TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

9,805 topics in this forum

1. 

   huge Quercus virginiana, Southern Live Oak, downtown Orlando

   August 17, 2009 by Eric in Orlando

   • 7 replies
   • 1.1k views

   Here is a giant Southern Live Oak, Quercus virginana growing downtown Orlando. There is an old house next door that is used as offices. It is sandwiched in by taller towers. About 10 years ago some developers wanted to clear this block to build an office tower. That meant the tree would have to go. Enough ruckus was raised and the city denied permission and the tree was saved. It is estimated to be over 500 years old, maybe 600. How could anyone want to destroy something like this ?

   

   Last reply by bubba, August 18, 2009
3. 

   Peltophorum dubium-Yellow Poinciana

   August 17, 2009 by Eric in Orlando

   • 3 replies
   • 877 views

   Some Peltophorum dubium, Yellow Poinciana are flowering now. This has been an off year for them. It seems every 2-3 years they don't flower heavily. I think they go in spells. Last years was a real good year. I spotted this specimen on the east side of town near UCF.

   

   Last reply by fastfeat, August 18, 2009
4. 

   Which Cycad Should I Plant?

   August 18, 2009 by dp0728

   • 1 reply
   • 625 views

   I would like to maybe plant a cycad. It would go in a flower bed near my house. Can someone please give me suggestions. I would like to plant one that stays somewhat small, maybe 3-6ft tall. I live in West Palm Beach, Florida. Thanks!

   

   Last reply by LilikoiLee, August 18, 2009
5. 

   Thalia dealbata

   August 18, 2009 by 8er-moni

   • 0 replies
   • 514 views

   Hi! My Thalia dealbata has now blossoms for the first time! The insects become killed in the blossoms :drool:

   

   Last reply by 8er-moni, August 18, 2009
6. 

   Heliconia Pictures & ID

   August 17, 2009 by LauraAnu

   • 2 replies
   • 786 views

   Hello, I don't know how many heliconia lovers are out ther, but I need an ID on two heliconias. This first one, I got a division from a friend. This one I saw in the garden of a local bank. Any help would be appreciated as I think heliconias are the perfect companion plantings to palms. Laura

   

   Last reply by Really full garden, August 17, 2009
7. 

   A walk into the rainforest

   August 8, 2009 by Jeff in St Pete

   • 15 replies
   • 1.9k views

   I was looking for palm seeds yesterday (see other post in main forum) and I took a few other plant photos and thought I would share them here. Native heliconia - This is one of the largest growing heliconias I have seen here. The leaves grow to be 15-18 feet (5.5 meters) tall. I'm getting a couple offshoots next week.

   

   Last reply by bayside mike, August 16, 2009
8. 

   What Kind of Bananas

   July 8, 2009 by bubba

   • 8 replies
   • 1.1k views

   I drive by this cluster often and they look weird and purply. What are they?: This is a little closer:

   

   Last reply by Rusty on Pine Is., August 15, 2009
9. 

   Abutilon ...

   July 4, 2009 by 8er-moni

   • 10 replies
   • 1.8k views

   Hi! My Abutilons ..... Do you have pics from yours?????? Thanks!

   

   Last reply by 8er-moni, August 15, 2009
10. 

    Wild vs Domesticated Muscadines

    August 14, 2009 by Zeeth

    • 1 reply
    • 787 views

    Today my mom bought some domesticated muscadines at the farmers market. I thought it would be a good opportunity to show the differences between the wild and domesticated and see which you guys like better. I went out to a spot where some wild ones grow kind and got a couple. I like the wild kind much better. To me they are much sweeter and the skin is much easier to eat, as it isn't thick like the domesticated kind. Here's a comparison, the wild is the tiny one: Here they are in my hand for size reference (my fingers are curled in, so they look a little weird...): They are both muscadines, I'm sure of that. Which do you like better?

    

    Last reply by Al in Kona, August 15, 2009
11. 

    Small Delonix regia blooming in San Diego

    August 7, 2009 by Randall SD

    • 14 replies
    • 1.6k views

    Just thought I would share a few pictures of a very tropical looking Delonix regia bloom in San Diego Ca.

    

    Last reply by BS Man about Palms, August 15, 2009
12. 

    My new Zamias

    August 8, 2009 by edric

    • 13 replies
    • 1.3k views

    My friend owns a tree service, and I bought a couple hundred 3 gallon pots from him, I noticed in his storage yard, up against the fence, under the trees, in the weeds, were a dozen or so Zamias, both Cardboard palms, (Zamia furfuracea), and Coontie palms, (Zamia integrifolia), he had sent one of his boys with me to help gather up all the pots, most of which still had the remnants of once living plants, I specifically told the young man, don't up end anything still alive, that I don't need the pots that bad, well a few weeks went by, and I started thinking about the stranded cycads up against the fence in the high weeds, and for three days the old song " Rescue Me " kept …

    

    Last reply by PalmatierMeg, August 14, 2009
13. 

    Ground cover

    August 13, 2009 by realarch

    • 2 replies
    • 636 views

    Saw this ground cover at a garden tour in East Hawaii and thought someone might have and idea what it could be. Wish I had gotten a close up. Thanks. Tim

    

    Last reply by BigFrond, August 14, 2009
14. 

    Anyone know this Eucalyptus species?

    August 13, 2009 by fastfeat

    • 2 replies
    • 625 views

    This rather small Eucalyptus species is occasionally seen in SoCal, most-often planted in dry areas such as slopes or less frequently as a street tree. Bark is box-type, somewhat variable, but typically lighter and smoother in the upper branches. Height seldom exceeds 40'/13m, DBH usually less than 16"/40cm. Flowers and fruit small, not always produced locally; these were the first I'd found on about 20 trees I've been watching here in Santa Clarita. Generally, looks like a slimmer, smaller, lighter green, longer-leaved E. polyanthemos. Anyone know it?

