February 08, 2008

Witch Hazel

Hamamelis sp.

Spring is coming!  Asian species of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.), such as this one growing in the Wabash College Arboretum, bloom in late winter.  These shrubby plants take advantage of brief spells of warm weather when a few pollinators are out and about.  Witch hazel is commonly known for its medicinal uses--bark and leaf extracts can soothe inflamed eyes, bruises, or other wounds.  According to "The Plant-Book" this species' common name is derived from the Old English word "wych", a term for pliant branches.  The flowers have a very sweet scent--take a whiff as you pass by!

Posted by ingrama at 03:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Banana!

Musa x paradisiaca

Have you ever wondered where those bananas in the grocery store came from?  They don't normally grow in Indiana, but if you stop by the greenhouse you can see some!  The banana plant  (Musa x paradisiaca) is a large, herbaceous, tropical plant that produces its flowers in the elaborate purplish inflorescence depicted below.  The bananas grow out of it in upright clusters.  Once the fruits have been harvested, the plant can be chopped down and another plant will sprout from the roots.  

 

Posted by ingrama at 02:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)