Adjacent to this path are the following specimens

Common name:     Silver Lady Botanical name:     Blenchnum gibbum Family name:          Blechnaceae (Cyatheaceae) B. gibbum is native to New Caledonia and islands of the South Pacific.  The air borne spores of ferns travel easily and this accounts for their ease in populating islands.  This medium-sized tree fern is frost tender and prefers a warm, shady, moist area. Hoshkizaki, Barbara J. and Moran, Robbin C. 2001. Fern Growers Manual. Timber Press, Portland. Page 218.

Common name:    Giant White Costus Botanical name:    Dimerocostus strobilaceous var. strobilaceous Family name:         Zingiberaceae (Ginger family) Costus are spiral gingers.  The foliage spirals around bamboo-like stalks.  This variety has a showy white flower with a long green inflorescence. Internet reference

Common name:   Dwarf Sanchezia Botanical name:  Sanchezia speciosa cv. 'Ellen' Family name:        Acanthaceae This species from Ecuador and Peru is grown primarily for its handsome, ornamental leaves.  In the summer it bears terminal panicles of yellow and shrimp-red tubular flowers.  Sanchezias require abundant moisture and warmth.  Propagation is by cuttings.  This cultivar is dwarf. – Darrin Duling. Boca Raton Resort & Club donated this specimen.

Common name:    Mulatto Bread Tree, Capirona Botanical name:   Calycophyllum spruceanum Family name:         Rubiaceae The Mulatto Bread Tree is a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae), distinguished by its smooth, olive green trunk that looks as if it has been polished.  At certain times of the year the papery outer bark turns mahogany-colored and flakes off in long strips. This handsome tree is evergreen with an upright habit and may reach heights up to 75’. It also has clusters of extremely fragrant pale yellow flowers in the spring. It hails from the Amazon in Peru, Bolivia and Western Brazil, where it is used as an ornamental to line boulevards. Few native Amazonians have the luxury of gas or electric cookers. They cook on open fires, using wood collected from the forest. Capirona (Calycophyllum spruceanum) is a favored wood for this because it is very dense, hence it burns long and hot. – Darrin Duling.

Common name:     Variegated Rusty Fig Botanical name:     Ficus rubiginosa `Variegata’ Family name:          Moraceae This is a great rubber plant with mottled cream and green colors.  A study has shown this variety is a chimera with a chlorophyll deficiency within the leaf meristem.   Internet reference

The flower heads are commonly used in flower arrangements as a focal point. It is not as cold tolerant as many other gingers. Internet  reference

Common name:     Indonesian Wax Ginger Botanical name:    Tapeinochilus ananassae Family name:         Zingiberaceae A member of the Costus Family, T. ananassae comes from eastern Indonesia and northern Australia.  Note the reddish, bamboo type, caned stems and large leaves.  The foot-long inflorescences arise from the ground at the base of the plant in late summer or fall.  Striking red bracts almost cover the vivid yellow flowers.  This plant may grow to 8 feet n height.  In hot climates some protection from the hot sun is needed.

Common name:    Lace Aralia Botanical name:   Polyscias guilfoylei cv. `Victoriae’ Family name:        Araliaceae P. guilfoylei 'Victoriae' is a small, very pretty variegated plant, quite lacy and colorful. The leaves are short-stalked, the leaflets no more than one-and-a-half inches long, deeply cut and delicately rimmed with white teeth. Although this cultivar doesn't look robust, it is adaptable and easy to maintain. Internet reference

Common name:   Joannis Palm Botanical name:   Veitchia joannis Family name:         Palmaceae This species comes from the rainforests on the Fiji islands.  It may grow to 100 feet and tolerates a light frost. The attractive deep green feather leaves and red berries make it a nice palm for landscaping in tropical and subtropical areas. Internet reference

Common name:     Giant Fern Tree Botanical name:     Schizolobium parahyba Family name:          Fabaceae From Brazil, This tree may grow to 40 feet in forests but may be cut to size. Fern-like leaves at the top are 3 feet long.  It is deciduous and requires full sun.  Internet reference

