Common name:     Dwarf Red Banana Botanical name:    Musa Red Banana Family name:          Musaceae Blue-green leaves are striped with red. Underside of the leaves is blood-red in sun. It bears small, sweet fruit and grows 6-8 ft tall. Internet reference

Vanda Robert’s Delight `Garnet  Beauty’

Common name:      Climbing Chamaedora Botanical name:      Chamaedora elatior Family name:           Arecaceae C. elatior is climbing on Rose tababuia.  This is the only vining Chamaedorea species.  The head of the palm tends to drop down towards the ground.  It is distrubuted in the rainforests of Mexico to Central America. it will tolerate a minimum temperature of 36 deg. F. Internet reference

Blenchnum gibbum was previously described in JungleGarden3

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

Riffle, Robert L. 1999. The Tropical Look. Timber Press, Portland. Page 108.   Internet reference

The Live Oak in this area is host to many plants; some are shown below.

Common name:     Bow Tie Cycad Botanical name:    Ceratozamia hildae Family name:          Zamiaceae This cycad is from Mexico where it is critically endangered due to plant collectors. Fortunately there is an ample supply in cultivation.  It may grow to 6 feet high with a width of 4 feet and prefers a moist, shady area. Internet reference

Common name:     Fernleaf Cycad Botanical name:     Zamia fischeri Family name:          Zamiaceae (Zamia, a Cycad Family) Native to central Mexico, Z. fischeri grows to only 3 feet with a 6” trunk when mature.  The arching light green leaves have thin finely serrated leaflets.  It grows best in partial shade. Zamias bear cones instead of flowers and are examples of prehistoric flora. Alberts and Merkel Nursery donated this specimen.

Common name:     Rose Tabebuia, Pink Trumpet tree Botanical name:    Tabebuia rosea, T. pentaphylla Family name:         Bignoniaceae From tropical America, this tree can grow to 60 feet. The bark is dark grey and deeply fissured, giving it a characteristic appearance. Leaves are dark green, with usually five stalked leaflets radiating from the end of a longer leaf stalk. Flowers are pinkish white with darker lines. It flowers an average of twice a year, and the flowering is triggered by 2 main factors - dry weather and a drop in temperature. It

Common name:     Dragon’s Tears Botanical name:     Reineckia carnea 'rubra' Family name:           Liliaceae (Convallariaceae) This plant was introduced from China and Japan into Europe in 1792 but never became popular.  The long, narrow strap-shaped leaves are in a large tuft.  The thick, creeping rootstock throws up 12-18 inch stems that bear red flowers in this variety in the summertime.  The plants should be lifted, divided, and replanted in

does sometimes shed its leaves before flowering. When flowering, the tree is totally covered with pinkish-white flowers. Fruits are dark grey capsules containing numerous flattened seeds. Internet reference

Common name:     Holly Fern Botanical name:   Cyrtomium falcatum Family name:         Polypodiaceae Native to the Orient and India, southern Africa and Hawaii, Holly Fern is a tough plant that is easy to propagate.  It has been a popular porch plant in Florida since the 1800's.  The dark green, serrated leaves are leathery and resemble holly leaves - hence the common name. Internet reference

Common name:    Red Spike Anthurium Botanical name:    Anthurium bakeri Family name:         Aracaeae A. bakeri is an epiphytic species from Guatemala to Columbia.   The 3” leaves are strap-like and leathery. It bears cherry red berries. Internet reference

Another clump of Anglaonema `Peacock' is located near the Jackfruit Tree. Description and references may be found there.

