Tecomaria capensis Aurea, Tecoma capensis Aurea

This is a sprawling plant that, if left unpinned, puts out long stems and becomes almost a vine that needs some kind of support. Usually kept clipped, it is often used as a low hedge. It has attractive, light green foliage and frequent displays of long, tubular yellow flowers at the ends of the stems. Cape Honeysuckle needs very well-drained soil and prefers full sun, but will bloom in filtered light; flowering is best is slightly cooler climates.

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Tecomaria capensis Salmon, Tecoma capensis Salmon

Rare variety of tecomaria with very bright, orange colored flowers. This plant stays compact unlike other tecomarias . It's an eye catching flower that appears all year round.

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Tecomaria capensis, Tecoma capensis

This is a fast growing sprawling plant that, if left unpinned, puts out long stems and becomes almost a vine that needs some kind of support. However, it can be trained even into a standard little tree. If kept clipped, it can be used as a low hedge. It has attractive, dark green foliage and frequent displays of long, tubular flowers that may be yellow or bright orange at the ends of the stems. Cape Honeysuckle needs very well-drained soil and prefers full sun, but will bloom in filtered light; flowering is best is slightly cooler climates. Propagation is by means of seeds, cuttings, or branches that root when they lie on the ground.

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Telosma cordata, Telosma minor

Very heavy lemon-like fragrance is similar to Ylang-Ylang. Clusters of golden yellow blooms form along the vining stems during summer months. Individual blooms emerge successively over a period of weeks emitting a rich, heavy fragrance that's reliable day or night. Used for lais in Hawaii, it grows vigorously during the long warm days of summer with growth slowing and eventually coming to a standstill throughout the winter. Hardy Zone 10 and higher. Full or partial sun, grows to 2-3' in a container, vining in habit, minimum temperature 60°F, blooms in spring summer and fall.

This ornamental and fragrant climber is fried or boiled in several South East Asian recipes. The cut flowers are sold in markets wrapped in banana leaves. These flowers are tasty, rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins A et C.

article about Pad Dok Kajon with a recipe.

Theobroma cacao

Varieties: Red , Yellow. Season: October-January. This beautiful tree has large dark green leaves that shade the fruit pods which grow directly from the trunk and branches. The flesh is eaten as a dessert, and the seeds are the raw material of chocolate. Hot chocolate can be made by drying the seeds, roasting, grinding, and adding milk. Chocolate beans were used as money by the Maya Indians of Central America. The red pods are larger and have more abundant flesh. Cocoa is prepared by grinding the beans into a paste between hot rollers and mixing it with sugar and starch, part of the fat being removed. Chocolate is prepared in much the same way, but the fat is retained. Oil of Theobroma or butter is a yellowish white solid, with an odor resembling that of cocoa, taste bland and agreeable; generally extracted by expression. It is used as an ingredient in cosmetic ointments and in pharmacy for coating pills and preparing suppositories. It has excellent emollient properties and is used to soften and protect chapped hands and lips. Theobromine, the alkaloid contained in the beans, resembles caffeine in its action, but its effect on the central nervous system is less powerful. Its action on muscle, the kidneys and the heart is more pronounced. It is used principally for its effect due to stimulation of the renal epithelium; it is especially useful when there is an accumulation of fluid in the body resulting from cardiac failure, when it is often given with digitalis to relieve dilatation. It is also employed in high blood pressure as it dilates the blood-vessels. It is best administered in powders or cachets. See Article about Drink of the Gods.