Common name:    Passion Flower Botanical name:   Passiflora vitifolia 'Scarlet Flame' Family name:         Passifloraceae Growing along the Jungle Garden rear fence is a flashy red flowered species with foliage similar to grape vines. Flowers are produced most of the time in this climate. Cross-pollination produces tasty fruit that looks like little green and cream striped beach balls. Wait for fruit to drop and slightly wrinkle for best flavor. Protect from frost! Internet reference

Common name: Botanical name:     Neoregelia cathcartii Family name:          Bromelliaceae   Neoregalia is a genus of the Bromeliad family from southeast Brazil and northern Venezuela. N. cathcartii is a naturally occurring species. Internet reference

Common name:     Choco Palm Botanical name:     Astrocarium (Astrocaryum) mexicanum Family name:         Arecaceae From Mexico, this palm has prominent black spines on the trunk. The leaves are spiny, green on top, silvery underneath. When young the leaves are almost undivided but become pinnate (feather shape).It is a small palm, under 10 feet. Internet reference

Common name:     Miracle Fruit Botanical name:    Synsepalum dulcificum Family name:          Sapotaceae From tropical Africa, this evergreen shrub produces grape-sized red fruits that trick the taste buds, causing everything eaten afterward to taste sweet - even lemons and limes.  The sweetening effect is brief and cannot be preserved.   It requires acidic, well-drained, moist soil. Our specimen is in a pot of peatmoss  for acidity.  Llamas, Kirsten A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press, Portland. Page 345.

Common name:    Lavender Lady Botanical name:    Musa ornata cv Family name:         Musaceae Musa ornata is a dwarf (5-10 feet) ornamental or flowering banana grown for its good looks. The flower for this variety can be seen in the following references. Reference Reference

Common name: Botanical name:     Chamaedorea benzieri Family name:           Arecaceae Chamaedorea benziei was described for the first time by Hodel in 1992 and owes its name to Jim Benzie. In some descriptions of benziei, it hints at the similarity with Chamaedorea woodsoniana.

Common name: Botanical name:    Aechmea luddemanniana Family name:          Bromeliaceae This bromeliad from Southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras has dark leaves in basal rosettes.  It tolerates near freezing temperatures. Llamas, Kirsten A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press, Portland. Page 153.

the mixture, especially with tobacco, is associated with a higher incidence of oral cancer.  Natives use areca nuts to treat tapeworms.  Internet reference Internet reference

Common name:    Betel Nut Palm Botanical name:   Areca catechu Family name:         Palmaceae This old tree probably originated in the tropical forests of Malaysia.   It has dark green leaves and a dark green, ringed trunk.  Two inch long reddish fruit follows white fragrant flowers. Each fruit contains one seed, the famous areca nut.  The seeds are cut into narrow pieces and rolled inside Betel Pepper leaf, rubbed over with lime, often mixed with tobacco, and chewed by the natives all day.  An alkaloid ingredient like pilocarpine is mildly intoxicating. A red coloring stains the mouth and excrement bright red. Chewing

Common  name:    Starfish Clerodendrum, Tube Flower Botanical name:    Clerodendrum minahassae Family name:         Lamiaceae Native to Indonesia, especially Sulawesi where the juicy leaves are eaten as a vegetable, this is a large evergreen shrub growing to twelve feet.  It flowers in cycles all year if not damaged by frost.   Each blossom is about five inches long with white petals and very long thin red stamens and a bright red calyx above.  Colorful fruit follows the flowers.   A very elegant plant.   Llamas, Kirsten A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press, Portland. Page 239.

Common name:    Buddhist Pine Botanical name:   Podocarpus  macrophylla Family name:         Podocarpaceae A native to Japan and southern China, Buddhist Pine is an evergreen shrub or tree suitable for warm climates.  It may reach heights of 30-40 ft with width half the height.  Desirable attributes are its dark lush, needle-like foliage, salt spray, shade and heat tolerance and disease resistance.  Well-drained soil is a must.  Internet reference

Common name:    Scarlet Ginger 'Disney', Orange Bottlebrush Ginger Botanical name:   Hedychium coccineum 'Disney' Family name:        Zingiberaceae From the Himalayas, Scarlet Ginger 'Disney's foliage is light bluish-green with a reddish cast to the underside.  In late summer brilliant orange-red flowers appear at the top in a clump.  All the flowers bloom at one time.  They are fragrant and attract butterflies.  This plant grows to about 7 feet tall and stays erect in the sun. Internet reference

Common name:    Montezuma Botanical name:    Montezuma speciosissima Family name:         Bombacaceae Despite its Mexican-sounding name, this tree is endemic to the island of Puerto Rico where it is called “Flower of the Magician”.  Its hibiscus-like flower is the national flower of Puerto Rico. One stands underneath and looks up to see huge, red, bell-shaped flowers hanging from slender stalks throughout the canopy. Couple this with the fact that it is an evergreen, ever-blooming, forest giant growing up to 60 feet and you have one dazzling flowering tree!  - Darrin Duling.

