of the soil.
Eating: There are numerous ways to prepare kohlrabi bulbs. The bulb of kohlrabi can be finely minced and used in soups, while the raw vegetable can be shredded and used in salads. Soups may also contain steamed kohlrabi. A delicious winter delicacy is a roasted kohlrabi, which may also be cooked into fritters or vegetable pancakes. Young kohlrabi greens are also edible. Storage: Kohlrabi can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks.

Kohlrabi: History, Selection, Nutrition Benefits, Description, Facts, and Growth Read More »

Cattleya Orchid: Introduction, Features, Leaves, Roots, Pseudobulbs, Flower, General Care, and Maintenance, Commercial Use, and, Care after Flowering

Orchids are a special class of plants with a vast range of flower sizes, shapes, and colours. They are renowned for their resilient and entrancingly lovely flowers, which command very high prices on the global market and account for about 8% of the world’s floricultural trade. Cattelya is one of these crucial orchid species for commerce. Large, showy, vibrantly coloured, occasionally fragrant flowers belonging to the Cattleya genus are well-known for finding a great market as cut flowers and potted plants. They are frequently called the “Queen of Flowers.”
The genus Cattelyas is a member of the subfamily epidendroideae, subtribe laeliinae, and family orchidaceae. William Cattley, a renowned gardener, inspired the name “Cattleyawa.” The 45 different species of orchid were then used to designate the group. Although they can be found all over the world, Cattelya orchids are primarily found in Mexico and Central America. They grow along a rhizome, which eventually becomes a stem with roots, leaves, and flowers. They are sympodial and epiphytic. The maturation period for Cattelyas plants grown from seeds ranges from 4 to 7 years. When compared to other orchids, captelyas are much more tolerant. They are quite strong and can tolerate temperature changes, humidity, and even conditions that resemble drought to a good extent. The ideal temperature range for Cattelyas is between 55°F and 60°F (12.8°C and 15.6°C) at night and between 70°F and 80°F (21.1°C and 26.6°C) during the day. The cattleya grows best.
when the change in temperature between day and night is between 15°F and 20°F (8.3°C and 11.1°C).

Cattleya Orchid: Introduction, Features, Leaves, Roots, Pseudobulbs, Flower, General Care, and Maintenance, Commercial Use, and, Care after Flowering Read More »

Plumeria alba: Classification, Geography, Characteristics, Season and kind of growth, Phytochemical Constituents, and, Uses

Different parts of Plumeria alba were thought to be effective against several illnesses, including leprosy, rheumatism, abdominal tumours, and malaria. Herpes, scabies, and ulcers are treated using the milky sap of the stem and leaves. The seeds aid in hemostasis, the seeds are used as a plaster over hard tumours, and the latex is used as a purgative, cardiotonic, diuretic, and hypotensive. Additionally, P. alba is used to treat herpes, scabies, and ulcers, and its seeds have hemostatic qualities. Over strong tumours, the bark is bruised and used as plaster.

Plumeria alba: Classification, Geography, Characteristics, Season and kind of growth, Phytochemical Constituents, and, Uses Read More »