Scientific Name: Agapanthus praecox willd Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman

Common Name: Blue Lily or African lily

Description
The name Agapanthus is derived from the Greek agapé love and anthos, flower. There is no clear
reason for this derivation although it could be interpreted as 'lovely flower' or 'flower of
love'. Agapeo means 'to be contented with' which is a possible derivation, i.e. 'flower with which I am
well pleased'. The specific name praecox means early, premature, unseasonable or precocious in Latin,
and was possibly given because compared to the other species it is an early flowerer; minimus means
smallest, which it is; and orientalis of the east, which is most likely a case of mistaken origin.
Agapanthus is considered to be both a magical and a medicinal plant, and the plant of fertility and
pregnancy. Xhosa women use the roots to make antenatal medicine, and they make a necklace using the
roots that they wear as a charm to bring healthy, strong babies. The Zulu use agapanthus to treat heart
disease, paralysis, coughs, colds, chest pains and tightness. It is also used with other plants in various
medicines taken during pregnancy to ensure healthy children, or to augment or induce labour. It is also
used as a love charm and by people afraid of thunderstorms, and to ward off thunder. Margaret Roberts
advises hikers to put leaves in their shoes to soothe the feet, and to wrap weary feet in the leaves for half
an hour. The long, strap-like leaves also make an excellent bandage to hold a dressing or poultice in
place, and winding leaves around the wrists are said to help bring a fever down. Agapanthus contains
several saponins and sapogenins that generally have anti-inflammatory (reduce swelling and
inflammation), anti-oedema (oedema = swelling due to accumulation of fluid), antitussive (relieve or
suppress coughing) and immunoregulatory (have influence on the immune system) properties. Although
the precise activity of agapanthus compounds is not known, preliminary tests have shown uterotonic
activity (increases the tone of uterine muscles). Agapanthus is suspected of causing haemolytic poisoning
in humans, and the sap causes severe ulceration of the mouth.
Reproduction

Agapanthus praecox is a prolific seeder and primarily reproduces by seed. Reproduction also Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Font color: Auto
occurs via rhizomes. Seeds are produced in late summer into autumn, are small, black and shiny and are
produced in a three sided capsule. Seed dispersal is effective, via wind, water, garden waste and
contaminated soil. A. praecox germinates densely.

Development

Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis) is widely cultivated as a garden plant in eastern and southern Australia, and Formatted: Font color: Auto
has also been widely grown in roadside and amenity plantings in these regions. Numerous different cultivars are also grown in
Australia, including some dwarf forms and others with variegated leaves (e.g. Agapanthus praecox 'Variegatus' and Agapanthus
praecox 'Aureovittatus').

Other subspecies of agapanthus (i.e. Agapanthus praecox subsp. minimus and Agapanthus praecox subsp. praecox) may also be
seen in cultivation.

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Scientific Name: Brassica campestris
Common Name: English field mustard
Description
Field mustard is an upright winter annual or biennial that is a member of the mustard family
(Brassicaceae). Plants exist as basal rosettes until flowering stems develop at maturity, usually in the
second year. Plants grow 1 to 3 (or 4) ft tall from a sometimes fleshy, enlarged taproot, with a many-
branched stem. The foliage is generally hairless and sometimes covered with a whitish film. Lower
leaves can reach 12 inches long, have a large central lobe, and usually one to four pairs of smaller side
lobes. Upper leaves are smaller, non-lobed, and have a pointed tip and widened, clasping base. The
bright yellow flowers are clustered at stem tops and have four petals that are ¼ to ½ inch long. Plants
flower from January to September, depending on climate and latitude, and are insect pollinated and
self-incompatible. The fruit is an elongated, two-parted capsule that splits open at the base to release
the seeds at maturity. Each half of the pod has a single prominent lengthwise vein that distinguishes it
from those of other Brassica species that have 3 to 7 veins. The hairless seed pods are ¾ to 4 inches
long, with a narrow beak at the tip, and are born on long ½ to 1 inch stems that point outward or
upward. Seeds are about 1/16 inch wide, nearly round, and reddish-gray to black.