#10 on Jungle Garden Waterfall Panorama Common name:     Botanical name:    Dypsis utilis Family name:         Arecaceae From Madagascar Island east of Africa, this palm is also known as a branching palm.  The trunk may split into multiple heads just above the ground.  It prefers a well-drained sandy soil. Internet reference

Common name:     Rex Begonia Vine Botanical name:    Cissus discolor Family name:          Vitaceae (The grape family)  C. discolor is a vine native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia.  The leaves have an elongated tip and their color is a deep velvety green with red veins and silver markings on top, and a maroon lower surface.  The leaves are among the most beautiful of any vine.  This tendril-bearing vine may grow to 20 feet.  The small flowers form little berries.  Riffle, Robert L. 1999. The Tropical Look. Timber Press, Portland. Page 108.  Internet reference

This plant is now in the northwest  corner of the Lake  Huntington Walk. #12 on Jungle Garden Waterfall Panorama Common name:       Moko Moko Botanical name:      Montrichardia arborescens Family name:            Araceae This tropical plant grows along the banks of rivers and creeks and also in fresh and salt water. Manatees enjoy eating the arrow-shaped leaves.  The fruiting spadix is edible.  The seeds can be cooked or toasted. Internet reference

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Common name:     White Candles Botanical name:    Whitfieldia longifolia Family name:          Acanthaceae  From Africa, an upright evergreen shrub with large heads of white flowers and  glossy green leaves. As a potted plant it is compact and bushy. It needs bright light, but not direct sun, and rich soil.   Internet reference

fresh soil every 3-4 years to keep them growing vigorously and to prevent overcrowding.  It prefers a sunny position in front of a border.  Everett, T.H., Editor. 1973. Encyclopedia of Gardening. Greystone Press, New York. Page 2712. Internet reference

Vascostylis Crownfox Magic `Pink Pearl’

Common name:     Amazon Lily Botanical name:    Eucharis grandiflora Family name:          Amaryllidaceae Amazon Lily is a tropical evergreen bulb from Columbia.  The shiny deep green leaves are very attractive.  Clusters of white, fragrant flowers appear on 18 inch spikes except in the winter.  It prefers a shady place. The name Eucharis is derived from a Greek word meaning “agreeable”.  Internet reference

Ascocenda Su-Fun Beauty `Orange Belle’

Jungle Waterfall The Jungle Garden Waterfall was donated by the Hand and Wedgworth Families in loving memory of Ruth Wedgwood

Common name:     Variegated Elephant Ear Botanical name:     Colocasia Hilo Beauty Family name:          Araceae      This Elephant ear has 12" leaves that are irregularly spotted with splotches of white. It is a fast grower and clumps up to 36" tall. Internet reference

Vanda Melanie Coronado 'Blue Delight'

#9 on Jungle Garden Waterfall Panorama Common name:    River Aralia Botanical name:   Osmoxylon lineare Family name:        Araliaceae From Southeast Asia, the River Aralia may be found along the river banks in Thailand. Reference

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#15 on Jungle Waterfall Panorama - a blue heron awaits the next tour of the Botanical Garden.

Common name:      Hardy Easter Cactus (from Brazil) Botanical name:     Rhipsalis elliptica   Family name:          Cactaceae   From brazil, R. elliptica likes to hang from trees as it does here on the Live Oak. It has multiple joints, flat, broad and elliptic and the flowers pop out at the margins of the leaves like a cactus. Internet reference

On a lower branch of this Live Oak is the staghorn fern, Platycerium pumilum, from Africa. This specimen was donated in memory of Barbara L. Ornest, a longtime AOS member.

Common name: Botanical name:    Heliconia lingulata cv. `Tropical Paradise Fan' Family name:          Musaceae Joseph Fondeur, owner of Tropical Paradise Nursery in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (to be sold in 2007) discovered this variety in South America.  It is distinguished by the orange-red tinting in the bracts. – Joseph Fondeur.

