TROPICAL HERB SELECTIONS FROM THE GLASSHOUSE WORKS

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41088 AEOLANTHUS PARVIFOLIUS LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 5.75 Columns of four-ranked, felted aromatic leaves completely hide the small arching stems tipped with soft pink lipped flowers. Very beautiful "Teddy Bear Mint" forms beautiful pot plant or perfect groundcover for taller leggy succulents. Comercial source of soap oils.

60225 AEONIUM LINDLEYII [HORT] CRA CGH HP PRICE: $ 4.00 "Euphorb Antidote" The California clone (we have the old Hummel bloodline) with sticky felted rosettes on wiry stems always appearing to be a species from Mars--juice from the watery succulent leaf reputed to counteract the toxic sap of Euphorbiaceae. May be sent as an URCUT in dry moss.

68006 AGAVE AMERICANA MEDIO-PICTA AGA HP CGH PRICE: $ 45.00 Very dramatic gold central stripes on each potentially massive leaf; does not flower without nearly free root-run. American Indians use this in native medicine as an antiinflammatory

65045 ALOE MACULATA [SAPONARIA] LIL HP CGH PRICE: $ 6.00 "Christmas Candles" From wide fleshy rosette arise spikes with large coral-red tubular flowers mid-winter. Handsome. Called "Soap Aloe" to indicate a practical use of the richly sappy succulent leaves.

65051 ALOE VERA [BARBADENSIS] LIL HP TGH PRICE: $ 4.50 "Burn Aloe" Large fleshy glaucous leaves, spots fading with age; eventual yellow flowers. Nomenclature controversial; origin probably Canary Islands and Barbary Coast, but mentioned even in very ancient Chinese texts on medicine. As this is not the gray surfaced form found in the Canaries, this is considered to have undergone many re-sellections over the centuries and is occassionally designated as the form 'Chinensis.'

53005 ALPINIA SPECIOSA [ZERUMBET] VARIEGATA ZIN HP TGH CGH PRICE: $ 12.00 Used in China for treating infections; here for the strikingly beautiful dark leathery slim leaves striped and slashed with rich yellow. This "Variegated Shell Ginger" constitutes a very handsome evergreen gradually clumping plant tolerating adverse house conditions. Certainly one of the most dramatic Gingers for decorative impact in your house or patio displays. Excellent choice for adding dramatic slashes of gold to your container designs for the summer.

41334 ALOYSIA TRIPHYLLA VER CGH PRICE: $ 6.25 "Lemon Verbena" stiff stems carry fragrant lemon-scented toothed leaves; panicles of white fls. Tropical herb from Argentina and Chile perhaps better known as Lippia citridora. A sedative also used for fevers; The oil is noted for its insecticidal & bactericidal qualities. Cool greenhouse culture is ideal, but does quite well as a windowsill houseplant, perhaps producing fewer of the weird little Lantana-esque blossoms indoors.

41942 BANISTERIOPSIS CAAPII MALP TGH PRICE: $ 25.00 "Ayahuasca" to Indian tribes of the western Amazon region who use its narcotic alkaloids; a strong liana with soft green pairs of leaves; tiny pink flowers. "Vine of the Souls" with complex betacarbolines. New lower price.

62148 BAPHICACANTHUS CUSIA [SUIA] ACAN TGH CGH PRICE: $ 12.00 Large shrubby habit, kneed stems ranked with pairs of dusky decoratively fleshy leaves and topped with tubular lilac flowers. Robert Newman shared this important Thai herb with us. Perhaps best known as "Ma Lan Gen" in traditional Chinese medicine. Seems to demand regular warm temperatures and reliable levels of humidity to thrive.

56886 BEGONIA LUXURIANS BEG HP CGH PRICE: $ 6.50 Exotic wheeled leaflets mimic "Palm Leaves"; tall stem. Requirees even humidity and bright light--can be intolerant of high temperatures.

56127 BEGONIA SANGUINEA BEG HP CGH PRICE: $ 12.00 (s) "Medicine Begonia" From woody bases arise upright stalks weighted with nearly peltate elongated fleshy leaves with their reddish reverse quite visible; white flowers on odd forking cymes; used medicinally in native Brazil. Very slow to establish--be sure to avoid summer heat. We prefer to propagate this to order.

