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Ivy
Ivy is a creeping evergreen plant that attaches to the surface it grows on, although care must be taken to make sure it does so in a controlled way. It can climb vertically or sprawl across the ground. The fruit the plant produces provides food for a variety of different birds, and insects feast on…
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Jasmine
Jasmine is a sweet smelling plant that is renowned for its ornamental beauty and distinctive fragrance. Jasmine is also used frequently in making tea, syrup and essential oils. Description Jasmine has small white flowers, although some species have bright yellow, with long shoots that climb. Typically, each flower will have about four to nine petals,…
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Jatropha podagrica
The plant Jatropha podagrica is also known as goutystalk nettlespurge, Guatemalan rhubarb, purging-nut, gout plant and the Buddha belly plant. Description The Jatropha podagrica is distinct in its looks with a trunk that looks belly or bottle shaped in appearance. The trunk has long stems coming off it with either lobed leaves or coral shaped…
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Kalanchoe
The Kalanchoe is a popular indoor plant which is quite small (usually between 2 and 4 inches tall) and easy to care for. It is a flowering plant and features delicate clusters of flowers which are white, pink, red or orange. Description The Kalanchoe plant has fleshy leaves which retain water very well, much like…
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Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a member of the Kalanchoe genus and was first described by botanist Michel Adanson in 1763. It is said to have received its name from a Chinese species of the plant. Description This plant has green, glossy leaves, which have scalloped edges. These can become tinged with red when exposed to direct…
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Kalanchoe thrysiflora
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora was first described in the book, Flora Capensis, published in 1861. The word kalanchoe is a corrupted Chinese name and thyrsiflora is Greek. This refers to the thyrse, or cluster of flowers, that are on the stems of the Kalanchoe. Other names for the Kalanchoe thyrsiflora include flapjacks or paddle plants because of…
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Kentia Palm
Also known as the Sentry palm, the Kentia palms evergreen qualities make it an attractive ornamental plant all year round. The plant is currently considered ‘vulnerable’ by the World Conservation Union due to its decline in numbers over recent years. Description A bushy plant, the Kentia palm can grow to be quite large, with leaves…
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Lithops
When found in their natural habitat, Lithops are often mistaken for small pebbles due to their short stature, grey/brown colour and rounded heads. Because of this appearance, they are more commonly known as Living Stones. Description These succulents are generally about 2-4 inches (5-10 centimetres) in diameter and only the ‘body’ of the plant can…
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Ludisia orchid
Ludisia is more commonly known as the jewel orchid, though its full name is Ludisia discolor because of its two distinct colours; dark leaves and lightly coloured flowers. Description Ludisia Orchids are distinctive due to their deep red and green velvet textured leaves, though they do also produce a number of small white and yellow…
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