Piper - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 4)

Peperomia scandens (Hanging Peperomia) is a low-growing groundcover, reaching a maximum height of 2 feet. Easy to care for, it makes an ideal houseplant for beginners. This plant thrives best in full sun or semi-shade outdoors, or in a bright spot indoors, but can tolerate moderate shade. For best results, water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out about halfway between waterings. In colder regions, the plant should be grown in a pot, as it is sensitive to frost.

Peperomia scandens is an easy to care for ornamental houseplant with attractive foliage. The small plant is a slow-growing perennial, reaching an approximate height of 2-5 feet with its trailing stems. Its foliage is made up of dark green, glossy leaves resembling those of Heartleaf philodendron. This plant is a great choice for adding an exotic touch to your home and is grown in USDA Zone 10-11.

This plant adds a dramatic element to any home or garden. It's perfect for brightening up those shadowy corners in your home, with its lush foliage. It's a great choice for indoor gardeners, as it requires minimal care and attention. Simply give it adequate sun, regular watering, and adequate drainage and your Peperomia scandens will thrive.

About a thousand species of Peperomias have been described, mainly from South America although a few (17) are found in Africa. Many of these plants are perennial epiphytes growing on rotten logs and they have thick stems and fleshy leaves, some with leaf windows. Most Peperomias have tiny flowers which are packed into a characteristic greenish or brown conical spike like an inverted catkin. A few species have more attractive flowers such as the white scented clusters of spikes produced by P. fraseri.

Peperomias are best cultivated in a light, well drained compost containing plenty of humus and do well in shallow containers. Coming from tropical rain-forest habitats, they love warm humid conditions and most need a minimum temperature of 50 - 55°F. However, the stems and foliage can be prone to rotting and Peperomias should be watered sparingly from below (especially in winter) using soft water, avoiding wetting the crown of the plant.

Eucalyptus is an enormous and fascinating genus that accounts for more than two-thirds of Australia's vegetation. The only major environment where they are absent is rainforest. There are about 12 species which occur naturally outside of Australia, while around 700 are Australian endemics. Only 2 species are not found in Australia. One of these, Eucalyptus deglupta, is the only eucalyptus to be found growing naturally in the northern hemisphere, occurring in the southern Phillipines, New Guinea and Indonesia.

Essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus have attracted interest since the earliest days of settlement in Australia. One of the first articles of export from the newly established colony of New South Wales in 1788 was a quarter of a gallon of an essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of Eucalyptus piperita growing on the shores of Port Jackson. Eucalyptus therapeutic properties attracted interest of the botanist Baron Ferdinand von Mueller so he prompted a Victorian pharmacist colleague, Joseph Bosisto, to investigate the commercial production of its essential oil. In 1852 operations were started. This was the beginning of the Australian essential oil industry. By 1900 the industry was firmly established, and for the next fifty years Australia remained the world's largest supplier of eucalyptus oil.

Most species of Eucalyptus go through a change from round and stem-clasping juvenile foliage to long and willowy mature foliage. Some people think of Eucalyptus as those large trees in Australia with willowy leaves that Koalas eat, and others imagine cute little silvery stems used in floral bouquets. Indeed, they are both Eucalyptus: the smaller stems and leaves represent the young plants, and the long willowy leaves come from mature trees.

Many eucalyptus species from desert or subtropical regions have showy flowers, those are usually a bit more cold sensitive. Very often Eucalyptus is regarded as not being hardy outside of the subtropics, which discourages people from planting them in cooler areas. However, most of the species are cold hardy. Practically all of them can withstand some frost. A large number of species are very hardy, withstanding hard freeze for many hours. Some of them can be grown in real cold areas with snowy winters (USDA zone 8 or colder). Eucalyptus hardiness makes this tree very desirable for exotic gardeners in different types of climates.

Besides cold hardiness, these trees have many other advantages: they help to control aphids and other insects, most of them will grow rapidly even in poor soil (as fast as 12 ft per year), and they are very attractive. Eucalyptus foliage is excellent for cut foliage in floral arrangements.