60558 BURSERA FAGAROIDES BUR HP CGH PRICE: $ 12.00 Named for the pinnate leaves resemblence to the Prickly-Ash family such as fellow West-indian native, the Satinwood. Heavy trunks topped by interlaced limber stems with strong fragrance, thus the "Mexican Frankinensense Shrub." Fabulous in the greenhouse succulent collection; handsome as a sunny windowsill potplant; always popular among bonsai fanciers as the leaves remain petite and the trunk becomes more and more swollen with fascinating bark.

50503 CALLISIA FRAGRANS COMM HP TGH PRICE: $ 3.50 Formerly Spironema or Tradescantia dracaenoides. Upright cupped whorls of purple-edged leaves give character of "False Bromeliad"; multiple cascading runners effective in hanging basket use. Vigorous Mexican native. Considered medicinal.

57487 CATHA EDULIS CEL CGH PRICE: $ 15.00Large evergreen shrub from the mountains of Ethiopia where its leaves and shoots are eaten as the stiumulant "Khat" or "Qat" -- the famous "Abyssian Tea" spread by Moslems as "Arabian Tea" thriving in "Bay Laurel" or "Carob" growing conditions. The leaves are thin, thus not easily surviving dry low humidity indoor locations.

41939 CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS BEARD'S UNIQUE APOC TGH HP PRICE: $ 6.50 Much branched "Dwarf Madagascar Periwinkle" with elegant narrow glossy leaves adding sparkle to the petite "Pink Star" blossoms with near white eyes--a chance sport seedling selected by plantsman Beard of Marietta, then re-selected recently for form. Needs full sun to thrive. The genus is now seriously studied as a source for anti-cancer drugs.

40107 CENTRATHERUM INTERMEDIUM COMP CGH PRICE: $ 3.75 "Brazilian Button Flower" Serrate leaves scented of pineapple; bluish-lavender flowers resembling tiny Canadian Thistle blossoms, thus also called the "Martinique Batchelor's Button." Easy culture with bright light, thus excellent for use in outdoor bedding. Newly popular in urns and windowboxes; a traditional favorite in hobby greenhouses and humid plant rooms. Too much fun not to add to your mixed containers.

53716 CERATONIA SILIQUA LEG HP TGH PRICE: $ 6.50 Handsome leathery foliaged "Carob" forms a stout evergreen shrub (avoid frost); tinsy flowers followed by famous chocolate mimic "St. John's Bread" fruit. Easy houseplant; much used as a tropical bonsai subject.

66862 CITROFORTUNELLA MITIS RUT CGH PRICE: $ 6.50 Excellent miniature "Calamondin Orange" popular as a decorative Christmas gift; without doubt, the easist citris to set fruit in your hobby greenhouse--especially popular because the extremely colorful fruit is at its showiest during the Christmas Season when you most need it. Many plant growers have good luck with this in the house on a pebble tray in a sunny spot. Cannot ship to Florida, Texas, Arizona & Western states.

55657 COLEUS CANINUS LAB TGH HP PRICE: $ 4.00 Odoriferous succulent leaves, slightly viscous, on tumbling thick stems; attractive curosity--but when leaves are crushed, beware the "Eau de Firehydrant" fragrance. We received this some years ago from Sydney Botanic Gardens via California's Quail Botanical Garden and are amused that this rather modest plant is now being aggressively marketed as the "Piss Off" or "Scardy Cat" plant reputed to keep cats (and even dogs) at bay. This does not work well here in our observations, but then, none of our cats seems particularly daunted by the canine tribe. Could be that the staff cats consider themselves to be feline rather than canine?

49458 CYDISTA AEQUINOCTIALIS BIG TGH PRICE: $ 15.00 Glossy leaves on shrubby vines (like a stubby allamanda) with terminal clusters of showy cupped trumpet blossoms a richly toned lilac. Central American typically blooming here in November given good light and constant warmth.

