Oct10

Anthurium

is a large genus of about 600–800 (possibly 1,000) species of flowering plants, belonging to the arumfamily (Araceae). Anthurium can also be called “flamingo flower” or “boy flower“, both referring to the structure of the spathe and spadix.

TROPICOS lists 1901 types, although some of these are duplicates. It is one of the largest and probably the most complex genera of this family; certainly it is one of the most variable. Many species are undoubtedly not yet described and new ones are being found every year. The species has neotropical distribution; mostly in wet tropical mountain forest of Central and South America, but some in semi-arid environments. Most species occur in Panama, Colombia, Brazil, the Guiana Shield and Ecuador. According to the work of noted aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden, no members of this genus are indigenous to Asia.[2] Deliberately or accidentally, however, some species have been introduced into Asian rain forests, and have become established there as aliens.

Growth habits

Anthurium grows in many forms, mostly evergreen, bushy or climbing epiphytes with roots that can hang from the canopy all the way to the floor of the rain forest. There are also many terrestrial forms which are found as understory plants, as well as hemiepiphytic forms. They occur also as lithophytes. Some are only found in association with arboreal ant colonies or growing on rocks in midstream (such as Anthurium amnicola).

The stems are short to elongate with a length between 15 and 30 cm. The simple leaves come in many shapes; most leaves are to be found at the end of the stems, although terrestrial plants show less of this pachycaul tendency. Leaves may be spatulate, rounded, or obtusege from leathery to fragile and papery. The leaves are petiolate at the apex. They may be borne erect or spreading in a rosette, with a length that may surpass 100 cm in some of the larger species (such as Anthurium angamarcanum). The upper surface of the leaf may be matte, semiglossy, or fully glossy, and the leaf texture may ran and possess a structure called the geniculum, which is unique to the genus Anthurium. The geniculum allows the plant to swivel its leaves towards the sun, much in the same manner as sunflowers. In drier environments, the leaves can form a bird’s-nest shaped rosette that enables the plant to collect falling debris, and thus water and natural fertilizer. Terrestrial growers or epiphytes often have cordate leaves; others grow as vines with rosettes of lanceolate leaves, and still others have many-lobed leaves.

Flowering and fruiting

Anthurium flowers are small (about 3 mm) and develop crowded in a spike on a fleshy axis, called a spadix, a characteristic of the Araceae. The flowers on the spadix are often divided sexually with a sterile band separating male from female flowers. This spadix can take on many forms (club-shaped, tapered, spiraled, and globe-shaped) and colors (white, green, purple, red, pink, or a combination).

Anthurium inflorescence

The spadix is part of an inflorescence, the outer portion of which is known as the spathe. The spathe may be a single color (yellow, green, or white) or possibly multicolored including burgundy and red. That sometimes colorful, solitary spathe is a showy modified bract that can be somewhat leathery in texture. Anthurium grown for the florist trade generally have highly coloured spathes and spadices. There are no flowers on the spathe as is sometimes thought; flowers are found solely on the spadix. The spathe can vary in color from pale green to white, rose, orange or shiny red (such as A. andrenaum). The color changes between the bud stage and the anthesis, (the time the flower expands). Thus the color might change from pale green to reddish purple to reddish brown.

The flowers are hermaphrodite, containing male and female flowers. The fruits are usually berries with one to multiple seeds on an infructescence that may be pendant or erect depending on species. Anthurium berries may range in colour from bright red to black, and may also be bicoloured or shaded. The flowers of Anthurium give off a variety of fragrances, each attracting a variety of specific pollinators. All Anthurium flowers are poisonous if eaten.

Cultivation

Like other Aroids, many species of Anthurium can be grown as houseplants, or outdoors in mild climates in shady spots. They include forms such asA. crystallinum f peltifolium with its large, velvety, dark green leaves and silvery white venation. Most hybrids are based on A. andreanum or A. scherzerianum because of their colorful spathes. They thrive in moist soils with high organic matter. In milder climates the plants can be grown in pots of soil. Indoors plants thrive at temperatures between 16°C-22°C (60°F-72°F) and at lower light than other house plants. Wiping the leaves off with water will remove any dust and insects. Plant in pots with good root systems will benefit from a weak fertilizer solution every other week. In the case of vining or climbing Anthuriums, the plants benefit from being provided with a totem to climb.