Eucalyptus is much faster growing than most other trees in cultivation and once planted in the ground, can be expected to grow 6 - 12 ft each year, as long as the young tree is healthy and not root-bounded (this is why it is recommended to go with a smaller size eucalyptus plant - it will grow much faster and better than its bigger root-bounded sister). They never go dormant and are able to grow whenever they have access to water and a little warmth, regardless of time of the year. They do better in cultivation than they in their natural habitat in Australia as most gardens and landscapes offer good soil, and freedom from competition - neither of which they usually get in their homeland. A good heavy mulch around the base of the tree will be a big plus.

This medicinal plant related to Lantana is widely cultivated in Mexico as an ornamental for its aromatic foliage and beautiful flowers. The essential oil composition is unique to each plant, but may include piperitone, geranial, neral, caryophyllene, camphor, eucalyptol, limonene, and many others. The leaves are used for flavoring foods, such as mole sauces from Oaxaca, Mexico. The plant is used medicinally for its somatic, sedative, antidepressant, and analgesic properties.

Leaves and roots are used to make tea or syrup for cough relief and are said to relieve symptoms from anxiety to flatulence and hypertension.

Just brushing past it releases a wave of spicy, citrusy fragrance. It is an herb garden must-have. Fast-growing, drought-tough, flood-friendly, and practically indestructible - it thrives where other plants fail! Whether you re into healing herbs, culinary magic, or just want the best-smelling plant in your garden - this is it.

Mint (Mint sp.) is a perennial herb that belongs to the Mentha genus, which is a large group of well-known herbs that are widely distributed throughout the temperate parts of the world. There are several different species of mint, including:

Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens) - This hardy perennial is a very robust grower. Apple mint has interesting light green leaves that are somewhat hairy on the upper surface and downy underneath, with serrated edges. They can grow up to 3 feet high, but should be kept trimmed to a shorter height.

Curly Mint (Mentha spicata variety crispii) - This plant is valued more for its intricately curled, fringed leaves than for its fragrance. The foliage is dark green and lightly splotched with a contrasting lighter green. They can grow up to 2 feet high and are known to be invasive. Chefs often use curly mint for garnishes, but prefer the pleasant flavor of spearmint and peppermint.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) - This creeping mint is used occasionally as a ground cover in cool climates. It has many stems that grow up to 12 inches high and are covered with small, round to oval, dark green leaves. In the summer, it produces bluish-lilac blossoms. Pennyroyal has a pleasant lemony aroma and is used to flavor meat puddings and fish entrees.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - This spreading plant has a sharp, penetrating yet pleasant, mint aroma. It grows 1 to 2 feet high, but can reach 3 feet when in bloom. The lance-shaped leaves are deeply notched when mature and the flowers are usually purple.

Pineapple Mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') - Pineapple mint is a variegated hybrid of apple mint with white or cream blotches on its leaves. It does have a slight pineapple scent, but the aroma isn't always detectable. This mint is good for garnishes because the thick leaves are slow to wilt.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) - This plant is similar to peppermint, but has a milder, sweeter flavor. It grows up to 3 feet tall and has dark green, lance-shaped leaves with a pointed tip. The flowers are typically pink or purple.

Water or Bog Mint (Mentha aquatica) - This mint is native to wetland areas and is adapted to growing in wet soil. It has a strong mint aroma and produces small, pink or purple flowers.

Mint is known for its carminative properties, which means that it helps to soothe the digestive system and relieve bloating and gas. It also has antiseptic properties and has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Aromatherapy and massage practitioners often use peppermint essential oil to stimulate circulation, ease muscle fatigue, and reduce pain. The scent of peppermint is said to have a refreshing and invigorating effect, helping to increase alertness and reduce stress.

Peppermint is a popular ingredient in many recipes, and is often used to flavor teas, desserts, and other dishes. It is also used as a garnish or decorative element in culinary dishes. Mint plants are easy to grow and can tolerate a variety of conditions, including full sun or semi-shade locations. It prefers regular watering. Mint plants are also tolerant of occasional flooding and are best grown in USDA Zone 5-10

An easily grown palm for both the tropics and warm sub-tropical areas (it is apparently cold sensitive). It prefers shade when young, although it does take full sun at quite a young age. It likes a moist, well drained soil, and doesn't like to dry out. This palm is the basis of a large industry in SE Asia, where the seed is chewed for its intoxicating properties, as well as its supposedly beneficial side effects, such as aiding digestion, and controlling internal parasites and dysentery.