An annual herb to 1 m or more high, originally of the Afghanistan/NW Indian area but now a world-wide
cultivated plant or weed of cultivation. It is grown here and there in the West African Region.The leaf is
eaten in many countries, though it may be reserved sometimes as an emergency food in time of shortage.
It is often fed to cattle, but under certain circumstances it may be toxic due to the presence of the
glycoside sinigrin which hydrolyses to a highly irritant volatile mustard oil. This property is used in India
for treating skin-disease and snake-bite.The plant is a very important seed-oil crop in India, and varieties
are recognized. Two principal sorts of oil are produced, sarsan and toria which are used for cooking (1, 2).
The oil is one of the chief sources of erucic acid, a fatty acid of the oleic acid series and which has
important applications in food and industry (1, 3).
Development

Reproduction
Good seed production requires cross pollination by various insects. One or two hives per acre can
ensure good seed set (Duke, 1983). Seed production fields need to have proper isolation distances
among varieties and all other forms of B. juncea, B. campestris, and B. napus. Minimum isolation
distances are mandated at the state or province level in the US and Canada, and for Brassicas they vary
from ½ to 5 miles; in England, the minimum isolation distance is 3,000 ft, while in New Zealand it is
1,300 ft. Seeds will shatter when ripe, so the crop must be harvested just before the mature stage.
Canola seed yields average between 860 and 1,200 lb/acre in Canada, but can be as high as 4,000
lb/acre (Canola Council of Canada, 2012).
Scientific Name: Silene Regia
Common Name: Royal Catchfly
Description
This herbaceous perennial plant is 2-3' tall and unbranched, except for the upper flowering stems.
The stems are covered with fine white hairs, as are the leaves, on both the upper and lower sides. These
leaves are up to 4" long and 2" wide, light to medium green, lanceolate to ovate, with a fuzzy texture and
smooth edges. They occur in opposite pairs, rotating 90° degrees as they ascend the stem. Small clusters
of bright red or scarlet flowers occur at the top of the plant. The star-shaped flowers have 5 narrow petals
that flare abruptly outward from a long tubular calyx that is about 1" long. The flowers are about ¾–1"
across, and have exerted stamens with grey anthers. The calyx is light green, longitudinally ridged, and
covered with sticky hairs that trap climbing insects. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late
summer and lasts about a month. There is no floral scent. The small black seeds usually fall only a short
distance from the mother plant. The root system consists of a taproot.
Royal catchfly is a Missouri native wildflower which occurs in dry, rocky soils in open woods, wood
margins and prairies primarily in the Ozark region of the State. A clump-forming perennial which grows
3-4' tall. Small clusters of 5-petaled, scarlet red flowers (2" across) appear in summer. Sticky calyx can
trap or "catch" small insects, hence the common name. Long, slender, often reclining stems. 10-20 pairs
of downy, lance-shaped leaves (to 5" long). Similar to fire pink (Silene virginica), except royal catchfly is
taller and blooms later, leaves are thicker and flower petals lack notches. Silene is in the same family
as Lychnis and Dianthus.
Reproduction

Development

The preference is full or partial sun in moist to slightly dry soil. The soil can
contain significant amounts of loam, clay-loam, or rocky material. Royal
Catchfly is fairly easy to grow, but it is somewhat slower to develop than
other plants and resents excessive shading. During drought, the lower leaves
may turn yellow and fall off the plant. Plants begin to bloom while small in
size, but it takes several years to reach their full potential.
Scientific Name: Silene RegiaBrassica Rapa
Common Name: Royal CatchflyRape Mustard
Description
This plant is an annual or biennial about 1-3' tall. Small plants are branched sparingly, while large plants
branch abundantly in the upper half. The stems are gray-green or gray-blue, terete, glabrous, and
glaucous. Plants that begin growth during the fall will overwinter as low rosettes with basal leaves, while
plants that begin growth during the spring bolt upward almost immediately. Both the basal and lower
leaves are up to 10" long and 2" across, but they are usually smaller than this. They are oblanceolate in
overall shape and strongly pinnatifid with undulate or bluntly dentate margins; their terminal lobes are the
largest in size. Both types of leaves have stout petioles. In contrast, the middle to upper leaves are smaller
in size, lanceolate-oblong in shape, with margins that are smooth or bluntly dentate. These latter leaves
have bases that usually clasp their stems, although some of them may be sessile. Like the stems, these
various leaves are grey-green or blue-green, glaucous, and usually glabrous – occasionally the basal
leaves have short bristly hairs. The lower, middle, and upper leaves are alternate.
The upper stems terminate in racemes of bright yellow flowers. The flowers bloom toward the apex of
each raceme, while the seedpods develop below. Each flower is 1/3–1/2" (8-12 mm.) across, consisting of
4 yellow petals, 4 green to yellow sepals, several stamens, and a pistil with a single style. The sepals are
narrowly lanceolate and hairless. The blooming period can occur anytime between late spring to early
fall; it usually lasts about 1 month for a small colony of plants. Each flower is replaced by an ascending
cylindrical seedpod (silique) that is 1¼–2¼" long at maturity and hairless. Each seedpod terminates in a
seedless beak that is about one-fourth its entire length. At the base of each seedpod, there is a stout
hairless pedicel about ½" long that is widely spreading to ascending. Each seedpod divides into 2 valves
to release its small globoid seeds. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant reproduces by
reseeding itself.
Development
Rape Mustard prefers full sunlight, moist to dry conditions, and a neutral to alkaline soil containing
loam, clay-loam, or gravelly material. The size of individual plants varies greatly according to moisture
conditions and soil fertility.

