Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 2 Jul 2024

What is the most useful tree in the world?

Moringa oleifera - Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree

Moringa oleifera - Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree

Moringa oleifera - Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree

Moringa oleifera - Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree

Moringa oleifera - Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree

Moringa oleifera - Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree

🌐 What is the most useful tree in the world?



💚 One of the most versatile and valuable trees known to humanity is Moringa oleifera, also called: Horseradish tree, Bridal veil, Horseradish tree, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree. It is indeed considered one of the most useful trees in the world. This reputation stems from its wide range of nutritional, medicinal, and practical applications.

💚 Moringa is a beautiful flowering tree with fragrant white flowers. It produces long green pods (looking like drumsticks!) and the seeds have been compared to a cross between peanuts and asparagus.

💚 Moringa leaves are rich in vitamins (A, B, C, E), minerals (calcium, potassium, iron), and amino acids, and have strong antioxidant properties. they are used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation. Moringa can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

💚 Almost every part of the tree is edible, including the leaves, pods, seeds, and flowers. Each part has its unique nutritional profile and culinary uses. Used in teas and cooking.

💚 The roots are used as a substitute for horseradish and the edible leaves make a highly nutritious vegetable. The roots have also been used in many folk remedies.

💚 Many Moringa products produced commercially: leaves, powder, oil. Moringa oil, extracted from the seeds, is used in cosmetics, skincare products. Seeds can be used to purify water, making it safer to drink.

💚 The plant can be used as a natural fertilizer and pesticide. Leaves are used as a nutritious feed for livestock.

📚 Learn more: How to grow a happy Moringa Tree

🛒 Plant your own Moringa Tree and save the Planet

#Food_Forest #Remedies

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 26 Jul 2024

What are the most interesting edible gingers?

Boesenbergia rotunda - Chinese Keys Ginger, Fingerroot, Kra Chai

Boesenbergia rotunda - Chinese Keys Ginger, Fingerroot, Kra Chai

Curcuma longa - Turmeric, Spice Turmeric, Longevity Spice, Indian Saffron.

Curcuma longa - Turmeric, Spice Turmeric, Longevity Spice, Indian Saffron.

Zingiber officinale - Spice Ginger, Cooking Ginger

Zingiber officinale - Spice Ginger, Cooking Ginger

Zingiber officinale - Spice Ginger, Cooking Ginger

Zingiber officinale - Spice Ginger, Cooking Ginger

🍱 What are the most interesting edible gingers?



Boesenbergia rotunda - Chinese Keys Ginger, Fingerroot, Kra Chai. A medicinal and culinary herb from China and Southeast Asia. It is used in Javanese cuisine in Indonesia, as well as in Thai cooking where it is called krachai. In the west it is usually found pickled or frozen. Kra Chai is used as a male tonic, vigor, health promotion, longevity, aphrodisiac.

Curcuma longa - Turmeric, Spice Turmeric, Longevity Spice, Indian Saffron. Turmeric powder might well be the healthiest spice on Earth. Made by grinding this dried root, this ancient superfood and key ingredient in curry powder has been used by Indian Ayurvedic healers for centuries.

Zingiber officinale - Spice Ginger, Cooking Ginger - the one you eat with sushi! Plant this ginger in the garden to produce your own fresh ginger for pickling or healthy lemonade.

📚 More gingers in previous posts:


5 most beautiful flowering gingers
Alpinia formosana x zerumbet Variegata - Variegated Ginger
Costus spicatus x woodsonii - Red Button Ginger, French Kiss
Hedychium coronarium - Butterfly Ginger
Kaempferia angustifolia - Laos Silver Stripe

What is your favorite Ginger? Share in comments👇

🛒 Shop Gingers

#Shade_Garden #Container_Garden #Food_Forest


🔴 Join 👉 TopTropicals

Date: 27 Jun 2024

Is Magnolia edible? Vanilla Magnolia: its for cooking!

Florida Sweet Bay - Vanilla Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Florida Sweet Bay - Vanilla Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Florida Sweet Bay - Vanilla Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Florida Sweet Bay - Vanilla Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

Florida Sweet Bay - Vanilla Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

❔ Is Magnolia edible? Vanilla Magnolia: it's for cooking!



💮 Florida Sweet Bay, or Vanilla Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) has beautiful flowers with strong vanilla fragrance, while the leaves offer unique culinary uses.

🔹 Strong vanilla scent: fragrance can be noticed hundreds of yards away.
🔹 White, delicate blooms.
🔹 Unique leaf flavor: fresh leaves have a distinct taste, fun for cooking. Sweet Bay offers unique cooking flavors.
🔹 Prefers moist, acidic soil conditions, tolerates flooding, ideal for wet spots in your yard.
🔹 Pest-free: no bugs or other pests.

🛒 Shop Magnolia trees

#Trees #Perfume_Plants

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 3 Jun 2024

Craving a Mojito? Beat the Summer heat with Mojito Elephant Ears!

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Mojito

Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

Colocasia sculenta Mojito

🍹 Craving a Mojito? Beat the Summer heat with Mojito Elephant Ears!

Colocasia sculenta Mojito, a spectacular variety of Elephant Ears, is a must for a rare plant collection:

🐘 Striking variegation: bold, mottled leaves in shades of green and dark purple, reminiscent of a refreshing mojito!

🐘 Large, impressive leaves: massive, heart-shaped leaves that create a dramatic and tropical look.

🐘Versatile: thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden locations.

🐘 Water-loving: ideal for bog gardens, ponds, or as a stunning addition to water features.

🐘 Container friendly: perfect for pots and containers, allowing you to bring its tropical charm to patios and balconies.

🐘 Fast growing: quickly establishes, providing lush foliage and rapid visual impact.

🐘 Low maintenance: minimal care once planted, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

🐘 Heat and cold tolerant: performs well in warm climates. During cool winters, leaves may die back and regrow in Spring.

🐘 Edible tubers: produces edible corms (roots) that are a staple in many cuisines, adding a functional aspect to its beauty.

🐘 Unique garden accent: an eye-catching focal point or accent plant.

🛒 Get some Mojito for your garden

#Nature_Wonders #Food_Forest #Container_Garden #Shade_Garden

🏵 TopTropicals

Date: 28 May 2024

Can you eat bird-looking flowers? You can eat the whole tree!

Sesbania grandiflora - Hummingbird Tree

Sesbania grandiflora - Hummingbird Tree Red flower

Sesbania grandiflora - Hummingbird Tree Red flower

Sesbania grandiflora - Hummingbird Tree White flower

Sesbania grandiflora - Hummingbird Tree White flower

Can you eat bird-looking flowers? You can eat the whole tree!



🐧 Sesbania grandiflora - Hummingbird Tree - is named for its flowers resembling little birds.

🐧 It produces a mass of large, 3-4", curved flowers from November to June. Flowers can be coral red or white.

🐧 The fun part is - the flowers are edible! As well as the rest of the plant: tender leaves, green fruit (bean pods), and flowers, used in curries, salads, or fried in batter.

🐧 Medicinal uses: bark, leaves, gums, and flowers have medicinal properties.

🐧 Lower branches form a beautiful floral canopy. It is a fast growing, but a small tree that will fit any yard. Great everblooming tree for container culture.

🛒 Get an edible Hummingbird Tree

#Food_Forest #Remedies #Butterfly_Plants #Container_Garden #Fun_Facts

🏵 TopTropicals