41368 CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS CODES PRICE: $ 6.75 "Lemon Grass" or "Fever Grass" Attractive clumping rush-like fragrant grass which is the source of the lemon oil used in oriental cooking, perfumery and medicine. Easily container cultivated. Stops infections; treats spasms; perfect addition to a scented bath--pretty much covers most lifestyles. Quite decorative in an urn as a fragrant patio container grass; yet easily grown on a cool windowsill with direct sun during the winter months in temperate zones.

30187 CYRTOSPERMA JOHNSTONII ARA TGH PRICE: $ 12.50 "Copper Cobra" Bronzy halbert shaped leaves veined in dramatic pinkish umber with blackish blood red underleaf. An amazing Aroid from the Solomon Islands with a deep violet hooded spathe (cobra shaped) to 6" long; prickly pink petioles. Absolutely avoid chill.

54338 DODONAEA VISCOSA PURPUREA SAP HH CGH PRICE: $ 4.75 Attractive "Purple Hop Bush" forms a dense upright shrub w/ resinous woody branches covered w/ upfacing leathery willow like bronzy purple leaves turning dusky copper in lower light intensities; clusters of white fls, then reddish winged seed capsules used as hops by Arizona settlers. Maybe. Actually native to the South Pacific. A beautifully foliaged subtropical in northern climes; an engaging shrub in the lower end of the subtropics; easily grown in a container. To see this is to want it, even if you do not currently brew bizarre beers.

40203 DORSTENIA CONTRAJERVA AMPLIFOLIA MOR HP TGH PRICE: $ 5.00 "Wart Flower" Wider, shallower hypanthodium lobing than the species form (see previous entry) with the typical leaf also less lobed; the thick tuberculed succulent stem is unsegmented. Easy culture. Probably the species known as "Drake's Foot" used as a cure for snakebite in Central & South America, thus also known as "Tortus Herb." Dramatic in a large terrarium, yet quite easily grown on any windowsill--if it (for mysterious reasons) remains unwatered for some extended period of time and drops its leaves, just begin watering again and a new set will soon appear as the pseudo-caudex trunk retains life for a good stretch of time (and remember to keep the dried leaves for your snakebite medical kit). Can you afford not to have this houseplant?

20082 DRYMONIA SERRULATA [SPECTABILIS] GES TGH PRICE: $ 3.00 Clambering stems bear pairs of attractive bronzy leaves with violet-red blushed underleaf; large bell-slipper flowers of soft pearly lemon tones. Unique species used as a snakebite antidote among South American Indian tribes. Usually sent as generous URCuttings in moist sphagnum.

53021 ELETTARIA [AMOMUM] CARDAMOMUM DWARF ZIN HP TGH PRICE: $ 4.25 "Dwarf Cardamom Ginger" Small version of this spice--attractive, easily grown houseplant with wonderfully fragrant foliage quickly clumping in a windowsill pot. A tonic and expectorant, also ingested to aid digestion; belived by some to detoxify caffeine. We most emphatically do not stand by any of these claims!

67423 EUPHORBIA COTINIFOLIA ATROPURPUREA EUP TGH PRICE: $ 10.00 "Hierba Mala" or "Tropical Purple Smoketree" Elegant branching stems of purple with whorls of thin ovate leaves of wine red fading to metallic magenta with red veins; whitish inflorescenceorescence more odd than decorative. Excellent large accent plant, newly popular in large summer urn designs; Remember that (as with various spurge saps) this is a traditional Caribbean fish stunning poison--do not locate near your school of koi.

67264 EUPHORBIA TIRUCALLI EUP HP TGH PRICE: $ 6.00 "Pencil Cactus" or "Milk Bush" Narrow rounded much-forked stems rapidly grow to form a tree. Used in Tanzania to cure sexual impotence and as a mosquito repellent. (We will not refund for this if, after a year, your child support payments increase dramatically.) Very toxic sap--be sure never to get any sap near your eyes. Still one of the best for a long time specimen houseplant in a sunny window free of children--we know of several situated in low humidity professional offices with little care (but next to a big southern window) that have become magnificent plants over the years.
66882 EXCOECARIA COCHINCHINENSIS TRICOLOR FANTASY EUP HP TGH PRICE: $25.00 The merely extraordinary "Tricolor Chinese Croton" with the paired dark leaves not only flashing a brilliant laquer red underleaf, but random pink splashes on the surface as well. Amazing clone of this Asian shrublet. Another imperative addition to any self-respecting collection of rare variegated plants.

