This unusual flower belongs to Uncarina grandidieri, a caudiciform* tree/shrub from Madagascar. The species is deciduous and grows to ~ 3-5 metres in height. This specimen is under two metres tall and is growing the Cactus and Succulent Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. The species will not tolerate temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius and will die back and possibly rot under these conditions.
The flowers appear quite Thunbergia-like and I’d originally thought the plant was a Thunbergia, however, that was incorrect (see the discussion here). The species is apparently pollinated by beetles. It’s part of the Pedaliaceae family, the same family that includes sesame.
*Having a thickened (and often misshapen) trunk or stem, caudiciform plants are typically adapted to dry conditions.
This unusual plant is the cactus Astrophytum asterias, known variously as the Sand Dollar or Star Peyote. Like most Astrophytum species, most clones are devoid of spines and instead have small tufted patches of hair. The species is critically endangered in the wild, due to habitat destruction and over-collection by hobbyists (despite being easily grown from seed). Most members of the genus are sensitive to excessive watering and should be kept in loose draining mixtures. In Sydney, the local rainfall is probably excessive and the species is best kept undercover.
A. asterias is a native of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico and also occurs in southern Texas, USA. Despite being a cactus, the species generally grows in the shade of other cactaceous species such as Lindheimer prickly-pear (Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri) and is often found semi-buried in coarse rubble. The species produces large, typical cactus flowers from March to May and like many cacti is insect pollinated.
The radial symmetry of plants from the genus Agave is one of the most endearing aspects of the group. Unfortunately, some members of the genus have a propensity to pup a little too vigourously. This has led to a number of species, most notably Agave americana having some weed potential. This species, however, has all the excellent aspects of the genus and virtually no drawbacks that I can name. It makes an ideal species for the garden and in Sydney’s climate deals beautifully with the lack of rainfall.
Unsurprisingly, the specis is named for Queen Victoria of England. It is native to Nuevo León in Chihuahua, Mexico where it is locally endangered due to habitat clearing and over-collection. Most natural specimens are solitary, though some rapidly-puping specimens are sometimes found in the wild. Unlike the more weedy Agave species, A. victoriae-reginae is relatively slow growing and takes many years to reach maturity and its maximum size of 45 cm across.
Today’s well overdue image is of Persicaria capitata also known as Japanese Knotweed and Pink bubble persicaria . This herbaceous ground cover is common in gardens in Sydney where it has a tendency to be a little weedy. That said, if you are prepared to keep in in check, and in your in a location where it’s escape is limited it’s a hardy ground cover with attractive foliage and interestingly shaped, small, pink flowers. In bright light the leaves take on a rosy, purple colour.
The species is native to East Asia and share its common name with the more weedy Fallopia japonica, though the two plants are not morphologically all that similar. Both though are part of the Polygonaceae family.
It’s also official today, the weather in Sydney has gone mad. Two days ago it was 38-42º C (100.4-107.6º F) in Sydney, today it would be lucky to be 20º C (68º F). I shouldnt complain, 38º C is too hot for me, Nik, Connor and my garden.
Sorry for the long time between posts, it’s been a hectic few weeks with Christmas, Connor, New Years and a touch too much World of Warcraft.
Today’s image is of Brassavola cucullata a tropical orchid from high altitude locations (>3000 metres) in Central America. This habitat means despite the tropical location the species is relatively cool tolerant and will grow in subtropical areas. The species has terete (pencil-shaped) leaves sand a rambling, epiphytic growth habit. In summer it produces large spidery flowers that are cream-to-pale-green in colour. Some websites feature photos of the plant in the wild. Its growth habit is strangely similar (to me at least) to Australian native Dockrillia species.
This is a photo I took last summer (almost a year ago) in Berowra Valley. The photo shows one of the smaller cicada species from the valley Cicadetta labeculata resting on a stick. This species is just 35mm long and is one of the smaller species present. There’s a detailed fact-file on the species at the Australian cicadas website including an recording of their call. Anyone who’s been bushwalking in coastal Sydney should be familiar with the call. Surprisingly, these are quite difficult cicadas to photograph as they tend to be timid and flee when you approach. This specimens a female.
I quite like cicadas and have numerous photos of the various species I’ve found in the valley. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I’ll post some blog entries on this topic….however, with Christmas approaching I’m not sure how much blogging I’ll get done.
On a side note, it is with much relief that I can report that the cat that I thought we’d lost was in fact hiding in house. Damn feline.
Today’s photo is of Huernia zebrina, growing and flowering in my collection of succulents in early 2006.
H. zebrina is a native of South Africa and part of the succulent stapeliad group - plants also known as carrion flowers. The common name is derived from way many species smell like rotting meat, fish or other putrefying material. Unlike the strongly scented Stapelia or Piaranthus, this plant (and all other Huernia spp. for that matter) dont seem to smell much at all. Many flies still seem interested in the flower and will lay eggs upon its surface, so perhaps it’s something beyond our olfactory skills. It’s not carnivorous - the flies are simply pollinators. It’s easy to grow in well drained potting mixes with 5-6 hours of bright sunlight a day. Don’t water much in winter. If you are in an area with frosts, get a glasshouse if you want to grow this species as it is not frost tolerant.