Anthurium andraeanum bicolor flowers above leaves

[edit]Propagation

As with most Aroids, new plants can be grown by taking stems cuttings with at least two joints. Cuttings can be then rooted in pots of sand and peat moss mixtures. These pots then should be placed in greenhouses with bottom heat of 21°C-24°C (70°F-75°F). During the rooting process they should be kept out of direct sunlight. Once rooted the plants can be transplanted to larger pots or directly outside in milder climates. A second way to propagate Anthurium is to take stem cuttings particularly from trailing varieties and place them in water. In four to five weeks the plant should develop roots and can be transferred to pots. The final method is through direct planting of mature seed or berries.

Species

For a full list, see List of Anthurium species

Such a large genus cannot be described by a few general terms. Schott, in his book Prodromus Systematis Aroidearum (1860), grouped the then known 183 species in 28 sections. In 1905 Engler revised these sections into 18 sections. In 1983 Croat & Sheffer came up with the following sections:[3]

Sampaguita

Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) is a sweetly scentedtropical flower. Belonging to the wide genus ofJasmines (Jasminum), Sampaguita is the common name of the species Jasminum sambac. Sampaguita is also known as Philippine Jasmine, Arabian jasmine,Pikake in Hawaii, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Kampupot, and Melati .

Varieties of Sampaguita

There are three varieties of Sampaguita, commonly referred to as Single Petal, Double and Double-Double. The double layered Sampaguita are called ‘kampupot,’ which are less fragrant. The three major varieties: ‘Maid of Orleans’, ‘Belle of India’ and ‘Grand Duke’ – differ from each other by the shape of leaves and flowers structure. The fourth popular variety Mysore Mulli, a variation of the ‘Be

Facts About Sampaguita

  • Sampaguita is considered a symbol of fidelity, purity, devotion, strength and dedication.
  • In the Philippines, the Sampaguita is called by various names: sambac, sampagung, campopot, lumabi, kulatai, pongso, malur and manul.
  • The name Sampaguita is a Spanish term that comes from the Philippino words “sumpa kita,” which mean ‘I promise you.’
  • The Chinese emperor of the Sung dynasty had Sampaguita growing in his palace grounds to enjoy its heavenly fragrance.
  • Even the kings of Afghanistan, Nepal and Persia had Jasmine planted, in the 1400s.
  • Since ancient times, Jasmine has been cultivated for its essential oils.
  • Varieties of Jasmine, like J. grandiflorum, are especially used in perfumes.
  • Though, Sampaguita (unlike other Jasmine varieties) is not a key ingredient in top-price perfumes, its scent and makeup have given it important uses.
  • Sampaguita has been used for hair ornamentation in India, China and Philippines as well.
  • Malaysians scent the hair oil from coconut with Sampaguita scents.
  • Sampaguita is also used medicinally. Its perfume is believed to relieve a many ailments including headaches and promotes a feeling of well being.
  • Sampaguita roots were used to treat wounds and snake bites. The leaves and the flowers have antipyretic and decongestant properties
  • Sampaguita flower extract acts as a deodorant.

Growing Sampaguita

  • Sampaguita plant cuttings are easy to root. More plants means more blooms at one given time and the more fragrance!
  • Plant them in 3 gal pots. The plants are both full sun or shade tolerant.
  • Use a good potting soil (with lots of organic matter like peat moss and humus).
  • If the plant is exposed to certain conditions for a long time it gets used to them, and may get stressed after the conditions change significantly. However, gradual change should be fine.
  • The smaller the plant, the easier it gets adjusted to new conditions.
  • The potting mix must be well-drained. Never use top soil or garden soil for potting to avoid rotting in roots.
  • All Sampaguita plants need lots of light for blooming. Bright light along with regular fertilization will encourage blooming.
  • Move the plant into a larger pot every spring or when the plant overgrows the pot.

Sampaguita Plant Care

  • Fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer from spring through fall.
  • The stems should be tied to supports and keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season.
  • Pruning of sampaguita should be taken up after flowering to keep the plants thinned and shaped.
  • Protect from frost in temperate regions.
  • As a tropical plant, the Sampaguita loves heat, it grows best when the soil around it stays moist but not soggy.
  • Do not over-fertilize or over water.
  • Bigger flowers need plenty of sun.

lle of India’.

