Flaming Torch-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the November 2016 Edition Flaming Torch, Billbergia pyramidalis Family: Bromeliaceae Also known as: Foolproof Plant, Summer Torch Billbergia, Red Torch, Red Flame, Queen Tears, Billbergia, Bubble Gum Blos-som, Candy Blossom or Hurricane Bromeliad (Though one of the hardier bromeliads, these are a bit picky about where they will most happily reside. […]

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Dwarf Pineapples-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the November 2016 Edition Dwarf Pineapples, Ananas cosmosus Family: Bromeliad Also known as: Pygmy Pineapple or Miniature Pineapple The bromeliad genus of Ananas is comprised of fewer than ten base species, but now has, hundreds of cultivars. Foremost of the genus, in case we’ve forgotten, but as Andrew Steens notes in […]

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Mexican Hat Plant-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the October 2016 Edition Mexican Hat Plant,  Bryophyllum daigremontianum Family: Crassulaceae Also known as: Mother of Millions, Mother of Thousands, Devil’s Backbone, Alligator’s Tongue or Alligator Plant. A member of the Kalanchoe genus, this widespread group of succulents can be found ranging from Africa to Asia and even in the Americas. […]

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Java Turmeric-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the October 2016 Edition Java Turmeric, Curcuma xanthorrhiza Family: Zingiberaceae Also known as: Indian Saffron or Hidden Lilies In that I had forgotten where and how I had gotten these absolutely gorgeous flowering plants, I was wholly stumped as to the name of these. Thus, I sought the sagacious counsel of […]

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Queen of the Night-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the September 2016 Edition Queen of the Night, Selenicereus grandifloras, Selenicereus chrysocardium, Selenicereus hamatus, Selenicer-eus knuthianus or Selenicereus hallensis (In all candor, I’ m unsure!) Family: Cactaceae Also known as: Moonlight Cactus, Night-blooming Cereus, Large-flowering Cactus or Sweet-scented Cactus (Even with several cacti and succulent books in my library, several knowledgeable […]

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Desert Fan Palm-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the August 2016 Edition Washingtonia filifera Family: Arecaceae Also known as California Palm, Fan Palm, Petticoat Palm, Cotton Palm, American Cotton Palm and Arizona Fan Palm. This “feller” has a special place in our hearts. While working in Iraq for nearly two years (2005 – 2006) I had the opportunity to […]

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Red Philodendron-I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson from the August 2016 Edition Family: Araceae Also known as Red Leaf Philodendron, Blushing Philodendron, Burgundy Philodendron, Red Emerald Philodendron, Sweetheart Plant and various other hybrid names. (This is really a simply delightful, good looker. Ours happily sits on the Sunrise Terrace with indirect sun all day long, basking in the complimentary […]

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