Springtime in Charleston!

My recent visits to Charleston, SC have been revealing little previews of what is to come. I have been noticing more and more azaleas, saucer magnolias, and camelias blooming, in addition to other flowering shrubs. I am sure it will only be another week or two before the city is exploding with color! I happened to catch this Cornus florida (Florida dogwood) in peak bloom, and thought I should share. Only a few days later it was already past its prime and beginning to brown. I was unable to get any detailed pictures because this tree was in a gated church yard, but hopefully I will get some up for a feature before the season is finished. One thing I have definitely noticed about the Florida dogwoods in this area, is that they seem to be much healthier and happier than those planted in Oregon. In Oregon it is rare to see a Cornus florida that is not stunted and afflicted with anthracnose, but it is no surprise given the cool, wet weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest. It is always refreshing to see such a potentially stunning plant in an appropriate climate/growing conditions.

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub I.D.

Provided Information: 1)Photo(s):

2) Date: December 3) Location: Corvallis, Oregon 4) Plant type: woody shrub, upright and rounded 5)Environment: commercial landscape 6)Exposure: sun with filtered shade 7) Scent: none 8) Other: creamy colored splotches on leaves, spiny foliage Identification:

1. Name: Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'
2. Family: Oleaceae
3. Origin: Japan
4. Random facts: Goshiki means 'five colors' in Japanese, and refers to the many colors that can be found on the foliage. The colors evolve and adapt as spring pushes to summer, and you may certainly see five distinguishable foliage colors if you paid attention throughout the year. Though tolerant to full sun conditions, this plant better retains its unique color year round when planted in the shade.

*Though similar in appearance, osmanthus is not in the same family as holly. A sure way to tell them apart is that osmanthus has opposite branching, and holly has an alternate branching pattern.

Tuesday Terminology:Simple vs. Compound Leaf

Here is set of essential vocab words to know for identifying plants. It is important to be able to look at a plant and determine what a single leaf consists of. Believe it or not, this can be trickier than it sounds. Here are the 2 most basic types:

Simple leaf: an undivided leaf; one piece beginning from a single bud.

(latin)simplicifolius - with simple leaves

Compound leaf: A single leaf divided into multiple leaflets, beginning from a single bud.

(latin) compositus - put together, made up, united, compound

*Practice note: To determine if you are looking at a simple or compound leaf, look for the originating bud at the base of the petiole (stem). A leaf always begins at the bud, but a leaflet will not be directly attached at the bud. There are many forms of compound leaves, so always be sure to look for the bud of origin. As the season goes on there will be more examples of simple and compound leaves, and they will be pointed out in future posts.

Monday Plant Feature

Featured Plant: Name: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (redleaf Chinese fringe-flower,redleaf Chinese loropetalum)

1. Family: Hamamelidaceae (witch hazel family)
2. Plant type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
3. Exposure: Sun or shade
4. Branching pattern: Alternate
5. Habit: Spreading and arching branches, creates a rounded yet flat topped shrub that may read 4-10 ft tall depending on the cultivar. Often grows wider in spread than it does in height.
6. Foliage: small simple leaves with a rosey glow. The degree of redness correlates to the moisture and fertility of the solid the individual plant is in.
7. Flowers: Strap-like petals, giving it the name 'fringe-flower.' generally in pink and red shades but also may be white. Clusters of 3-6 are located in the leaf axis. Spring flowers, fragrant.
8. Fruit: Insignificant part of the plant
9. Similar species: Loropetalum chinense (green leaf species of Chinese fringe-flower)
10. Other: Particularly common in Southern gardens, this plant is also gaining popularity in the Pacific Northwest and other areas of the country where it doesn't get too cold.

Herbaceous Perennial I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photos:

2. Date: March
3. Location: Washington, D.C.
4. Plant type: Flowering perennial
5. Environment: Garden
6. Exposure: Shade with filtered sun
7. Scent: None
8. Other: Speckled flowers point down like a bell. Glossy dark green leaves are deeply divided with a palmate pattern.

Identification:

1. Name: Helleborus x hybridus (lenten rose, Christmas rose, hellebore). More specifically, this particular plant is likely to be Helleborus x hybridus 'Gold Finch' (Gold finch lenten rose), which is a newly developed variety which is clonally propagated via tissue culture.
2. Family: Ranunculaceae
3. Origin: China
4. Random facts: Though toxic, hellebores have mythical and medicinal associations dating back to the ancient Greeks. They are considered to be a powerful plant, partly owing to the fact that they bloom as early as December. If they are planted outside one's door, they are supposed to provide protection from demons. When brought indoors they supposedly bring security and a cheery environment. Ground up leaves have been used to treat children for worms, cure individuals who are presumed to be possessed of a demon, and even used as a poison on arrow tips.

Tuesday Terminology: Palmate

With the recent palmetto posts I decided it is time to clarify an important term for leaf analysis. Here are the definitions:

Palmate: describing the pattern of lobes or veins of a leaf that all attach to a central point on the stem or petiole.

(Latin) palmatim or palmatus: lobed or divided in the manner of an outspread hand with the sinuses between the lobes pointing to the place of attachment. In the case of the palm picture above, palmate refers to the leaflets of a single leaf that all attach at one point on the petiole. In the future we will also see other examples of leaves that have palmate lobes or veins, as in maple leaves. The Japanese aralia picture below is a good example of a palmately lobed leaf.

*Practice note: Just think of the palm of your hand. When you look at a palmate leaf, the pattern should resemble the shape of your open hand, with the fingers all radiating outward from the central palm.

Monday Plant Feature

Featured Plant:

Name: Sabal palmetto (Cabbage palm, palmetto)

1. Family: Arecaceae
2. Plant type: Evergreen tree
3. Exposure: Full sun, wind and salt tolerant.
4. Branching pattern: Alternate
5. Habit: Branches form a round crown, and lower fronds are dropped creating a smooth trunk. Can grow up to 90-100 ft in height.
6. Foliage: Palmate, though somewhat elongated as if it is partially pinnate, and arching as well. Grayish green in color.
7. Flowers: In large clusters; insignificant feature of this tree.
8. Fruit: large clusters of small black drupes.
9. Similar species: Sabal minor (dwarf palmetto), Serenoa repens (saw palmetto)
10. Other: Abundant in the coastal southeastern regions of the United States, it is the state tree of South Carolina and Florida. It is also pictured on the South Carolina state flag. The name 'cabbage palm' comes from the fact that the leaf buds can be harvested and eaten in salads or cooked as 'swamp cabbage.' However, harvesting the buds stunts the growth of the tree.