This unusual flower belongs to Ceropegia haygarthii var. distincta, a succulent, weakly-twining member of one of my favourite plant genera Ceropegia.
The species is native to South Africa and Angola where it grows as a rambling vine. Like most Ceropegia species it’s a poor climber without tendrils, and has only a weak affinity for twining. It thus tends to lay over other plants rather than wrapping around them tightly.
As usual, the species is well described by fellow Ceropegia-enthusiast Sage Reynolds. The genus is part of family Apocynaceae.
The genus Kniphofia is related to Gastrodia, Haworthia and Aloe and is quite similar in appearance to many of the so-called grass (non-succulent) Aloes. The genus is relatively large and contains some 70 species, all of which are natives of Africa. Most species occur in southern Africa and have a similar herbaceous, clump-forming habit. The genus is named in honour of Johann Hieronymus Kniphof a German botanist.
Kniphofia are common garden plants and are popular in Australia where there drought hardy nature is well tested. They form large clumps and are easily divided and propagated. Most species flower in autumn or winter. Watering during the growing period will enhance growth, but is not required as once the plants are established natural rainfall in most areas is sufficient.
This is one of a number of Cyrtocara moorii owned by a friend of mine (Glenn Barrett ). C. moorii is a haplochrominecichlid that occurs widely in Lake Malawi in Africa. Like virtually all haplochromines, C. moorii is a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid which breeds in polygynous harems. Unlike other cichlids, male haplochromines play little role beyond fertilisation in brood care and fry raising is typically the role of female cichlids.
C. moorii is popular with cichlid enthusiasts where it is variously known as the hump-head cichlid or dolphin cichlid. It requires large aquariums (over 180 litres) and should be kept in a group consisting of 2m:6-10 females. As an open water cichlid it requires swimming space that is free of rocks in the foreground of the aquarium. As for most malawi cichlids, plants are considered by this fish as food.
My mother complained yesterday about the lack of flower posts lately. So, Mum - this one’s for you.
This is Billbergia pyramidalis, a Brazilian bromeliad and one of the hardiest of its kind. This species is common in gardens in Sydney were it readily grows, via pups, in the leaf-litter ground interface (unlike many of its more epiphytic cousins). Like most bromeliads, the species has a large “well” in the centre (also known as a cup). This serves as a source of water and nutrients (which decay in the well) - an adaptation to their life in the canopy. The decay that supplies bromeliads with nutrients is inactive “digestion” and so most bromeliads are not carnivorous. There are, however, a small number of borderline carnivorous species (such as Brocchinia reducta).
The genus Billbergia contains numerous other species, though most are kept only by specialist bromeliad enthusiasts. Billbergia nutans (Queen’s tears) is the other exception and a common garden (and indoor) plant.
When I first spotted this plant at Patonga last weekend I said to Jess, I thought it may be edible. She encouragingly replied “You first”.
Freakishly, I was right. This is Tetragonia tetragonoides, an inhabitant of beachside habitats in many countries. It’s also known as New Zealand Spinach (and Warrigal Greens)… and indeed, it is edible, though allegedly better cooked than raw.
It’s a member of the ice plant family (Aizoaceae). Anyone for spinach?
Another day with little time to post so here is a photo I grabbed this morning on the deck (on my black bamboo!).
This is a robberfly eating a honey bee. There’s also a small fly of some other kind directly in front of the robberfly, but I’m not sure what it is - click on the photo to see my notes.
Robberflies are pretty common here in Berowra and they regularly seem to prey on honeybees. Given the imported nature of honeybees, and their tendency to cause problems for native bees, I don’t feel too sorry for them :).
Here’s a photo I took last weekend of a female Common Koel in our liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua) tree. These birds are brood parasites (cuckoos) and lay their eggs in the nests of local crows and honeyeaters.
The species eats fruit (and if you click on the photo you’ll see the stains on the beak).
Today’s overdue image is the next in this short series on plants that contain psychoactive compounds. This is Delosperma cooperi, an ice plant (also called pigface), growing wild in its native South Africa. This species is commonly grown as a garden plant and forms dense mats that are 10-15 cm deep depending on the individual plant and growing conditions. Bright light will encourage denser growth. The species is tolerant of minor frost though severe frosts will burn the plant causing leaf and stem death. Like all ice plants it’s a succulent species that performs better in well drained positions.
The species (like numerous Delosperma species) contains dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine. The former occurs naturally in the human brain, while the later is a methylated form of dimethyltryptamine and presumably attaches to similar receptors causing visual hallucinations.
Today’s image is by Chid Akash of flickr. This is Lophophora williamsii, better known by its common name, Peyote, growing in pot culture.
Lophophora williamsii is a native cactus of the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas and Mexico where it used to be abundant, particularly in areas rich in limestone. Unlike most cacti, the species is spineless or nearly so, though naturally occurring populations show some morphological plasticity. Most young plants show some spine development, but this generally lessens as the plant mature. It is small-growing cactus, rarely reaching more than 10-12 cm in height and spread. The species forms clumps by budding from the base. Pink flowers are produced in late spring.
