Tropical Plants 8 Created Summer 2008 Euphorbia- Nephrolepis

BOTANICAL NAME  EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA

PRONUNCIATION  you - FOR - bee - ah pull - CARE - im - ah

COMMON NAME  Poinsettia

Connecting the Scientific Name to the Common Name  Euphorbia reminds me of Euphoria-which is happiness. I am very happy at Christmas- Poinsettias are Christmas plants

DESCRIPTION  Flower is yellow (inconspicuous)  Bracts show color  Leaves are dark green

Flower

DESCRIPTION  3” to 4” petiole  Red, pink, white, and variegated cultivars

Flower Bracts Modified Leaves

Water  Water regularly and deeply about once per week

Fertilizer  Fertilize when actively growing

Light  High

Size and Growth Rate  Height from 1-3 feet

Propagation  Take cuttings from stems or shoots before they harden

Additional Information  Traditional herald of Christmas  Native of Mexico  Discovered by JR Poinsett  Needs hours of total darkness for bracts to change color

BOTANICAL NAME  FICUS BENJAMINA

PRONUNCIATION  FIE - kus

COMMON NAME  Weeping Benjamin Fig

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)  Benjamin and Benjamina

DESCRIPTION  Tough, leathery, shiny, green leaves cover drooping branches  Stem are covered in pale brown bark

Water  Do not allow root ball to dry out  Provide plenty of water during growing season

Fertilizer  Feed monthly  Newly purchased plants should not be fertilized during the first 6 months

Light  High

Size and Growth Rate  8’ tall in just 3 -4 years

Propagation  Take stem cuttings before they have hardened  Air-layer

Additional Information  Often loses most of its leaves if moved to a new location  Very Sensitive

BOTANICAL NAME  FICUS ELASTICA ‘DECORA’

PRONUNCIATION  FI - cus e - LAS - ti - ca DE - co - ra

COMMON NAME  Decora Rubber Plant

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)  Decora and Decora  Remember Ficus- Genus, elastica- Species, Decora- Variety

DESCRIPTION  Large, thick, glossy, leathery, rich, dark green leaves  Maroon and variegated leaf cultivars available

Water  Water thoroughly once or twice a week in summer  Less in winter

Fertilizer  Fertilize all year  More heavily in summer

Light  Low

Size and Growth Rate  Fast Grower  Over 6’ in 3 -4 years

Propagation  Take stem cuttings before they harden  Air-layer

Additional Information  One of the easiest indoor plants  “Bleeds” a milky substance from leaf

BOTANICAL NAME  MARANTA LEUCONEURA var. ‘Kerchoviana’

PRONUNCIATION  muh - RAN - tuh loo - koe - NER - uh

COMMON NAME  Prayer Plant

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)  I do not know a good way to remember this one. Help me please!

DESCRIPTION  A low growing plant with oval leaves that lays flat during the day and folds up in the evening  The surface is vivid to pale green with a row of chocolate or red veins

DESCRIPTION  Satiny foliage  Small white flowers are rarely seen

Water  Needs lots of water and frequent misting in the summer

Fertilizer  Feed with weak fertilizer every other week

Light  Medium

Size and Growth Rate  12-15” tall

Propagation  Start new plants by dividing old plants  Stem Cuttings

Additional Information  Direct sunlight will fade leaves

BOTANICAL NAME  NEPHROLEPIS EXALTATA cv.

PRONUNCIATION  neff - row - LEP - iss ex - all - TAH - tah

COMMON NAME  Boston Fern

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (the Mrs. A Way)  This plant reminds me of the head dress of an Egyptian Queen- Nephrolepis

DESCRIPTION  Dense, green fronds up to 3 ’ long with graceful, upright, arching habit  Leaflets closely set and 3 -4” long

Water  Water regularly  Do not allow soil to dry out

Fertilizer  Fertilize lightly all year  More heavily in summer

Light  High

Size and Growth Rate  Fronds rapidly grow to 2’

Propagation  Start new plants by dividing old plants  Root the tips of runners  Micropropagation