Common name:     Montgomery Palm Botanical name:    Veitchia Arecina, V. montgomeryana Family name:          Palmaceae      A very attractive and popular species from Vanuatu (New Hebrides) in the Southwest Pacific where it grows in moist forests. It is a very tall palm, with the slender trunk reaching 30 m (100 ft.) tall. It has a spreading crown on top of a slender crownshaft. The leaves are slightly arching and have spreading or slightly drooping leaflets. Veitchia arecina is a robust and extremely fast growing palm and adapts well to most garden situations in the tropics and warm subtropics. Internet reference

Common name:     Botanical name:    Begonia Homosassa Family name:          Begoniaceae This specimen was a gift from the Begonia Society, donated by Virginia Jens. Originally identified as B. Homosassa, on review it probably is B. Washington State.

The following specimens are on the east side of the path opposite the Jungle Waterfall.

A new short path leading to a bench has been added in the northeast corner. Just to the right of the entrance is a Giant Fern tree.

Common name:    Samoan Gardenia Botanical name:    Tabernaemontana holstii Family name:         Apocynaceae This is a rarely seen, handsome, small tree from Tropical Africa. The intoxicating, sweet fragrant blossoms are creamy white - 5 petaled, pinwheel shaped works of art. The foliage is beautiful as well with its dark green shiny, leathery leaves. Internet reference

Common name:     Balsa Wood Botanical name:    Ochroma pyramidale Family name:          Bombacaceae Native to the tropical regions of South America, the Balsa, or Corkwood, Tree is noted for its extremely lightweight wood. The word “balsa” is Spanish for float or raft. Spanish explorers found the natives of the New World using the wood for rafts. Balsa Trees have large, ivory-colored flowers and large, heart-shaped leaves that fall off every year. Young balsa trees grow rapidly and in ten years may reach 90 feet!  Well-seasoned balsa is

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Common name:    Blood Banana Botanical name:   Musa zebrina Family name:         Musaceae Musa zebrina, or Blood Banana, is a tender evergreen perennial native to Indonesia. The colorful leaves are dark green with red splotches on the topside and wine red on the underside with a brownish midrib. Blood banana will grow 8-10 ft. in height and is easy to grow and is hardy in zones 8-11. The fruit is not edible. Internet reference

A new short path called "Jungle Walk" is located between Elephant Ears and the Nicobar Palm. The specimens in this path are shown below.

Common name:     Croton `Gold Ribbons’ Botanical name:     Codiaeum variegatum Family name:           Euphorbiaceae Another colorful, golden, thin- leaved Croton.

Common name:     Laural leaf Moonseed Botanical name:    Cocculus laurifolius Family name:         Menispermaceae From the Himalayas, C. laurifolius is slow growing and can be pruned to an arching low tree.  It has black berry fruit and attractive leaves but inconspicuous flowers.  Internet reference

Common name:    Giant Spider Plant Botanical name:    Tripogandra serrulata Family name:         Commelinaceae From tropical America, Tripogandra serrulata Is an evergreen perennial herb. During the summer it assumes a purple coloring.The adult specimens are medium in size and reach 75 cm high. It has a panel-like development that tends to widen. Internet reference

Common name:   Horsehead or Fiddleleaf Philodendron Botanical name:   Philodendron bipennifolium Family name:         Araceae Philodendron species come from the West Indies and tropical America.  This one has a shape compared to a violin or horse's head. It is a vining plant but also grows on the ground as it does here. Internet reference

Common name:     Red hanging heliconia Botanical name:     Heliconia collinsiana Family name:          Heliconiaceae Native to Guatemalia, H. collinsiana has speactular solid red bracts with a frosty wax coating.  The yellow fruits ripen to a bright purple-blue color.  It grows to 6-8 feet tall. Internet reference