  • Maid of Orleans: Single with five rounded petals
  • Belle of India:Semi-double or single (single and double flowers on the same plant) with elongated petals
  • Grand Duke of Tuscany: clusters of flowers (sometimes single flower). Only the central flower is truly double-rossete. Side flowers are semi-double, and like miniature rosesJasminum commonly known as jasmines, is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World. Jasmines are widely cultivated for the characteristic fragrance of their flowers

    Description

    Jasmines can be either deciduous (leaves falling in autumn) or evergreen (green all year round), and can be erect, spreading, or climbing shrubs andvines. Their leaves are borne opposite or alternate. They can be simple, trifoliate, or pinnate. The flowers are typically around 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in diameter. They are white or yellow in color, although in rare instances they can be slightly reddish. The flowers are borne in cymose clusters with a minimum of three flowers, though they can also be solitary on the ends of branchlets. Each flower has about four to nine petals, two locules, and one to four ovules. They have two stamens with very short filaments. The bracts are linear or ovate. The calyx is bell-shaped. They are usually very fragrant. The fruits of jasmines are berries that turn black when ripe.[6][7]

    The basic chromosome number of the genus is 13, and most species are diploid (2n=26). However, natural polyploidy exists, particularly in Jasminum sambac (2n=39), Jasminum flexile (2n=52), Jasminum primulinum (2n=39), and Jasminum angustifolium (2n=52).[6]

    Distribution and habitat

    Jasmines are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australasia.[8] Of the 200 species, only one is native to Europe.[9] Theircenter of diversity is in South Asia and Southeast Asia.[7]

    Although not native to Europe, a number of jasmine species have become naturalized in Mediterranean Europe. For example the so-called Spanish jasmine or Catalonian jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) was originally from Iran and western South Asia and is now naturalized in the Iberian peninsula.[6]

    Jasminum fluminense (which is sometimes known by the inaccurate name “Brazilian Jasmine”) and Jasminum dichotomum (Gold Coast Jasmine) areinvasive species in Hawaii and Florida.[10][11] Jasminum polyanthum also known as White Jasmine is an invasive weed in Australia.[12]

    Taxonomy

    Species belonging to genus Jasminum are classified under the tribe Jasmineae of the olive family (Oleaceae).[6] Jasminum is divided into five sections—Alternifolia, Jasminum, Primulina,Trifoliolata, and Unifoliolata.[4]

    The genus name is derived from the Persian Yasameen (“gift from God”) through Arabic and Latin.[13][14][15]

    [edit]Species

    A double-flowered cultivar of Jasminum sambac in flower with an unopened bud. The flower smells like the tea as it opens.

    Species include:

    Cultivation and uses

    Widely cultivated for its flowers, jasmine is enjoyed in the garden, as a house plant, and as cut flowers. The flowers are worn by women in their hair in southern and southeast Asia. The delicate jasmine flower opens only at night and may be plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed, then stored in a cool place until night. The petals begin to open between six and eight in the evening, as the temperature lowers.

    [edit]Jasmine tea

    Green tea with jasmine flowers

    Jasmine tea is consumed in China, where it is called jasmine-flower tea (茉莉花茶; pinyin: mò lì huā chá). Jasminum sambac flowers are also used to make jasmine tea, which often has a base of green tea, but sometimes an Oolong base is used. Flowers and tea are “mated” in machines that control temperature and humidity. It takes four hours or so for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavour of the jasmine blossoms, and for the highest grades, this process may be repeated as many as seven times. Because the tea has absorbed moisture from the flowers, it must be refired to prevent spoilage. The spent flowers may or may not be removed from the final product, as the flowers are completely dry and contain no aroma. Giant fans are used to blow away and remove the petals from the denser tea leaves. If present, they simply add visual appeal and are no indication of the quality of the tea.

    In Okinawa, Japan, jasmine tea is known as sanpin cha (さんぴん茶).

    Jasmine syrup

    Jasmine syrup, made from jasmine flowers, is used as a flavouring.

    Jasmine essential oil

    Jasmine essential oil is in common use. Its flowers are either extracted by the labour-intensive method of enfleurage or through chemical extraction. It is expensive due to the large number of flowers needed to produce a small amount of oil. The flowers have to be gathered at night because the odour of jasmine is more powerful after dark. The flowers are laid out on cotton cloths soaked in olive oil for several days and then extracted leaving the true jasmine essence. Some of the countries producing jasmine essential oil are India, Egypt, China and Morocco.

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