Reproduction
Pollination of the Brassica can occur over a period of three to four days following flowering. The plant
requires cross-pollination to fertilize its flowers. This is achieved by the use of bees. A bee lands on one
of the flowers to gather pollen and than the bees flies to a neighboring flower. Once the bee lands on the
neighboring flower, a bit of pollen falls from the insect and fertilization occurs. Fertilization always
occurs within 24 hours of the pollen falling from the insect.
Scientific Name: Lychnis chalcedonica
Common Name: Maltese Cross, Scarlet Lightning, Catchfly
Description
Lychnis Chalcedonica is an heirloom flower that has been grown in gardens since colonial times.
Lush green upright growth. Dazzling scarlet flowers form dense clusters on taller stems in summer. Place
toward the back of border as the flowers are held high and foliage tips can brown in late summer's heat.
The brillant flowers are indispensable where bold splashes of color are needed. Lychnis are old-fashioned,
hardy, trouble-free plants. Reliable and long lived. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Scientific Name: Vaccinium uliginosum Formatted: Font: Bold
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Common Name: Bog Blueberry, Bog Whortleberry. Alpine Blueberry
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Description
Alpine blueberry, as its common name suggests, is a resident of high-elevation and boreal habitats. Its
four-parted, urn-shaped flowers stay closed in bud. Alpine blueberry can grow in regions with bedrock
and soils that are unusually high in metals and minerals; it concentrates these elements in its leaves. This
tolerance may suit it for revegetating mine spoils. Some geologists have even suggested that the plant can
be used as a biological indicator of soils rich in uranium and other valuable elements. Where the plant
grows in less metallic soils, the berries are edible. These low shrubs can provide important cover for
ptarmigan and other small wildlife in open muskegs and alpine meadows.
Reproduction
Bog bilberry is pollinated by insects, and its strongly fragranced flowers attract bees. The berry is juicy
and has a mild flavour and varies between being round, egg-shaped, pear-shaped or with 4 rounded
corners. For some reason bog bilberry’s fruit has never been highly prized in Finland, and the economic
worth of the species is almost non-existent. Finnish bog bilberry berries are certainly more watery than
other related fruit that grows in the northern hemisphere, but claims that it is poisonous are completely
groundless. This is also true of the belief that eating the berries gives you intestinal worms and ugly
children! According to one groundless belief, eating a large amount of the berries causes a hangover type
of headache, and some of the plant’s Finnish folk names reflect this. Bog bilberry suits well in mixed
berry juices and jams with blueberry, crowberry or blackcurrant. Crossing bog bilberry with North
American blueberries has resulted in the first variety of cultivated blueberry (Aron) that thrives in the
Finnish environment.
Development
Requires a moist or wet lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added
leaf-mould[11, 200]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become
chlorotic when lime is present. Grows well in a bog garden[3]. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though
it fruits better in a sunny position[200]. Requires shelter from strong winds[200]. Dislikes root
disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[200]. This
species is closely allied to V. myrtillus[182]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey
fungus[200].
Scientific Name: Dianthus Hearts Desire
Common Name: Dianthus
Description
‘Heart's Desire’ typically grows to only 4-6” tall, but spreads over time to 12” wide. It is a naturally-
occurring whole plant mutation of Dianthus 'Rosish One'. This is a robust dianthus that produces a
cushion of blue-green, grass-like leaves from which compact stems rise in late spring to early summer
bearing pink flowers with reddish-purple staining. Flowers have a mild, spicy, clove-like fragrance. U. S
Plant Patent PP20,323 was issued on September 15, 2009.

