TopTropicals Plant Catalog

This catalog is for information only. If you don't see the price - the plant is not for sale.

click on image to enlarge

Pictogram Guide you may also see symbol definition in a pop-up window by mouse-pointing on pictogram

Naturalised in many parts of India. It is a vigorous perennial climber, known for its dense green foliage and small delicate lantern shaped flower in long trailing lovely sprays. The plant has large tuberous roots and several ascending branches of 30-40 feet length. It flowers in all seasons except for a short period during monsoon. The flowers are white or in attractive shades of red and pink. The creepers grow well over arbours, pergolas, bunds and walls. Regular pruning keeps the plant in good shape. Too much food causes vigorous vegetative growth at the expense of flowering. Propagation can be done by seeds, layers, stem cuttings or from division of the roots.

Requiring full sun and sandy, well-drained soils, this plant is excellent for seaside locations since it is highly salt- and drought-tolerant. Plants should be well-watered until established and then should only require occasional pruning to control shape and develop structure. The contorted, twisting trunk (which can grow to 2 feet or greater in diameter) and upright branching habit makes this an interesting, picturesque shade tree or specimen planting.

About 150 species of mainly evergreen shrubs, trees and vines make up this tropical American genus. They have leathery leaves of variable shape and produce spikes or panicles of very small separate male and female flowers. The flowers are succeeded by segmented purple fruit, edible in some species (Coccoloba uvifera) and of economic importance locally.

These tropical plants will not tolerate prolonged cool temperatures and do best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Some are highly adapted to seashore conditions. Propagate from seed or cuttings.

Species and varieties:

Coccoloba ceibensis

Coccoloba pubescens

Coccoloba rugosa

Coccoloba subcordata

Coccoloba uvifera

Sea Grape is now found growing wild along many seashores and is also used as an ornamental in gardens subjected to salty winds and drought. It has stiff, rounded platter-like leaves shading from yellowish to olive green with prominent veins. The flowers are inconspicuous but the long clusters of berry-like fruit which follow are striking and give the tree its popular name. Somewhat acid in taste, the fruit can be used to make jelly. Other members of the genus have even larger leaves and make attractive ornamental plants when grown in a glasshouse. Coccoloba prefers full sun. Pruning improves the shape when it is used in a garden landscape. It is both flood and drought tolerant.

Homalocladium platycladum is an interesting plant; the flat usually leafless stems resemble tapeworms. Fall-Winter The small green flowers appear at the joints of stems and are followed by red fruits.

Homalocladium platycladum will grow in full sun to full shade, but seems to do best in partial shade.

Homalocladium platycladum is easily propagated by cuttings or by seed.

They prefer full sun (with some midday shade) and moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Prune to keep in bounds and shape. Propagate from seed or summer cuttings or pre- rooted layers.

The quickest cover for an ugly wall or building is the Polygonum baldschuanicum which can make 20ft of growth in one summer. But take care it does not get out of control. Cutting back side shoots will give you thicker, grape-vine like stems.

This is a small to medium-sized tree of with a pyramids-shaped, thick crown and glossy green leaves. The female flowers are pink, and male flowers are green. It toletrates some cool temperatures.

See picture of flowers