    

    Last reply by fastfeat, August 13, 2009
15. 

    canna lillies

    August 8, 2009 by CromulentKevin

    • 1 follower
    • 13 replies
    • 3.4k views

    Pardon my ignorance, but I have been curious about this. I'm used to cannas going dormant in winter and popping back up in spring, which is how I understand it works for most people. But in frost free areas such as coastal San Diego or Los Angeles (or of course tropical locations around the world) are cannas evergreen or do they still enter a period of dormancy every so often. If they don't, do they just keep growing to tremendous heights or do they only get so high before each plant dies off? Maybe it is normal for people to just cut them down every so often to keep them from looking too gangly, if winter doesn't do it for them? Just curious!

    

    Last reply by bahia, August 13, 2009
16. 

    Another Croton ID!

    August 7, 2009 by PalmsZA

    • 1 follower
    • 6 replies
    • 1k views

    Hi all I know there are some croton crazy types here who would be able to ID these two new ones-Thanks... This one is especially pretty. Love the black and red cobo, I have others with the same combo of colours but not with this leaf shape

    

    Last reply by PalmsZA, August 13, 2009
17. 

    "Giant" mango from Taiwan

    July 28, 2009 by Okie

    • 12 replies
    • 9.6k views

    Currently in Singapore and saw a very large mango at the market. It is advertised as "Giant" Taiwan mango. They are almost a foot long and are like small (American) footballs! Does anybody know the botanical name for this species, or cultivar? Thank you in advance, Okie

    

    Last reply by aussiearoids, August 13, 2009
18. 

    El Stinko - Sapelia grandifora

    August 12, 2009 by BigFrond

    • 4 replies
    • 1.3k views

    It's not stinky as I thought.

    

    Last reply by BS Man about Palms, August 12, 2009
19. 

    Best trees for freshwater margins 1 2

    August 8, 2009 by Alicehunter2000

    • 40 replies
    • 5.5k views

    I am finally working on the last area of my yard. It is a steep slope (approx. 40 degrees) that ends in a abandoned canal that is closed and is now freshwater. I have bass, bream, softshell turtles, a few catfish as game fish and other non game species. I am in the process of cleaning most of the existing popcorn trees, water oak, swamp vines, blackberry vines ect. out. to make way for more tropical style ornamental and edible alternatives. I plan to put in canna's, water lily's, arrow plants, elephant ear type species ect. I have already had success in planting cyprus trees and queen palms along the bank. The soil is very sandy and wet near waters edge. I am barely zo…

    

    Last reply by MattyB, August 11, 2009
20. 

    Feral Pig Damage

    August 6, 2009 by Mr Cycad

    • 1 follower
    • 24 replies
    • 2.5k views

    Group - Some feral pig damage up at my farm last weekend... Cheers, Kurt

    

    Last reply by metalfan, August 9, 2009
21. 

    How To Germinate Tree Fern Spores ?

    August 6, 2009 by Really full garden

    • 2 replies
    • 1.2k views

    I just got some Cyathea borbonica spore and need some practical (basic) advice on how to germinate these incredibly small spores.They are just visible to the naked eye. I have never germinated any fern spore before and purchsed these out of curiosity and learn something new.

    

    Last reply by Really full garden, August 8, 2009
22. 

    What plant is this? A screw pine?

    August 4, 2009 by Gbarce

    • 6 replies
    • 1.1k views

    This picture was taken in Fairchild Botanical and the plant in question is the branching Screwpine in the middle. At least I I think that its a Screwpine but am not really sure. Can anyone confirm its identity?

    

    Last reply by Eric in Orlando, August 7, 2009
23. 

    Albizia julibrissin

    July 26, 2009 by 8er-moni

    • 5 replies
    • 1.9k views

    Hi! Albizia julibrissin 'Jordan' My little tree in a pot - 2 years old - I got the seeds 2007 from Simona: Albizia julibrissin 'Summer chocolate' - in a pot, too

    

    Last reply by 8er-moni, August 6, 2009
24. 

    The raining tree.

    August 4, 2009 by BS Man about Palms

    • 17 replies
    • 1.5k views

    A While back I was working up in Pauma Valley in San Diego county. We finished work and stopped at a local taco shop to eat. I pulled up under a tree out of habit and when I got out I was getting a little spritz. I thought I was getting hit by an cars windshield fluid but the nearest car was 20 feet away and NEXT to me? Well, after a few moments I realised it was coming from the tree! If you zoom in on the pictures, you can see the silver streak line of some of the drops. I looked at the windshield and saw drips there too. About that time a guy walking from his truck and trailer walked by and said "I see you spotted the rain tree", "been coming here for years and can…

    

    Last reply by BigFrond, August 6, 2009
25. 

    What is this bizarre looking seed?

    July 29, 2009 by Jeff in St Pete

    • 19 replies
    • 2k views

    A friend of mine found this on the beach today. She called it her "Dodo Bird". Anyone know what this is? Is it worth keeping and planting? I wouldn't even know which end to plant! It even had a tail

    

    Last reply by Zeeth, August 5, 2009
26. 

    Cycad ID Needed

    July 30, 2009 by epicure3

    • 10 replies
    • 1.2k views

    Can anyone tell me what this cycad is? I know it's some sort of Encephalartos but don't know which kind. One of the whole plant and one of the new cone pushing through.

    

    Last reply by virtualpalm, August 4, 2009