Development
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers organically rich, neutral
to slightly alkaline, gritty loams. Good drainage is essential, but incorporating organic material into the
soils helps retain moisture in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Prompt removal of spent
flowers may prolong bloom period, but can be quite labor intensive. For larger plantings, it is perhaps
more practical to simply shear off spent flowers after bloom.
Reproduction
Scientific Name: Forsythia Suspensa
Common Name: Weeping Forsythia
Description
A straggling, deciduous shrub, with many spreading, pendulous, branches. Weeping forsythia grows
to around 3 m high as a free-standing shrub, and higher if trained against a wall. The golden-yellow
flowers are about 3 cm across, and appear before the leaves, singly, or in small groups, in March to
April. The opposite, broadly ovate, green leaves are usually simple (undivided), but are occasionally
three-lobed, and have toothed margins, except at the base. They measure about 4–8 cm in length
and about 3–5 cm in diameter. The narrow capsules (fruits) appear from July to September.

Development
Weeping forsythia is hardy in Britain, where it is appreciated in gardens for its elegant habit and
ease of cultivation. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowers best in full sun. Flowers are borne on the
previous year’s wood, so any pruning should be done immediately after flowering to ensure blooms
are produced the following year. Older plants, that may have become untidy, can be cut back to one-
third to promote young growth (rejuvenation).

Reproduction
Forsythias are angiosperms, meaning that they reproduce with their flowers [6]. Most of fruit are process after Formatted: Font color: Auto
the process of sexual reproduction, small capsules of fruits are formed. These fruits are planted to give a rise to
more Forsythias. Formatted: Font color: Auto

For commercial purposes, Forsythias are usually reproduced by cutting or rooting, an asexual reproduction of Formatted: Font color: Auto
plants. Usually one to two year old plants are used. Forsythia branch is cut, and planted on the soil, which
becomes an independent plant. Sometimes, the branch is directly planted without cutting, and when roots form,
the branch is cut to form a new plant.
Scientific Name: Hamemilis Mollis
Common Name: Chinese Witchhazel
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Hamamelis mollis, known as Chinese witch hazel,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the witch Formatted: Font color: Auto
hazel family Hamamelidaceae, native to central and eastern China, in Anhui, Guangxi, Hubei, Formatted: Font color: Auto
Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, and Zhejiang.[2]
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It is a deciduous large shrub or small tree growing to 8 m (26 ft) tall. The leaves are oval, 8–15 cm
(3–6 in) long and 6–10 cm (2–4 in) broad, oblique at the base, acute or rounded at the apex, with a Formatted: Font color: Auto
wavy-toothed or shallowly lobed margin, and a short petiole 6-10 mm long; they are dark green and Formatted: Font color: Auto
thinly hairy above, and grey beneath with dense grey hairs. The Latin term mollis means "soft", and
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refers to the felted leaves, which turn yellow in autumn.[3] The flowers are yellow, often with a red
base, with four ribbon-shaped petals 15 mm long and four short stamens, and grow in clusters; Formatted: Font color: Auto
flowering is in late winter to early spring on the bare branches. The fruit is a hard woody capsule 12 Formatted: Font color: Auto
mm long, which splits explosively at the apex at maturity one year after pollination, ejecting the two
shiny black seeds from the parent plant.[2] Formatted: Font color: Auto

Development Formatted: Font color: Auto

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Witchhazels thrive in rich well-drained soil, but will tolerate sand and clay if drainage is adequate.
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Provide a location with full sun to light or open shade. Regular water during dry weather will encourage
the best flowering, but well established plants can tolerate occasional watering. Minimal pruning is Formatted: Font color: Auto
needed to maintain its graceful vase-like form. Beginner pruners should consult an experienced pruner Formatted: Font color: Auto
or take local classes before attempting to prune. Formatted: Font color: Auto

Reproduction Formatted: Font color: Auto

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