Seaside, salt tolerant plant - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Piscidia piscipula, Jamaica Dogwood, is native to Central America and is a small tree, reaching heights of 10-20 feet. It is a popular ornamental specimen tree, with its pink flowers and foliage that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Jamaica Dogwood is an ethnomedical plant, with its roots to be used for medicinal purposes.

Jamaica Dogwood tolerates full sun and regular irrigation, but is not as robust as other species in its class. The tree does not require a great deal of water and can even withstand the occasional dry spell. Its moderate water requirements make it a great choice for those living in dry climates with limited water resource capabilities.

Due to its moderate salt water tolerance, Jamaica Dogwood can be grown near seaside areas, and can even tolerate saline soils. Therefore, it can be grown in USDA Zones 9-11. Plant care in a pot in cold regions should be taken as the tree can survive in colder climates, but may need to be provided with extra insulation.

Jamaica Dogwood can be used as an accent tree in coastal locations, as it is somewhat protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. If planted in a seaside location, provide the tree with protection from salt spray. The tree is also poisonous or toxic, so provide children and animals with a bit of extra caution around the tree.

Desmodium umbellatum is suitable for protection planting and erosion control on beaches and sand dunes. The leaves are eaten, it has medicinal properties and it can be used as fodder and are browsed by animals.

It grows well under a variety of conditions and habitats, coping with summer, winter and year-round rainfall, temperate to subtropical climates, from the coast to the mountains and forests to grasslands, where it is often found on rocky koppies or among boulders. It is frost tolerant and also copes with wind and sea-spray.

Ornamental vine with Showy, violet, trumpet shaped flowers up to three inches across. Can be used as a background shrub if allowed to sprawl at the rear of a bed. It's also pretty clambering up a mail box or lamp post.

Thunbergia laurifolia is similar to Thunbergia grandiflora. The difference is the Thunbergia laurifolia has narrower, glabrous leaves while Thunbergia grandiflora has broader, hairy leaves with larger lobes.

Mucuna sloanei is a fast-growing and undemanding vine. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and only needs regular water. They need support or something to climb on, like a trellis, fence, arbor, or pergola. The woody stems can grow up to 35 ft long and can be used to hide unsightly fences or walls. It produces exceptionally fragrant yellow and orange flowers throughout the warm months of summer and are attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds. The flowers give way to what is known as "yellow jade" beans which ripen from green to black in the fall. The long, rope-like stalk hangs below the forest canopy where night-flying bats can easily access the fragrant blossoms.

The vine produces pods which contain several beans that are extremely buoyant and well adapted for ocean dispersal. Known to beachcombers around the world and commonly called "sea beans", they often wash ashore on the beaches of distant continents and tropical islands. This one is the most common species of sea bean that washes ashore on beaches of the southeastern United States.

Mucuna sloanei has ethnomedical uses in South America and is popular for seaside plantings as it is salt tolerant.

The name Brown Hamburger Bean is because of the beautiful seeds (looking like little hamburgers) that are often collected and polished by natives and made into lovely necklaces, bracelets and other handicraft items.

Mucuna sloanei can be grown in USDA Zone 9-11. Growing in a pot requires frequent watering, regular re-potting to ensure it has enough space to stretch its roots and warm sun preferably, but it can survive in semi-shade for a short time. If you live in cold regions, it is best to bring the pot indoors for winter. Water the planter uniformly and do not let any part of soil become dry. Move the container to protected area to shield it against bear winters and cold spells and keep it in a warmer temperature.

The seeds are poisonous and contain L-DOPA and other potentially toxic substances.

Dracaena sp. (Dracaena) is a popular houseplant that is grown for its ornamental foliage. It is a large shrub that can grow up to 5-10 ft tall or a small shrub that grows 2-5 ft tall. It thrives in full sun, shade, or semi-shade and requires moderate watering. It is cold hardy down to 30s F for a short time and is also tolerant of seaside and salt conditions. It can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11.

Dracaenas are easy to care for and have a tropical appearance. They can tolerate low light conditions and are often used in both homes and offices. The cultivars have colorful striped foliage and most grow best in bright, indirect light. However, many can also tolerate lower light levels. If a plant that has been growing in dim light is moved to a brighter spot, the new leaves will be thicker and stronger and the growth rate will increase. When watering, allow the soil surface to dry to the touch before thoroughly watering the plant. Avoid using cold water and try to keep the humidity high by occasionally misting the foliage. Use a standard commercial houseplant potting mix and fertilize with liquid foliage plant fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer months. Alternatively, time release fertilizer pellets can be used. If the plant's stems become too long and bare, cut them off at the desired height and new leaves will soon appear.

