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 colorLeaves are dark green

Flower

DESCRIPTION

3” to 4” petioleRed, 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 RateHeight from 1-3 feet

Propagation

Take cuttings from stems or shoots before they harden

Additional InformationTraditional herald of

ChristmasNative of MexicoDiscovered by JR PoinsettNeeds 14-18 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

DESCRIPTIONTough, 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 monthlyNewly purchased plants should not be fertilized during the first 6 months

Light

High

Size and Growth Rate8’ 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 DecoraRemember Ficus-Genus, elastica- Species, Decora-Variety

DESCRIPTIONLarge, 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 yearMore heavily in summer

Light

Low

Size and Growth RateFast GrowerOver 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 NAMEMARANTA 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!

DESCRIPTIONA 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

DESCRIPTIONSatiny 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 Rate12-15” 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

DESCRIPTIONDense, green fronds up to 3 ’ long with graceful, upright, arching habit

Leaflets closely set and 3 -4” long

Water

Water regularlyDo not allow soil to dry out

Fertilizer

Fertilize lightly all year

More heavily in summer

Light

High

Size and Growth RateFronds rapidly grow to 2’

Propagation

Start new plants by dividing old plants

Root the tips of runnersMicropropagation