Ornamental foliage - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 92)

This is a "living fossil" plant, surviving on earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Cardboard Palm belongs to the Cycad family (cycad is greek for "palm" which many cycads resemble). Other cycads include Coontie Palm and Sago Palm (neither of these are really palms!) Cardboard Palm has 3 to 4 foot leaves that emerge from a central point forming a rosette. When grown in bright sunlight the rosette becomes a 3 foot high clump of tightly overlapping leaves that will slowly grow to 6 feet in diameter. The thick leathery leaves are pinnate and have 5 inch long by 1 inch wide oval leaflets. They are slightly fuzzy and feel a little like cardboard when rubbed (hence the name Cardboard Palm!) The foliage emerges from a thick fleshy trunk that serves as a water reservoir in times of drought. Male and female reproductive structures (cones) form on separate plants. Even very young plants produce these interestingly shaped cones. When ripe, the female cone breaks to reveal an array of tightly packed, bright red 1 inch seeds. Location Cardboard Palm is native to the warm sandy coastal plains of Mexico and is a common landscape item in tropical and sub-tropical areas all over the world. It is also a popular and easy to grow houseplant. Plant in neutral, well-drained sandy soil. Mulch with organic materials (bark or leaf mold). Sustains leaf damage at 28 degrees F. Cardboard palm makes a great accent or specimen plant. Use near the patio, in mixed foundation plantings or in perennial beds. This cycad is salt resistant and can be used in beachside plantings. Also makes a great container plant for the patio or deck. It is a great houseplant tough enough to survive occasional neglect and harsh indoor environments. Large outdoor clumps are striking as the light olive green new growth emerges to hover above a base of darker mature leaves. Specimens can be grown indoors in shallow containers. Used this way, the partially exposed tuberous stem and the airy crown of leaves create a striking bonsai specimen. With it beautiful shape, exotic looking cones and instinct for survival, Cardboard Palm is one of the favorite indoor plants.

Zamia integrifolia, commonly known as Coontie or Koonti, is a small, woody cycad native to the southeastern United States, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. It is also found in Grand Cayman and the Dominican Republic, but it is believed to be extinct in Puerto Rico. This plant is prized for its medicinal properties and is used to treat digestive and urinary tract disorders, as well as to promote wound healing. It is also popular as an ornamental groundcover due to its low-growing habit and ability to thrive in a variety of soils, including seaside and salt-tolerant areas. In cold regions, Zamia integrifolia can be grown in pots and brought indoors when temperatures drop. It requires full sun or semi-shade and moderate watering.

Zamia integrifolia is found in a variety of habitats with well-drained sands or sandy loam soils and prefers filtered sunlight or partial shade. It is a hardy plant that is easily grown in sub-tropical and warm temperate areas. However, it is becoming increasingly uncommon due to intensive land use. This plant is poisonous and produces a toxin that affects the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. The toxin can be removed by careful leaching, and the roots and half-buried stems were traditionally used by Native American people for their sago-like starch. The root is typically prepared for food by grinding it using a wooden mortar and pestle, and the resulting flour is used in various dishes.

Plant care: Plant in a location that receives full sun or semi-shade and has well-drained sandy soil. Water moderately, making sure not to overwater. In cold regions, the plant can be grown in pots and brought indoors when temperatures drop. Protect the plant from strong winds, as they can damage the leaves. If necessary, prune damaged or diseased leaves to maintain a healthy appearance.

Because Zamia integrifolia is poisonous, take care when handling the plant and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Aroid Palm) is a small shrub reaching 2-5 ft tall, native to Tanzania, Zanzibar and other parts of eastern Africa. With its ornamental foliage and shiny elliptical leaves arranged in upright clusters, this resilient plant is remarkably easy to grow. It tolerates low water and low light conditions, thriving equally well in semi-shade. An excellent choice for a houseplant, it can also perform well in seaside gardens and other warm-climate outdoor settings in USDA Zones 9 11.

Zamioculcas is highly tolerant of salt, making it suitable for outdoor planters in coastal areas. It is also known for withstanding occasional neglect, including infrequent repotting. Water sparingly, as overwatering may cause lower leaves to yellow. When grown in containers, place in bright indirect light or partial shade; plants in full sun will need more frequent watering. In regions with winter frost, move pots indoors to a warm location and monitor for leaf discoloration. Fertilize lightly once or twice a year before growth starts in spring. With its glossy foliage, striking form, and ease of care, Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a standout specimen for both home and office.

Zamioculcas 'Black Dragon' is a rare and highly sought-after variety with foliage so dark it appears almost black. Young leaves emerge bright green and gradually deepen to their distinctive near-black shade as they mature. This dramatic color change, combined with the plant s naturally glossy texture, makes 'Black Dragon' a striking focal point in any collection. Its care requirements match those of the standard form, making it just as undemanding while offering an even bolder visual impact.

This is an old fashioned, but very rewarding garden plant. Zantedeschia is named after Professor Zantedeschi, probably Giovanni Zantedeschi, 1773-1846, an Italian physician and botanist. The flowers are faintly scented and this attracts various crawling insects and bees which are responsible for pollinating the flowers. The spathe turns green after flowering and covers the ripening berries. It rots away when these are ripe and the succulent yellow berries attract birds, which are responsible for seed dispersal. The rhizome is large and eaten by wild pigs and porcupines and the ripe fruit enjoyed by birds. Raw plant material causes swelling of the throat because of microscopic, sharp calcium oxalate crystals. The leaves are used as a poultice and a treatment for headaches. May be used as a marginal plant along streams, or on the edge of a pond. Plant in partial shade if there is no permanent water. It can be planted as a foliage plant in deep shade under trees but will not flower well in this position. It is fast growing and likes very rich, well-drained conditions. It is an excellent cutflower and lasts a long time in water. Nowadays there are other forms of this species which will enliven an old theme. There is also an attractive form with leaves spotted white. Requires consistently moist soil.