Common name:    Everblooming Heliconia Botanical name:   Heliconia `Demitri Sucre’ Family name:         Heliconiaceae This tall Heliconia (10-12 ft.) is a clumper.  Originating from Brazil, it grows best in sunny to partial sunny areas in neutral to acid soil.  It is cold hardy to 32 degrees.  The long inflorescence has a bright red color.  The leaves of this particular Heliconia are a deep, shiny green.  It blooms year round, and adds something very special to any garden. - Joseph Fondeur (owner of Tropical Paradise, Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

the lightest wood known, only half as heavy as cork.  Because of its insulating properties, it is used for lining incubators, refrigerators, and cold-storage rooms as well as for soundproofing airplanes. It has long been used in making model airplanes and other toys.

Common name:      Giant Anthurium Botanical name:      Anthurium faustomirandae Family name:           Araceae This Giant Anthurium is native only to Chiapas, Mexico where it was discovered in 1995 and described in 2001.  Leaf blades may grow to over four feet. The leaf blades are leathery and stiff. Internet reference

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Common name:     Sorrowless Tree; Ashoka Botanical name:     Saraca Indica or Jonesia Ashok  Family name:           Caesalpiniaceae Sorrowless Tree is a very handsome, evergreen tree from India, up to 30’, with pendant foliage that first emerges as pale lavender in color before turning dark green. In spring it covers itself in clusters of very fragrant, bright orange-yellow flowers that turn red as they age. Ashoka is a Sanskrit word meaning “without grief”. The Hindus regard the tree as sacred, being dedicated to Kama Deva, God of Love. Its beautiful, delicately perfumed flowers are used in temple decorations. Lord Buddha was born under the Ashoka tree, so it is planted in Buddhist monasteries.  The flower essence is used as a healer of sorrow. - Darrin Duling. A bark extract containing an estrogenic compound is used extensively in India to treat excessive uterine bleeding. S. Oliphant donated this specimen from Richard Lyons Nursery. Internet reference

Common name:     Elephant Apple Botanical name:    Dillenia indica Family name:          Dilleniaceae

On the east side of the Jungle Waterfall are the following specimens.

The following plants are on the south side of this path.

Large, fragrant white flowers resembling giant single roses appear in spring and may open to as much as 9 inches across. The fruit is also large, up to 6 inches in diameter, and looks like an artichoke. It has a very pungent smell, and true to its namesake, it is indeed relished by elephants in the wild. It is also greatly admired by humans as a very popular ingredient in Indian chutneys and curries. Elephant Apple likes full sun and a well-drained soil. In our garden, it drops its leaves if temperatures fall below 45 degrees. – Darrin Duling

Common name:     Queensland Kauri Pine Botanical name:     Agathis robusta Family name:          Araucariaceae An evergreen tree from Australia, Queensland Kauri Pine may grow to 160 feet. It is also called smooth-bark kauri as the trunk is clear for over half its length.  Its wood has been used to make furniture but not many trees remain for commercial use.  Internet reference

Common name:    Arikury Palm Botanical name:   Syagrus schizophylla Family name:        Arecaceae Native to Brazil, this small ornamental palm produces a short, slender trunk that carries a small, dense, upright crown of glossy green feather leaves with stiff, very leathery segments. In cultivation, it grows well in the warm temperate or tropical garden, where it will withstand considerable coastal exposure, or as an indoor palm that tolerates a lot of neglect and dry air. Plants start flowering when still young, and the inch-long, edible coconut-like fruits considerably add to its charm. Internet reference

Common name:     Neem Tree Botanical name:    Azadirachta indica Family name:          Meliaceae Neem tree is believed to have originated in Eastern India and Burma although it is now grown as a major plantation crop throughout the tropics. This tree has been known for thousands of years as the “The Village Pharmacy”, or the “Tree of 1,000 Uses” due the tremendous amount of medicinal applications that are attributed to it. Among other things, oil extracted from its seed is said to have anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, antihistamine, analgesic, anti-bacterial and anti-ulcer properties!  It is also being widely used in commercial horticulture and agriculture due to its effectiveness as an organic treatment for numerous pests and pathogens. As a  landscape subject, Neem is a beautiful evergreen tree up to 50’ with lacy foliage and delicate sprays of tiny, fragrant white flowers.  It is also becoming a popular indoor container plant in temperate climates. – Darrin Duling.

