Habenaria repens - the tiny Dancing Water-Spider orchid, Floating Orchid, a dancing fairy, sprite, sylph, pixie - or a water nymph?
💞 If you look closely, this native orchid really does look like it is dancing. The tiny, spidery flowers of Habenaria repens seem to hover in motion, giving rise to its charming common name - Water-spider Bog Orchid, also called Floating Orchid.
💞 Habenaria repens is one of the few orchids that can live both on land and in water. It naturally grows in wet ditches, marshes, meadows, and along pond and lake edges, and it can even form floating mats in still water. In warm climates, it may bloom almost year-round, sending up tall flower spikes packed with 10-50 delicate greenish-white blooms. The narrow, spider-like petals and lip are designed to attract pollinators, while the light green sepals blend perfectly into wetland surroundings.
💞 This orchid produces several yellow-green leaves along its stem, with smaller leaves near the flower spike. It prefers consistently moist to wet conditions and slightly acidic soil. In cultivation, it does best in bog gardens, shallow pond margins, alongside carnivorous plants like pitcher plants, or even in containers kept very wet.
💞 Small, subtle, and easy to overlook at first glance, Habenaria repens rewards anyone who stops and looks closely. Once you see that little flower dancing, you will never forget it.
❓ What does this tiny flower look like to you?
A dancing fairy, sprite, sylph, pixie - or a water nymph?
Watch how to squeeze natural shampoo from the Ginger!
Shampoo Ginger, Zingiber zerumbet, Pine Cone Ginger
💄 Watch how to squeeze natural shampoo from the Ginger!
🎆 Shampoo ginger uses and fragrance
Shampoo Ginger, also known as Zingiber zerumbet or Pine Cone Ginger, is one of those plants that sounds too good to be true - but isn’t. This tropical ginger has been used for centuries not just as an ornamental plant, but as a practical, fragrant, everyday resource.
🎆 Natural shampoo from a flower cone
The most famous use of shampoo ginger comes from its bright red, pine cone-shaped flower bracts. When the cones mature, they fill with a milky, slippery liquid. Simply squeezing the cone releases this natural cleanser, traditionally used as shampoo in Asia and Hawaii. It gently cleans hair, leaves it soft, and adds a light, fresh scent. Even today, extracts of shampoo ginger are still used in commercial shampoos and hair products.
🎆 Fragrance throughout the entire plant
Shampoo ginger isn’t just useful - it smells amazing. The leaves, stems, and cones all carry a warm, spicy fragrance typical of true gingers. The scent is fresh and clean, with earthy and slightly citrusy notes. Because of this, the plant has also been used in traditional body rinses, hair treatments, and natural perfumes.
🎆 More than hair care
Beyond shampoo, the cones are popular as long-lasting cut flowers, often used in tropical floral arrangements. The plant itself grows into a lush, leafy clump that adds strong tropical character to gardens, especially in warm, humid climates.
🎆 A plant with a traveling history
Shampoo ginger is also known as a “canoe plant.” Ancient Polynesian voyagers intentionally carried it across the Pacific as they settled new islands. Its usefulness, fragrance, and beauty made it valuable enough to earn a place on long ocean journeys.
Shampoo ginger is a rare mix of beauty, history, fragrance, and function - a plant that proves some of the most interesting garden plants are also the most practical.
Cherry of the Rio Grande quick compote: quick-n-fun exotic recipes
Cherry of the Rio Grande quick compote over pancakes
Eugenia aggregata - Cherry of the Rio Grande fruit
🍴 Cherry of the Rio Grande Quick Compote
This fast cherry compote is made from Cherry of the Rio Grande
(Eugenia aggregata). It is tart, rich, and perfect over pancakes,
waffles, toast, or warm bread.
Ingredients
1 cup Cherry of the Rio Grande fruit, pitted
2 to 4 tablespoons water
Instructions
Place cherries and water in a small saucepan.
Simmer over medium heat until the cherries soften and release juice.
Mash lightly with a spoon for a chunky texture.
Spoon warm compote over pancakes or bread and serve immediately.
