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Medinilla
Medinilla is a relatively large genus of around 150 species, all of which are flowering plants. The Medinilla magnifica is a tropical shrub and a well-known species of this genus. Description The large oval-shaped dark-green leaves are pattered with lighter green veining. The large pink flower heads can reach 20 inches (50 centimetres) in length.…
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Miniature rosa
Also know as the Pygmy rose or China rose, Miniature Rosa (pronounced RO-za) is the name given to miniature roses and they are a scaled-down version of one of the most instantly recognisable flowers in the world. It can be either grown indoors or in the garden and first became popular in the 1800s. Description They…
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Monstera deliciosa
The Monstera deliciosa is a popular, easy-to-maintain houseplant more commonly known as the Swiss Cheese plant. Its nickname comes from the plant’s leaves, which contain perfect holes and slits, just like Swiss cheese. It is, in fact, a creeping vine, which grows up and around tree trunks in the wild. Description This is a tall,…
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Mother in law’s tongue
Mother-In-Law’s Tongue is a popular houseplant, possessing striking looks while being extremely easy to care for. Its botanical name is Sansevieria, although it is also commonly known as Snake Plant or Devil’s Tongue. Description The leaves on Mother-In-Law’s Tongue resemble small swords pointing upwards and have a marbled pattern as well as having yellow tips…
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Musa
Musa is a genus of plant that features more than 50 species, including bananas and plantains. The name Musa comes from a translation of its name in the Arabic language ‘mouz’. Description The large, long leaves of the Musa are a vibrant green, often with purple blotches, and the plant has a trunk-like stem from…
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Neoregelia
The Neoregelia is a plant genus containing roughly 40 species of epiphytes, which is a plant that grows on another plant or on object. The genus was named in honour of Eduard August von Regel, who was director of St. Petersburg Botanic Gardens in Russia from 1815 to 1892. Description Neoregelia plants range from large…
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Nepenthes
This plant is more commonly known as the pitcher plant and is a carnivorous plant, meaning it feeds on living creatures for nutrients. Nepenthes’ name (pronounced ne-PEN_thayz) is derived from the legend of a magical potion which is said to make people forget all their suffering. Description Nepenthes live in tree branches without being parasites…
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Nephrolepsis
Pronounced NEF-ro-lep-is, Nephrolepis is also called the sword fern or Boston fern. Its name comes from the Greek word nephro meaning ‘kidney’ and lepis referring to a ‘scale’, which in this case refers to the shape of the leaves. Description The Green Fantasy variety of Nephrolepis has frilly, bright green fronds in a compressed shape.…
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Nertera granadensis
Pronounced ner-Ter-ra (from the Greek word ‘neteros, which means ‘low down’), the Nertera granadensis is also known as pincushion, bead plant and coral bead because it has neat and compact foliage that is decorated with a dense layer of bright and colourful ‘beads’. Description The Nertera granadensis is a creeping, mat-forming plant that produces star-shaped…
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Nolina
Nolina – or to give its botanical name, Beaucarnea recurvata – is also known as ‘elephant’s foot’ or the ‘ponytail palm’. While it is not a true palm, the term ‘elephant’s foot’ comes from the large caudex at its base that stores water, which makes it look like the foot of an elephant. Description Nolina…
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