TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA


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Number of plants found: 5    

Adansonia grandidieri, Grandidier's Baobab, Giant Baobab

Adansonia grandidieri

Grandidier's Baobab, Giant Baobab
Family: Malvaceae    (Formerly:Bombacaceae)
Subfamily: Bombacoideae
Origin: Madagascar
Can be used for bonsaiBig tree taller than 20 ftFull sunModerate waterWhite, off-white flowersDeciduous plantEdible

Native to Madagascar and growing with a massive, cylindrical bole, Grandidier's Baobab, Adansonia grandidieri, can be a large tree, reaching up to 80 ft tall. The tree is mostly found in a restricted area, threatening its survival due to habitat destruction and regeneration. Despite being threatened, Grandidier's Baobab remains very versatile and is popular among bonsai enthusiasts.

Grandidier's Baobab can prosper in full sun, or on rare occasions in partial shade, and needs moderate watering. If grown in cold regions, pots should be elevated to ensure better drainage and should be sheltered during winter. It has a flat-topped, light crown with few branches, and white to off-white flowers. It produces edible fruits, with oil-rich seeds, making it a valuable source of food and fiber for thatching.

Grandidier's Baobab can produce hundreds of fruits, depending on the age and weather conditions, each fruit weighing about 250g. The fruits are orange and oval-shaped with a pulp containing a few large seeds. It has a pleasant taste and can be used to make refreshing drinks, jams, salads, and other desserts. Grandidier's Baobab is also rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants such as vitamin C, phosphorus, and fiber, providing healthy benefits and being an important component of the Malagasy diet.



Adansonia grandidieri, Grandidier's Baobab, Giant Baobab
Adansonia grandidieri, Grandidier's Baobab, Giant Baobab
Adansonia grandidieri, Grandidier's Baobab, Giant Baobab


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/adansonia_grandidieri.htm

Bombax costatum, Bombax andrieui , Red-Flowered Silk Cotton Tree

Bombax costatum, Bombax andrieui

Red-Flowered Silk Cotton Tree
Family: Malvaceae    (Formerly:Bombacaceae)
Subfamily: Bombacoideae
Origin: West Africa
Big tree taller than 20 ftFull sunModerate waterRed, crimson, vinous flowersYellow, orange flowersEthnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Deciduous plantAttracts butterflies, hummingbirdsEdible

The straight bole is spiny, especially when young, and is covered in a thick, corky bark.

The tree is occasionally cultivated in west Africa for its edible calyx.



Bombax costatum, Bombax andrieui , Red-Flowered Silk Cotton Tree
Bombax costatum, Bombax andrieui , Red-Flowered Silk Cotton Tree


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/bombax_costatum.htm

Dombeya burgessiae , Pink Wild Pear, Pink Dombeya, Tropical Hydrangea

Dombeya burgessiae

Pink Wild Pear, Pink Dombeya, Tropical Hydrangea
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Dombeyoideae
Origin: South Africa, Zimbabwe
USDA Zone: 9-11?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallFull sunSemi-shadeModerate waterPink flowersWhite, off-white flowersFragrantAttracts butterflies, hummingbirdsSubtropical, mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time

Tropical Hydrangea. Off-white to pinkish showy flowers in bunches during winter and spring. The large leaves are hairy, with shallow, maple-like lobes. Tolerant to both light frost and periods of drought.

Can be propagated with ease by simply collecting the dried flower heads, which contain the seed.

The new variety "Fragrant White" has flowers with fresh pleasant fragrance.





Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/dombeya_burgessiae.htm

Dombeya burgessiae - Fragrant White

This new variety has flowers with fresh pleasant fragrance.
Tropical Hydrangea. Off-white to pinkish showy flowers in bunches during winter and spring. The large leaves are hairy, with shallow, maple-like lobes. Tolerant to both light frost and periods of drought.

RECOMMENDED FERTILIZER:
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This item is certified for shipping to California.
Grown in
6-10"/1-3 gal pot
 

Dombeya burgessiae - seeds

Pink Wild Pear, Tropical Hydrangea. Pink showy flowers...  more
Ordering seeds info

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Seed Germination Mix #3, professional grade
SUNSHINE-Epi - Seeds and cuttings booster
SUNSHINE Bombino - Young Plant Booster
Per pack: 6 seeds
 


Dombeya cymosa, Natal Dombeya

Dombeya cymosa

Natal Dombeya
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Dombeyoideae
Origin: Africa
USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunSemi-shadeModerate waterWhite, off-white flowersAttracts butterflies, hummingbirds

Dombeya cymosa, also known as the Natal Dombeya, is a large shrub or small tree native to Africa. It typically grows 5-10 feet tall as a shrub, but can reach up to 10-20 feet as a small tree. It is hardy in USDA Hardiness zones 9-11.

In the garden, Dombeya cymosa prefers full sun to semi-shade and moderate levels of water. It is not drought-tolerant and should be watered on a regular basis. The foliage is glossy green and fairly evergreen in warmer climates. The blooms of this plant are white or off-white and star-like, appearing in the late winter or early spring. They attract a variety of pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds.

Planting and care of Dombeya cymosa is easy and rewarding. When planting, choose a spot with well-drained soil, full sun to semi-shade, and water moderately and consistently for best results. For plants in colder regions, grow in containers or pots and move indoors in winter. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering and protect from colder temperatures.

Dombeya cymosa makes an excellent addition to any garden, especially in the late winter and early spring when its star-shaped flowers bring the garden alive with its beauty. With proper care and maintenance, this hardy tree will thrive and bring life to your garden.




Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/dombeya_cymosa.htm

Dombeya cymosa - seeds

Natal dombeya. Small to medium tree with large leaves and white Hortensia-like flowers.
Ordering seeds info

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:
Seed Germination Mix #3, professional grade
SUNSHINE-Epi - Seeds and cuttings booster
SUNSHINE Bombino - Young Plant Booster
Per pack: 6 seeds
In stock
$8.95


Patinoa almirajo, Almirajo, South American Sapote

Patinoa almirajo

Almirajo, South American Sapote
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Bombacoideae
Origin: Colombia
USDA Plant Hardiness MapSmall tree 10-20 ftFull sunRegular waterEdibleFlood tolerant

Almirajo is a little-known fruit tree native to the humid rainforests of the Choco region in Colombia, an area in the north-west of the country bordering Panama and with a long coastline along the Pacific Ocean.

This rare tropical fruit tree used to be planted as a fruit crop in Colombia and Brazil, but is rarely grown at present. The fruit is yellow outside, oval in shape and very large, up to 10" long and 4" wide and resembles in texture its relative Quararibea cordata. It has cream-colored canistel-like pulp, custard-like to mealy, that allows its tasting with spoon. Mostly eaten fresh out-of-hand. Flavor is sweet, and the fruit is rich of vitamin A. It is highly esteemed in its native Colombia, but is little known elsewhere. Its agreeable sweetness and flavor lying somewhere between banana and apple. The fleshy aril, which completely covers the seeds, is considered a delicacy locally.

The tree is evergreen and is a medium-sized, with a straight trunk and a narrow crown. The leaves are oval with pointed tips, up to 9"long, dark green and prominently veined on top, pale green underneath. They are alternately arranged on the stems near the ends of the branches and remain on the tree throughout the year.

Propagated from seeds, which germinate readily. It is commonly associated with Borojo - Borojoa patinoi in its natural habitat, which performs best on free-draining soils of an acid to neutral nature, on sites with filtered or partial sun to light shade. It has poor tolerance to drought but good tolerance to seasonal flooding.




Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/patinoa_almirajo.htm


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