Dracaenas are generally resistant to plant diseases, but may be affected by too much or too little water, insects, and mites. Root rot can occur if the soil mix does not drain quickly or if the plant is overwatered. Scale insects and mites are the most common insect pests. Dry tips and edges may be caused by low humidity, while round dry patches and streaks on the leaves may be caused by excessive sunlight. Sudden loss of many leaves can be caused by temperature changes, drafts, too much water, poor drainage, or heavy insect infestations. Leaf tips and margins may burn or turn yellow if the plant is fertilized too heavily.

This evergreen vine or creeper is native to Central and South America and prefers to grow in full sun to semi-shade and moist boggy or aquatic conditions. It can tolerate regular flooding or salt spray along coasts and also tolerates water logged soils. Perfect for bog or pond edges.

Rhabdadenia biflora is an evergreen and quite resilient vine or creeper that produces magnificent off-white and white blooms from summer to fall. It has the ability to tolerate both salt spray and flooding, making it the perfect choice for seaside gardens or to line ponds or swampy areas. It is suitable for USDA Zones 9-11, and has the ability to handle temperatures down to 28°F, although it prefers warmer climates and may require some protection in areas with colder winters.

Grow Rhabdadenia biflora in full sun to semi-shade, in moist, well drained soil that is enriched with organic matter. It may need regular water in hot, dry periods, but be careful not to overwater, as the plant may become prone to root rot. If you live in an area with very cold winters, you may want to plant your vine in a container and move it to a sheltered spot during the winter months.

Rhabdadenia biflora is a vigorous vine so it needs to be pruned regularly to maintain its shape. If you have planted it in a pot, prune the roots and stems back during the spring to encourage growth and flowering. Provide a support structure for the vine to climb on, such as an arbor or trellis, and consider attaching it securely if the vine is quite large. When it comes to fertilizer, feed your vine once or twice a year with a well-balanced fertilizer.

Rhabdadenia biflora is a highly ornamental and versatile plant, perfect for providing a lush and tropical look in any warm climate garden. Even in cold regions, it can bring a little bit of the tropics to your backyard with just a bit of extra care.

Beautiful orange flowers will become a white edible fruit. According to the legend, the name Geiger Tree was bestowed by Audubon in memory of John Geiger a Key West 19th century pilot and wrecker. The very showy tubular orange flowers are up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter (4 cm). They appear scattered over the tree, most of warm season. The fruits are oval shaped, 1 to 1.5 inches long (2.5 to 4 cm) with a whitish color. They are borne in clusters. Although they are edible and have a pleasant fragrance, they have poor flavor.

See article about cordia.

The family includes about 50 genera and 550 species, both tropical and subtropical, with many of them prized for their wood, edible fruits, and ornamental qualities. A. indica is pinnate-leafed, has unwinged seeds. Outdoors, in locations where temperatures don't drop much below freezing, it may reach up to 50 feet tall. It will grow where rainfall is as little as 18 inches per year and thrives in areas that experience extreme heat of up to 120 degrees F. They are reported to live for up to 200 years. The people of India have long revered the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). For centuries, millions have cleaned their teeth with neem twigs, smeared skin disorders with neem-leaf juice, taken neem tea as a tonic, and placed neem leaves in their beds, books, grain bins, cupboards, and closets to keep away troublesome bugs. The tree has relieved so many different pains, fevers, infections, and other complaints that it has been called "the village pharmacy." As long as 4,000-4,500 years ago, various parts of the neem tree were used in beauty and medicinal products by the ancient East Indian Harappa. India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other areas of southern Asia currently include this plant extract in soap, toothpaste, and other personal products. Most recently, neem-based products have found their way into the American and European mainstream markets. The plant used cosmetically and medicinally by many cultures for centuries, also offers an environmentally safe alternative to synthetic pesticides as well. A. indica extract has been used to treat a wide range of ailments, including wounds, burns, sprains, bruises, earache, headache, fever, sore throat, shingles, fungal infections, acne, skin diseases, ulcers, and periodontal diseases. Extracts from this plant are also currently being investigated for use against retroviruses, such as the AIDS virus; for treating cancer, diabetes, and allergies; and for birth control in both men and women. A. indica insecticidal properties were recognized by the native Americans, who used it as a tick repellent. See more facts about Neem Tree and Article about Neem tree.

Evergreen tree, medium size. This small tree likes damp costal swamps, but is also cultivated as ornamental for its long, hanging strands of pink or white flowers which are comprised in numerous filaments. Bunches of flower buds are hanging down from the branches, flowers with sweet fragrance bloom in the nights of June to August. Leaves are huge, up to 2 ft long and 4-5" wide, with toothed edge, very tropical looking. They are spiraled at the end of branches.