In the wild the species is threatened by over-collection by those interested in the chemical properties of this plant and by cacti enthusiasts. The former I have little time for, and the latter should know better. If you’re interested in growing the plant be sure to avoid “wild-collected” stock. Like most cacti, growing L. williamsii is relatively straightforward (though this species is very slow!). The plants should be grown in well drained, alkaline potting mixtures, being sure to avoid watering during cool periods when the species is most prone to rotting. To avoid rot, many cactus enthusiasts grow these cacti grafted onto hardy rootstocks including Cereus and Myrtillocactus species.
L. williamsii is a wellknown source of the hallucinogenic compound mescaline. Mescaline has a long history of usage as a etheogen by the indigenous people of North America. It’s also sought after by those interested in recreational drugs. It is noteworthy, however, that the hallucinogenic effects of mescaline are preceded by considerable nausea and vomiting. The compound is also found in large quantities in other cacti including Echinopsis pachanoi and Echinopsis peruviana. The psychoactive properties of mescaline result from its chemical similarity to signaling phenethylamines that occur in the brain (such as dopamine or seratonin). Mescaline is thus able to bind to receptors in the brain designed for these other compounds and this results in its psychoactive properties. As peyote plays a major role in American Indian culture its cultivation is not prohibited in most countries; possession of mescaline for uses outside religious observances, however, is (depending on where you live) an offense. Along with mescaline, the species also produces a range of other alkaloids. At least one of these, peyocactin has antimicrobial properties.
Today’s image continues the short series I’m running on plants with psychoactive compounds. This is the Common Morning Glory vine Ipomoea indica, as photographed by Philip Bouchard.
Ipomoea indica is native to the southern USA, Mexico and Central America. It is a twining, climbing vine with distinctively shaped leaves. The leaf base is cordate, with each leaf having three lobes, some immature leaves appear heart-shaped. The flowers are large (50-80 mm across) and are blue to purple depending on the cultivar. The common name “Morning Glory” refers to opening of the new flowers during the morning (each flower lasts only one day).
The species is part of the large genus Ipomoea, that is frequently misspell “Ipomea”. There are over 500 Ipomoea species, most of which are perennial vines, though some annual species and even small trees (the most common being I. arborescens and I. carnea) do exist. The genus includes two horticulturally important species: sweet potato and water spinach.
In New South Wales, I. indica is a declared noxious weed and cannot be sold or distributed as a garden plant. One similar species, I. purpurea also occurs as a local weed, though it is an annual, rather than perennial species with smaller flowers and less “weed potential”. The differently-leaved I. cairica is also a declared noxious weed and can be easily distinguished from I. purpurea or I. indica by its pink flowers and deeply palmate 5-7 lobed leaves.
Ergonovine vs LSD
Many Ipomoea species, including Ipomoea indica, contain alkaloids with psychoactive potential. Is accepted that Ergonovine (right) contained within these plants is responsible for some psychoactivity, though other as yet unidentified lysergamides may also contribute. I’ve included an image with the chemical structures of both ergonovine and LSD. The marked similarity between the two compounds is obvious. Along with their uses as a recreational drug, ergonovines are also used medicinally in obstetrics to prevent post-birth bleeding. Along with hallucinations, uncontrolled ingestion can cause miscarriage, liver damage, brain damage and potentially heart attacks and stroke.
In nature, these alkaloids work to prevent herbivory and there are few natural grazers on Ipomoea species — a facet of their biology that contributes to their prevalence as weed species outside their natural range. That said, some caterpillar species will feed on Ipomoea species and there’s a list at Wikipedia for those interested.
If you’re in an area where its weed potential is low I. indica makes an excellent garden plant. There are a number of cultivars available including “Scarlett O’Hara”, “Crimson Rambler” and “Milky Way”.
Today’s plant photo marks the first in a series I was planning to run on plants that contain biologically active compounds. The plant in the photo is probably familiar to millions of people despite most varieties being illegal to grow in most countries.
This is Cannabis sativa subsp. indica a plant with too many common names to list, the most common being marijuana. The species is a small shrub with distinctive palmately compound leaves. The number of leaflets per leaf varies depending on variety and maturity, though commonly each mature leaf has seven to nine leaflets all of which have serrate edges. Male and female flowers generally occur on separate plants, though it is possible to have hermaphrodite plants with both flower types.
C. sativa subsp. indica, like all Cannabis species is endemic to central Asia. Where it has been used for hundreds of years both as a psychoactive drug and a source of fibre. Its psychoactive properties are largely due to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There’s a series of detailed articles on cannabis as a drug and the effects of cannabis at Wikipedia.
Numerous strains of the plant have been developed and Wikipedia has a list for those interested. Typically strains that are grown for fibre containly little to no THC.
Cannabis is the type genus for the family Cannabaceae a family which also includes hops along with the genera Trema and Celtis