40301 FICUS SALICARIA (SALICIFOLIA) MOR HP TGH PRICE: $ 9.50 "Willow Leaf Fig" Masses of narrow leaves (thus also called F. neriifolia as well as F. salicifolia) on upright dwarf multi-trunked trees; perfect bonsai. Roots are said to be chewed as a sterility cure in Zimbabwe! We make no guarantee on curative powers, but believe it an excellent container subject. Newly published under the name of Ficus Salicaria for which information we thank Derek Burch. Whatever its name, this shrubby freely branching beauty is at home in any bonsai pot; however, released into a larger pot or given free root run, this soon achieves wide handsome proportions at which point the beauty of the older bark becomes apparent.

41803 FORTUNELLA HINDSII [TACHIBANA] RUT CGH PRICE: $ 10.00 Brookside Garden released this beautiful petite leaved beauty as Citrus "Tachibana #1565". Very likely F. hindsii-from Hong Kong, this lovely "Dwarf Kumquat" quickly becomes a tiny featured shrub to small tree with small leathery oval leaves; fragrant blossom clusters quickly followed by small rounded orange-red fruit with 3-4 cells, very little juice. This is not a houseplant. Perfect tropical bonsai. Cannot ship to Western States nor to Florida.

40326 GYNURA BICOLOR COMP HP CGH PRICE: $ 4.25 Prostrate stems with deep velour leaves, purple beneath, from swollen root surface; Underated species from the Molluccas excellent in wintertime greenhouse baskets; equally at home cascading from windowboxes or urns in your summertime outdoor plantings. As eager and willing to grow and impress as aurantiaca is willing to disappoint! Too many extra trimmings or cuttings? Don't toss as herbalists consider this species to be a good source of vitamens and "other" nutrients.

53023 HEDYCHIUM CORONARIUM ZIN TGH HP CGH PRICE: $ 12.00 "Butterfly Ginger" Fragrant white flowers top very tall stalks. The heavily perfumed ivory petals are used in Hawaiian leis, hence, also known as the "Garland Flower." Evergreen species easy to grow with good light.

88874 HELWINGIA CHINENSIS [NARROW LEAF] COR HH CGH PRICE: $ 12.00 Lovely "Sichuan Leaf Flower" a graceful shrub with dark slim leaves so fused (with peduncles) to present the yellow flowers and then the purple fruit "on the leaf" (petiole fused to the peduncle). Used as a salad green in Japane. Zone 7. We have now propagated our stock plants because several of our customers asked why in the Helwingia we didn't already offer this quite beautiful botanical oddity.

41102 IBOSA [TETRADENIA] RIPARIA LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 4.00 "Musk Plant" or "Misty Plume Plant" Attractive woody-stemmed shrublet with attractive small musk-scented leaves and creamy-white winter blossom panicles creating a beautiful whispy mist around Christmas time--thus its great popularity with Victorian gardeners and continued fascination for today's hobby greenhousers. Called "Nutmeg Bush" in England; used as a moth repellent in its native Africa. This is the real thing--not the "Iboza" of the trade which is usually the trailing basket plant is more accurately identified as Plectranthus madagascarensis, a cascading mint.

42238 JASMINUM OFFICINALE AUREOVARIEGATUM OLE HP CGH PRICE: $15.00 "Golden Summer Jasmine" The intensely fragrant white cluster of summer & fall blossoms are highlighted by the trifoliate foliage's yellow blotched variegation which varies in its intensity according to temperature and light levels. Given free root run in your greenhouse, this sends out many slim woody vines to support the variegated foliage and sented flowers. This species is famous not only for its supposed qualities as an aphrodiasiac, but also an an antiseptic; often provides that metallic flavor in Maraschino Cherries!

