Argyreia nervosa, Argyreia speciosa

A native of eastern India and Bangladesh, this vigorous twiner will grow 30 ft (9 m) or more into the treetops, but can be trained over a post or stump and kept trimmed to a moundlike form. A dense white down covers both young stems and leaf undersides. The leaves are ovate-cordate, to 1 foot across, white tomentose beneath with lateral veins conspicuous on the undersides. Tight clusters of trumpet-shaped bright pink flowers about 2 in (5 cm) across on pedicels to 6 inches long appear among the foliage in spring and summer. In a tropical climate cultivation is simple, the plants making very vigorous growth in a sunny position in moist soil. In cooler climates they can be grown in a sunny conservatory, but due to their rampant growth will need frequent cutting back. Propagate from seed or cuttings. Used medicinally in India. The roots and seeds of Elephant Creeper have been used as a support of the nervous system, a geriatric tonic and mild aphrodisiac. The whole plant is reported to have purifying properties. It is also taken to help maintain healthy joints.

Asclepias incarnata

This pretty flower is an erect, clump-forming, Missouri native plant which is commonly found in swamps, river bottomlands and wet meadows throughout the State. It typically grows 3-4' tall on branching stems. Small, fragrant, pink to mauve flowers (1/4" wide), each with five reflexed petals and an elevated central crown, appear in tight clusters (umbels) at the stem ends in summer.

Flowers are followed by attractive seed pods (to 4" long) which split open when ripe releasing silky-haired seeds easily carried by the wind. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies as a nectar source. In addition, swamp milkweed is an important food source (albeit somewhat less important than upland species of Asclepias) for the larval stage of Monarch butterflies.

Genus name honors the Greek god Asklepios the god of medicine. Specific epithet means flesh-colored.

Easily grown in full sun. Tolerant of average well-drained soils in cultivation even though the species is native to swamps and wet meadows. Plants have deep taproots and are best left undisturbed once established. Foliage is slow to emerge in spring.

Sunny borders, stream/pond banks, butterfly gardens. A good plant for low spots or other moist areas in the landscape.

Stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut.

Bambusa sp.

All tropical forms of bamboo are fast growing plants that can reach tree-like proportions. It is more than just a decorative plant, is also a major producer of oxygen, great to have around. Bamboo is the most fast growing plant in the world. Some varieties were reported to grow as much as 3-4 ft a day. The plant requires moist soil, can tolerate a few days of flooding, but won't tolerate soggy conditions for a very long time.

Bambusa vulgaris, a stylish oriental plant, is the bamboo to thrive indoors. With an excellent life expectancy it can be relied upon to create a long and lasting impression. There are 3 varieties sold under Bambusa vulgaris: Bambusa vulgaris (yellow stems), Bambusa ventricosa (green, bumpy stems), and Bambusa siamensis (smooth green stems). It is advisable to plant them in a large pot because they can die if the root ball is allowed to dry out. Can torerate a small amount of light. B. melangensis - one of the most fast and tall growing varieties. Most of bamboo are hardy to frost, and some are hardy to as low as 16-18F.

Barringtonia acutangula

Barringtonia acutangula is native to coastal wetlands in southern Asia and northern Australasia, from Afghanistan east to the Philippines and Queensland. The plant is used medicinally in fold remedies. Its bark contains potent opioid painkillers

Barringtonia asiatica, Mammea asiatica, Barringtonia speciosa, Agasta asiatica, Butonica rumphina

This curious plant grows in sand or sand-mix with lots of water and sun. The stem will reach for up to 60Ft, and the flowers are white. It can be reproduced by seeds. What seems to be a caudex is just the large nut which will disappear by time. In habitat it is a large tree that grows on sandy and rocky shores, it has large leaves held in rosettes at the ends of branches. The young leaves are a beautiful bronze with pinkish veins. Old leaves turn yellowish. The flowers are delightful puff balls of white stamens tipped with pink. They open at night and attract large moths and nectar-feeding bats with their heavy scent. The next morning, the flower stamens are usually found strewn beneath the tree. The fruits have a typical lantern shape and float on the water. The fruit can survive drifting on the sea for long distances and for periods of up to 2 years. They were among the first seeds to arrive on the island of Krakatau when it first emerged out of the sea. The outermost layer of the fruit wall is green turning brown when ripe. The middle layer is spongy and contains air sacs to help the fruit float. The innermost layer is hard and thick to protect the seed (the layers of spongy and hard coverings are somewhat similar to the coconut). All parts of the tree contain saponin, a poison. The seeds and other parts of the plant are pounded, pulped or grated to release the poison and used to stun fish in freshwater streams. The floating seeds are sometimes used as fishing floats. A colorful shady tree, it is commonly planted as a roadside tree. The heated leaves are used to treat stomach ache and rheumatism (Philippines); seeds are used to get rid of intestinal worms.