Flowers: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Strawberry banksia review

Banksia menziesii, commonly known as firewood banksia, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Banksia. It is a gnarled tree up to 10 m (35 ft) tall, or a lower spreading 1–3 m (4–10 ft) shrub in the more northern parts of its range. The serrated leaves are dull green with new growth a paler grey green. The prominent autumn and winter inflorescences are often two-coloured red or pink and yellow, and their colour has given rise to more unusual common names such as port wine banksia and strawberry banksia. Yellow blooms are rarely seen.

First described by the botanist Robert Brown in the early 19th century, no separate varieties of Banksia menziesii are recognised. It is found in Western Australia, from the Perth (32° S) region north to the Murchison River (27° S), and generally grows on sandy soils, in scrubland or low woodland. Banksia menziesii provides food for a wide array of invertebrate and vertebrate animals; birds and in particular honeyeaters are prominent visitors. A relatively hardy plant, Banksia menziesii is commonly seen in gardens, nature strips and parks in Australian urban areas with Mediterranean climates, but its sensitivity to dieback from the soil-borne water mould Phytophthora cinnamomi makes it short-lived in places with humid summers, such as Sydney. Banksia menziesii is widely used in the cut flower industry both in Australia and overseas.

Strawberry banksia

Moon orchid flowers

Moon orchid

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Rose Diadem Flowers

Rose Diadem

melaleuca flowers

melaleuca flower

Melaleuca Flower

Melaleuca Fulgens Flower

Anemone 'Galilee' Flowers

Anemone 'Galilee'

These are wild field flowers in Palestine and almost certainly the wild anemones that were referred to by Jesus as the lilies of the field in His sermon on the mount, as they still grow wild near the Lake of Galilee.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Gayfeather Flowers Images

Gayfeather

Gayfeather Video

Feverfew Flowers

Feverfew is an effective treatment for migraine headaches. Feverfew grows widely across Europe and North America. The name Feverfew is from the latin word, febrifuga, meaning "to lower fevers". The genus name, Tanacetum, is derived from anthanasis, meaning "immortal", as the flowers are long lasting. Cultivated for centuries, Feverfew has been used, like aspirin, primarily as a pain buffer. Feverfew inhibits the formation of two natural chemicals found in the body, prostaglandin and serotonin. Feverfew contains niacin and iron plus vitamin A and vitamin C. Helping regulate normal body functions, Feverfew works with the body to help heal itself. Used to relieve severe headaches, migraines and reduce fevers by cooling the body, Feverfew also helps to ease a wide range of ailments. Reducing inflammation, Feverfew is used for relieving pain linked to arthritis and reducing painful menstruation. Other uses for Feverfew have been for inflammatory skin problems, asthma and stimulating the appetite. Feverfew contains a range of compounds known as sesquiterpene lactones. Over 85% of these are a compound called parthenolide. Parthenolide helps prevent excessive clumping of platelets and inhibits the release of certain chemicals, including serotonin and some inflammatory mediators. This may reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of migraine headaches and improve blood vessel tone.

Feverfew

Allium 'drumstick' flowers

Allium 'drumstick'

Allium Drumstick Plant Growth

Allium Drumstick Flowering Plant