See Zantedeschia aethiopica.

Colima is a rounded shrub bearing recurved thorns and red shiny fruit that contrasts well with its bright green leaflets in mid, to late summer. An important wildlife plant, colima is a food source for white tailed deer, many birds, butterfly larvae and butterflies, who sip the nectar from its inconspicuous flowers. Its bark and bitter-tasting aromatic leaves are powdered and used as a condiment, while its wood produces a yellow dye. The flowers, leaves and fruit have an aroma of citrus.

This species is distributed from southeastern Viet Nam to the south of high central Viet Nam and extends to the eastern parts of Cambodia. Though rather common in southeastern Viet Nam, this species has only recently been described. The species is listed as Vulnerable. Species Authority: Mood and Theilade. In Pham (2003) this species is misidentified as Zingiber acuminatum.

The foliage is stunning. Its really a show stopper in the yard. Grows in shady places in evergreen to semi-evergreen forest undergrowth. Usually found as single plants, but rarely forming large clumps.

Zingiber malaysianum, more commonly known as Black ginger or midnight ginger, is a small plant native to Malaysia. Growing between 2 and 5 feet tall, it requires semi-shade and regular watering to thrive. The ornamental foliage, which is a glossy deep purple-bronze in color, pairs nicely with its yellow and orange flowers in the spring and summer periods.

This semi-tropical plant is hardy to USDA Zones 9-11 and can tolerate mature temperatures of at least 30sF for a short time. When growing Black Ginger in colder regions, special care should be taken to ensure its winter survival. Planting the shrub in a container and then bringing it indoors during colder months is often recommended, as this will give the plant a greater chance at withstanding freezing temperatures.

In addition to being brought indoors during colder months, the plant must be provided with plenty of light and humidity. The soil should remain damp enough to support growth but should also be able to dry out slightly between waterings. During dry spells, Zingiber malaysianum should be watered more frequently, as it does not like to become too dry. In the summer months, additional fertilization is recommended to give the shrub a boost of nutrients and to promote healthy growth.

Overall, Zingiber malaysianum is an easy-to-care-for shrub, requiring semi-shade, regular watering, and protection during cold winter months. With its striking, glossy foliage and yellow and orange flowers, this small shrub adds both beauty and color to any garden.

This ginger has tall, erect stems with narrow leaves, this basal bloomer produces green cones that turn red when mature. It is a herbaceous perennial with upright stems and narrow medium green leaves arranged in two ranks on each stem. Ginger grows from an aromatic tuberlike rhizome (underground stem) which is warty and branched. The inflorescence grows on a separate stem from the foliage stem, and forms a dense spike. The bracts are green with translucent margins and the small flowers are yellow green with purple lips and cream colored blotches. Most of edible gingers in cultivation are sterile cultivars grown for the edible rhizome, and the flower is rarely seen. Ginger is often grown in a container and brought indoors in winter when water and light are reduced and the plant is allowed to "rest." Common cooking gingers are rarely found in garden centers as potted plants because they do not have much ornamental value. Plant this ginger in the garden to produce your own fresh ginger.

Zingiber spectabile (Beehive Ginger) is a small plant typically found in the Malaya region, and is known for its ornamental foliage, fragrant yellow and orange flowers, and mature plant's hardiness in cold temperatures. The mounding plant can reach up to 2-5 ft in height and width and prefers a location with full sun to semi-shade exposure, and regular watering. In USDA Zone 10-11, the Beehive Ginger displays a lovely display of flowers from July through late November.

Grown in pots, this plant still needs plenty of water, and should be able to tolerate temperatures at least as low as 30s F for a short amount of time, if given sufficient protection from harsh wind and cold. Watering should be done consistently and preferably with plain water, so as to not damage the soil's pH levels. For added protection against chilly climates, top the soil with a layer of mulch to help hold in the moisture and add an extra layer of insulation. Be sure to fertilize the Beehive Ginger regularly to ensure healthy growth.

Pinecone ginger is considered a canoe plant, that is, a plant introduced throughout the Pacific by the ancient Polynesian settlers. All parts of the pinecone ginger are spicy fragrant. The leaves and inflorescences of the pinecone ginger arise from a thick knobby rhizome that grows just under the surface of the soil. The leaflets are arranged alternately along an arching pseudostem that grows one to two meters (3 to 7 feet) in length. The inflorescence is borne on a separate pseudostem from the leaves. It is a spike; bracts subtend the position of each of the flowers giving the inflorescence its pinecone shape. The inflorescence is green until flowering. The pale yellow or white flowers emerge from the lowest bracts first, when the flower is spent, it dries and falls away. After flowering, the bracts change color. The color change continues upward until the entire inflorescence is bright crimson. This is an excellent fast-growing landscape plant for tropical effect, and the cone shaped flowers are long lasting and useful for cut flower arrangements. This plant is most widely known around the world as the "Shampoo Ginger" for the milky substance in the cones, and it is in fact used as a shampoo in Asia and Hawaii, and as an ingredient in several commercial shampoos. In mid to late summer, separate stalks grow out of the ground with green cone-shaped bracts that resemble pinecones. The green cone turns red over a couple of weeks and then small creamy yellow flowers appear on the cone.