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Portea alatisepala
Portea alatisepala provides long-lasting color through the late summer and fall months. Plants grow fairly large, with a leaf spread of 4-5 feet and an overall height of 2-3 feet.Individual leaves can...
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Aristolochia elegans
The flowers of Aristolochia elegans are the most stunning aspect of this plant, but it also has many other interesting features. The plant is a vine that climbs by twining around any available support,...
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Aechmea blanchetiana
Aechmea blanchetiana (eek-MEE-uh blan-ket-ee-AY-nuh) is one of the largest of the commonly grown Aechmeas. Its size makes a big impact in any landscape or bromeliad garden. Mature plants often have a...
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Acacia farnesiana (Sweet Acacia)
The flowers of Acacia farnesiana have a fragrance similar to grape candy, which is probably where it gets the common name Sweet Acacia. The flowers may appear at any time during the year, but are more...
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Cassava, Yuca (Manihot esculenta)
Manihot esculenta, also known as cassava, yuca and manioc, is a fast-growing perennial with an edible tuberous root. In common usage, the plants are usually referred to as cassava and the roots are...
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Schefflera arboricola
Schefflera arboricola (shef-LEER-uh ar-bor-ih-KOLE-uh) is a widely-grown houseplant that is also a durable landscape plant in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is sometimes known as dwarf...
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Sweet lemon (Citrus limetta)
Sweet lemon (Citrus limetta) is an acid-free or low-acid variety of citrus. The same species is also sometimes known as sweet lime.On the outside they are a typical lemon-yellow color. The flesh inside...
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Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) has been one of the most widely used spices since ancient times. It has a variety of documented health benefits and is easy to grow as well.The ginger "root" is...
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Golden turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric or Indian saffron, is a ginger relative that has long been used to add flavor and color to food. It also has medicinal applications, and is used to treat...
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White turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria)
Curcuma zedoaria is very similar in appearance to golden turmeric, although somewhat smaller-growing and not quite as prolific. The primary visual difference is that the rhizomes are white instead of...
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Winged yam, Ñame (Dioscorea alata)
Dioscorea alata is commonly known as winged yam, water yam, white yam and ñame.The species name alata means winged and refers to the flattened edges of the squarish stems.This is one of the true yams...
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Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)
Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a perennial root crop that tastes like a fruit. People in the Andes region of South America have enjoyed it for more than a thousand years. Only now are scientists...
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Jicama (Pachyrhizus tuberosus)
Jicama (Pachyrhizus tuberosus) is tropical vining legume that forms a large edible root. The vines climb by twining and can reach a length of 20-30 feet, given sufficient support. The trifoliate leaves...
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Dyckia leptostachya
Dyckia leptostachya is a spring-blooming bromeliad that has thick, succulent leaves with an attractive reddish tint. The margins are armored with small sharp spines pointing outward. Individual plants...
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How to grow Dyckias from seed
So your Dyckia has produced a bunch of little seed pods and you want to try growing some bromeliads from seed. Each pod contains dozens of seeds and they're fairly easy to grow. Note: this method also...
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Tithonia diversifolia (Bolivian sunflower)
Bolivian sunflower is sometimes known as Mexican sunflower, but that common name also applies to another Tithonia species, so to be completely accurate, just call it Tithonia diversifolia! Some sources...
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Tindora (Coccinia grandis)
Coccinia grandis is a perennial cucurbit commonly known as tindora or ivy gourd. The striped fruits are about 2 inches long and are edible raw or cooked. When approaching maturity, they start turning...
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Nopalea cochenillifera
Nopalea cochenillifera is a cactus that is edible and has many medicinal properties. It also makes an attractive, drought-tolerant landscape plant.This species grows to about 15 feet tall and can...
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East Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is one of the quickest and easiest herbs to grow from seed or divisions. It's also one of the most useful herbs to have in your garden.Plants started early...
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Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis)
Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) is a legume with numerous health benefits. The plant grows as a vine so some sort of support is needed when growing it in the garden.The vine climbs by twining around...
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