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Common names, scientific names, use and care, cultivation and propagation tips, flowering habits, history and little-known facts for the curious tourist or resident. Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica)
Click on pics for large view
The A. blanchetii allamanda
The A. cathartica allamanda
The tulipan, or African Tulip Tree
Tulipan blossoms are edged with yellow.
Zamia maritima or Cardboard Palm Family: Apocynaceae
Alternate Names: Golden Trumpet, Bush Allamanda
Use: The allamanda is grown as an informal fence in tropical climates, and as a houseplant elsewhere. It is excellent for use in planter boxes, especially when used with other brightly colored flowers for contrast.
Flowers: This plant produces clusters of showy, trumpet-shaped flowers, to 4 inches in diameter. A.blanchetii is purple, while the more common A. cathartica is jonquil-yellow. The Stansill's Double variety has double yellow flowers. In cultivation, it generally does not produce fruit.
Tulipan (Spathododea campanulata)
Family: Bignoniaceae
Alternate names: African Tulip Tree, Spathodea nilotica, Sorcerer's Wand, Flame of the Forest, Tulip Tree, Fountain Tree
Use: The tulipan is planted as a specimen tree, for shade, or along city streets or in parks. It is used throughout the warmer climates of the world and grows to 50 feet or more in the wild.
Flowers: The beautiful, bright orange-scarlet flowers are 4 inches diameter and are lined with yellow. They appear in large racemes at the ends of branches, and open a few at a time, with the process lasting several months and thus providing a lengthy display. "Kona Gold" has yellow flowers.
Note: The trees may become hollow with age, posing a hazard of breaking and falling branches.
Zamia maritima (farfurecea)
Family: Cycad
Alternate Name: Cardboard Palm
Use: The zamia is a landscape specimen, an attractive plant for large containers in public spaces, balconies and patios. It is also grown as bonsai.
Flowers: Inconspicuous/none.
Note: All parts are poisonous and the seeds may be harmful to pets. This "living fossil" plant has survived since the time of the dinosaurs. The leaves are slightly fuzzy, and have a cardboard feel. In shade, leaves will be further apart than in full sun.
Linda Abbott Trapp has much more to say about the allamanda, tulipan and zamia. For tips on cultivation and propogation, we invite you to join our family of subscribers... it isn't expensive. A monthly subscription is just $5.00 USD - that's $1.15 per week. An annual subscription costs $30.00 USD - only $2.50 per month or 58 cents per week. We think you'll find it's money well spent.
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