American Orchid Society Delray Beach, Florida WHAT'S IN BLOOM in the Tropical Garden August 2010 Pictures taken by Virginia M. Salus, Ed.D, AOS Volunteer Website and text by Alan L. Kaitz, MD, AOS Volunteer Please e-mail comments to alan.kaitz@gmail.com

Click on the smaller pictures to view a larger one.  Click on Internet reference to view the online reference.

Common name:     Snowball Ixora Botanical name:     Ixora longistipula Family name:           Rubiaceae This shrubby ornamental species from tropical Asia has umbels of white flowers giving the appearance of snowballs.  Internet reference

Common name:     Bridal Wreath Frangipani Botanical name:    Plumeria pudica Family name:          Apocynaceae Located near the Vaughn garden entrance is this gem from Panama, Columbia, and Venezuela.  In our climate it is almost always in bloom with funnel-shaped white flowers and a yellow throat.  The distinctive leaves are long with a pair of large lobes near the pointed tip and remain evergreen here.

Common name: Botanical name:    Begonia 'Encanto Bronze' Family name:          Begoniaceae This begonia hybrid has striking pink flowers and dark green leaves.

Orchids in bloom in the AOS Tropical Garden this month

Common  name:  Crown Flower, Milkweed Botanical name:   Calotropis gigantea Family name:         Asclepiadaceae Native to India but widespread in tropical and subtropical areas, C. gigantea is an evergreen, common wasteland weed.  It is used as a traditional medicinal plant. The seeds produce a durable fiber used for stuffing and making ropes, sewing thread and fish nets.  The long leaves are woolly and the stems are  covered with white wooly hairs. Internet reference

Common name:     Spanish Shawl Botanical name:     Dissotis rotundifolia Family name:          Melastomataceae From Africa, this plant serves as a ground cover or hanging basket.  Purple-crimson flowers are 2 inches wide.  Other common names areTrailing or Dwarf Tibouchina and Pinklady. Internet reference

The Vanda Miss Joaquim is Singapore's national flower, chosen in 1981. It was first discovered in the garden of Miss Agnes Joaquim in 1893. The selection of a national flower was part of Singapore's effort at fostering national pride and a sense of identity. Vanda Miss Joaquim was selected particularly because of its hardy and resilient qualities and its ability to bloom throughout the year.  It is an indigenous hybrid between Vanda teres and Vanda hookerana. Internet reference