 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
Tropical Rain Forest Flowers |
 |
|
|||
|
Keeping Tropical Flowers |
Tropical Rain Forest Flowers #1 - Strelitzia nicolai – Giant bird of paradiseJust like all the other members of the genus Strelitzia, the Giant bird of paradise plant is endemic to South Africa. The name Strelitzia is derived from Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the duchy where Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom was born. This tropical rain forest flower is a truly extravagant species and resembles the equally flamboyant Bird of Paradise (), another inhabitant of the rich South African rainforest. If you want to keep this tropical rain forest flower and have pets, you have to be careful. Dogs sometimes like to eat Strelitzia nicolai, but they are very sensitive to the seeds. Vomiting and abdominal pain are the two most common symptoms of Strelitzia nicolai poisoning in dogs. Strelitzia nicolai can reach a length of 10 metres and produce leaves that are 2 meter long and 80 centimetres broad. The flowers grow in a horizontal inflorescence that emerges from a heavy spathe. This flower can only be pollinated birds since the flower will be closed until a heavy enough bird uses the spathe as a perch. Sunbirds frequently use the spathe to rest on when they visit, and the weight of these birds make the flower open up and release its pollen. The sunbird will get pollen all over its feet and unknowingly carry it to the next Strelitzia nicolai. Tropical Rain Forest Flowers #2 - Billbergia nutans – Queen's-TearsThis tropical rain forest flower grows in the South American rainforest and is native to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. It produces flamboyant flowers with prominent purple edges and green centred petals. The filaments are elongated and of a pale green colour and the anthers are decorated with an abundance of lemon coloured pollen. Queen’s Tears is very popular as an ornamental plant throughout the rest of the world because of its beauty and sturdiness. Even an inexperience plant keeper can successfully take care of this charming species. Billbergia nutans is a natural epiphyte, but it is possible to keep it in a pot. It is important to give it only small amounts of water; neglecting it once in a while is actually better than constantly watering it and forcing it to grow in a soggy medium. Tropical Rain Forest Flowers #3 - Caesalpinia pulcherrima – PoincianaThe flowers of Caesalpinia pulcherrima are yellow, orange or red and borne in long racemes. The plant is native to tropical regions of the Americas, but has today spread to several other suitable habitats, including the tropical rainforest of India. Its Indian name is Ratnagundhi. This is very popular plant for tropical gardens. The shrub can reach a height of 3 meters and the leaves are up to 40 centimetres long. This tropical rain forest flower is an appreciated medical herb in its native region, and is for instance used to cure fevers, sores, coughs and respiratory problems. The root has been used to induce abortion during the early months of pregnancy. Tropical Rain Forest Flowers #4 - Tabebuia chrysantha – Golden GoddessThe Golden Goddess produces an abundance of yellow flowers; the richness is so profound that it can be hard to actually see the branches and leaves of this plant when in full bloom. This tropical rain forest flower is native to the northern parts of the South American continent, including Venezuela where it is the official national tree. It is known under several different names within its natural range, including Araguaney and Cañaguate. The Golden Goddess is not primarily a tropical rain forest flower, it is actually more common in dry tropical forests and it can shed its leaves to endure a dry season. Tropical Rain Forest Flowers #5 - Nicolaia elaitor – Torch GingerThis tropical rain forest flower sports flamboyant flowers and is often used for decorative floral arrangements. Its scientific name is sometimes spelled Etlingera elatior. The flower is pink or brilliant red with white edges and grows out of a crimson coloured cone sporting yellow lips. The native range for Torch Ginger is the East Indies. In Malay, it is known as Bunga Kantan while its name in Thai is Kaalaa. If you have ever tasted the traditional Nonyan dish laksa, you have actually feasted on the flower buds of this tropical rain forest flower.
Tropical Rain Forest Flowers |
|
||||