Common name:      Rainbow Tree Botanical name:     Dracaena marginata ‘tricolor’ Family name:           Ruscaceae Native to Madagascar, this Dracaena is salt tolerant and it is suitable for coastal locations.  The sword-like leaves come in many colors.  The `Tricolor’ variety is pink and cream striped with red margins. It does best in bright light. Llamas, Kirsten A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press, Portland. Page 336. Internet  reference

Common name:     Cordyline `Red Ribbons’ Botanical name:     Cordyline terminalis cv Family name:          Dracaenaceae A fast growing Ti plant with an intense leaf color.

Common name:    Fragrant White Begonia Botanical name:   Begonia odorata 'alba' Family name:         Begoniaceae This begonia has been around the Florida landscape for a number of years. It was used mostly in hanging baskets in the past. It is an amazingly good high ground cover for partly shady locations. This begonia will reach about 3 feet in height and is easy to propagate from cuttings. It is in bloom year round compared to many begonias that bloom only in late winter or spring. The flowers produce a nice cascading informal display of white through the year and are lightly fragrant. It is a species from Jamaica. Root rot may be a problem if the soil is too wet.  Internet reference

Common name:     Giant Fishtail Palm Botanical name:     Caryota obtusa, C.gigas Family name:           Aracaceae From India and Thailand, C. obtusa is a massive palm growing rapidly to 60 feet.  It has a thick, solitary trunk and massive flat leaves. This tree is monocarpic which means that it will flower and bear fruit only once, then die. This tree will reach maximum height in about 25 years. Flesh of seed and trunk is caustic to touch and should be handled with care. Internet reference Internet reference

Common name: Botanical name:    Calathea ornata `Roseo Lineata' Family name:          Marantaceae From Columbia and Brazil, Calathea Ornata has striking leaves with a prominent vein design.  The undersides of the leaves are deep purple.  Calatheas are named after the Greek word for basket.  The small flowers are arranged together like a basket. Everett, T.H., Editor. 1973. Encyclopedia of Gardening. Greystone Press, New York. Page 537.

Common name:     Botanical name:    Dracaena thaliodes  Family name:         Agavaceae Dracaenas are noted for their sword like leaves.  This species comes from tropical Africa and Sri Lanka and grows to a height of three feet.   The leaves are almost stem less. It likes a little shade and average moisture. Riffle, Robert L. 1999. The Tropical Look. Timber Press, Portland. Page 152.

Common name:    Cardinal's Guard Botanical name:   Pachystachys coccinea Family name:         Acanthaceae A perennial from Northern South America through the West Indies, P. coccinea is well suited to southern Florida’s climate.  It grows upright 3-7 feet and produces striking shrimp-like scarlet flowers from February through April.  It prefers some shade and is propagated by cuttings. Internet reference

Chamaedorea elatior

The following specimens are on the north side of the path.

Common Name:     Yellow Jacobinia Botanical name:    Justicia aurea Family name:          Acanthaceae This colorful evergreen shrub from Mexico is located next to the Monkey Pod Tree.  Spires of lemon-yellow flowers appear from fall through spring. It likes to be nearby trees and shrubs for protection from the cold.   Llamas, Kirsten A. 2003. Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press, Portland. Page 33.

Common name:    Orange Pepper Tree Botanical name:    Piper aurantiacum, P. wallichii Family name:         Piperaceae Piper or pepper is a large group of shrubs growing wild in tropical areas.  The fruit of the commercial species is the source of black and white pepper.  P. aurantiacum is an ornamental species that has been found to contain a substance involved in inflammation and cardiovascular disorders, platelet activating factor.  Internet reference

Common name:     Parlor Palm Botanical name:    Chamaedorea elegans Family name:          Arecaceae Parlor Palm is a small palm native to the rainforest regions of Guatemala and Mexico.  The very small yellow flowers are followed by small black fruit.  The slender cane-like stem will reach about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. It has dark green, pinnate leaves on a pale rachis with 11-20 pinnae. It is one of the best palms for indoor use. Internet reference