Ascocenda Fuchs Sunkist `Orange Glow'

#11 on Jungle Garden Waterfall Panorama Common name:     Monkey Pod Tree, Rain Tree Botanical name:     Samanea saman Family name:          Fabaceae (Mimosaceae) Native from the Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, S. saman is now grown in tropical America including southern Florida as a wonderful shade tree.  Grass grows right up to the trunk because this species' leaflets fold together at night and in cloudy, wet weather, allowing the rain to fall through. The tree house in Walt Disney's "Swiss Family Robinson" was built in a rain tree. It can be maintained at any height by periodical pruning. Ground up pods rich in sugar are a source of fodder and alcohol.  Internet reference

Common name:    Rosy Hurricane Palm Botanical name:    Dictyosperma album var. furfuracea Family name:         Arecacea This palm is native to the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean where it is almost extinct.  Although it can withstand hurricane winds it cannot tolerate drought and requires warmth and high humidity. Internet reference

#13 on Jungle Garden Waterfall Panorama Common name:     Black Taro Botanical name:     Alocasia plumbea 'nigra' Family name:          Araceae Alocasias come from tropical Asia and have colorful, large heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves.  All have inflorescences consisting of a spathe and spandex.  The pictured variety has almost black leaves and grows in bogs. Riffle, Robert L. 1999. The Tropical Look. Timber Press, Portland. Page 39. Internet reference

Common name: Royal Staghorn Fern Botanical name: Platycerium superbum Family name: Polypodiaceae Staghorn Fern, from eastern Australia, is one of the largest species in this remarkable group of epiphytic ferns. These ferns have two distinct types of frond; fertile and shield. Fertile fronds are the hanging "staghorns" that generate brown patches of spores beneath their surface. The spore-bearing fertile fronds may be 3 feet long, divided at the tips resembling the horns of the stag or elk. Shield fronds don't produce spores and are

Common name:     Popenoe Begonia Botanical name:    Begonia popenoei Family name:         Begoniaceae A species from Honduras, it has showy white flowers.   Internet reference

the means by which the ferns attach to trees. Shield fronds also collect bits of organic material that serves to fertilize the plant; our plant enjoys banana peels that we occasionally tuck behind its shield fronds! Greg Alikas and Kathy Figiel donated this giant specimen. - Darrin Duling.

#8 on Jungle Garden Waterfall Panorama Common name:      Angel’s trumpet Botanical name:     Brugmansia `Ecuador Pink’ Family name:          Solanaceae   The name Angel’s Trumpet refers to this large shrub’s drooping flowers that are said to “look down from Heaven”. Brugmansia blooms are very fragrant at night and come in a range of white, yellow, orange and pink shades. A few also have variegated leaves. The cultivated variety 'Ecuador Pink' remains one of the most popular due to its vigorous growth and salmon-colored blossoms that appear throughout the year in frost-free areas. Native to tropical America, Brugmanasias are in the nightshade family of plants and are toxic.  Look but don’t taste. – Darrin Duling

On the rain tree is a wonderful collection of vandaceous orchids, courtesy of Robert Fuchs, president of R.F. Orchids, Homestead, Florida.

Common name:     Mussaenda Queen Sirikit, Sirikit’s Robe Botanical name:     Mussaenda philippica 'Queen Sirikit' Family name:           Rubiaceae The Philippines University created this beautiful Dona Queen Sirikit by crossbreeding Dona luz (or Dona Mag SaySay) and Dona Aurora   (M. philippica var. aurorae) as a gift for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand during Their Majesties' visit to the country in 1963. The Queen gave the new hybrid its name. Five light pink bracts with dark pink edges are at the base of a yellow flower.

Common name:    Rose Plume Botanical name:    Cordyline terminalis Family name:         Liliaceae This hybrid C. terminalis has a striking flower, aptly called “Rose Plume.”

This plant flowers year-round except for a few winter months when the leaves drop off. It is located a few yards west of the Live Oak. Internet reference

Common name:     Metallic Palm Botanical name:    Chamaedorea metallica Family name:          Arecaceae An unusual palm from Mexico in that the leaves are undivided as if the leaflets had fused.  The leaves are stiff, tough and almost erect with a metallic sheen to the dark bluish green coloring.  It grows only to 4-5 feet tall and prefers shade.  Riffle, Robert L. 1999. The Tropical Look. Timber Press, Portland. Page 103. Internet reference