40424 JASMINUM SAMBAC MAID OF ORLEANS OLE HP TGH PRICE: $ 8.00 This "Arabian Jasmine" clone has semi-double flowers of rich fragrance on woody shrubs with pale foliage; considered the best for houseculture by the Elberts--certainly the easiest to bloom indoors. The famous J.s. `Multiplex' in French perfume; traditionally the Chinese use this attractive form to give fragrance to green tea.

60410 KALANCHOE PINNATA CRA HP TGH PRICE: $ 3.50 "Air Plant" or "Miracle Leaf" Most famous "Bryophyllum" for the notched leaves produce clinging adventitious plantlets along their margins even when wrenched from the stout stems and pinned to a curtain. (And if you remember those ads and drawings in the Sunday paper, you have dated yourself considerably.) Native to an astounding range geographically--Americas, Australia, Asia, Africa, etc. Forms a handsome upright succulent subshrub with curious winter flowers (clusters of hanging tubular blossoms with showy inflorescenceated calyx streaked red); a basic houseplant from Victorian times, still in demand today by kids of all ages. And newly popular as a tropical herb with various health benefits.

67399 JATROPHA HASTATA [INTEGERRIMA] COMPACTA EUP HP TGH PRICE: $ 10.00 Fiddle-shaped richly toned foilage on upright shrublet with a constant show of deep rose red flowers in erect clusters as long as good light (full sun if you are as far north as us) is available. Cuban "Peregine" performs well as a container plant. Give bright light and avoid EVER allowing the roots to chill and this will bloom with abandon. For other Jatropha species check the SUCCULENT PLANTS section of this website.

40427 LAURUS NOBILIS LAU HP CGH HH PRICE: $ 6.00 It is quite aromatic beautiful. "Sweet Bay" or "Greek Laurel" Stiff decorative fragrant leaves on erect woody maroon stems make this the ideal "Formally Shaped" shrub candidate. Aromatic leaves are used to flavor food & to yield an essential oil of perfumery and medicine. The plant police will get you if you even attempt to grow a collection of topiary standards and dare to leave laurel out of the group! Will grow in indirect light as well as full sun.Being subtropical, "Sweet Bay" tolerates considerable winter chill until you can bring it out onto your summer patio; nonetheless, with proper pruning (an easy job for good cooks!) this attractive shrub will be happy on your sunny windowsill for years.

41932 LAURUS NOBILIS CRISPA [UNDULATA] LAU CGH HP PRICE: $ 15.00 "Piecrust Bay Tree" Curious selection with each aromatic deep green slim leathery leaf crimped along the margin. This rare cultivar becomes an absolutely stunning topiary, whether clipped into a wide based cone, a pyramid, or cube; or, limbed up as a sturdy trunk topped with a spherical pompon.

88890 LAVANDULA INTERMEDIA DILLY DILLY LAB HT HH PRICE: $ 4.75 A "Hardy Lavender" selected for its Z5 hardiness (if given perfect winter drainage & full sun in summer) and for its large dramatic fragrant violet blue flower spikes reaching a foot in height (usually highlighted with butterflies), fantastic arrayed over the wide spreading bright silver gray fragrant foliage; self-heading to create dense buns.

43148 LIPPIA [PHYLA] ALBA VER CGH PRICE: $ 8.00 Small shrubby tree with dark minutely hairy leaves which, when bruised, give off a stong licorice/anise fragrance. Good container plant for sunny location, tolerating temps in the upper 40s mid winter when it produces many tiny Lantana-like heads of blossoms. This important Asian herb needs adequate humidity to avoid developing a case of red spider infeststion--so (as with "Lemon Verbena") best consideredd a sunny greenhouse plant rather than a house subject.

41727 LIPPIA DULCIS VER CGH PRICE: $ 4.25 The famous "Sweet Herb" known by the Aztec as "Tzopelic Xlhuitl" who used the leaves as a sweetener--just chew the leaf before you take a bite of any fruit or raw vegetable for the sweet sensation! Forms a laterally arching mound studded with many tiny "Lantana" heads with fringes of white Lantana blossoms. We are told by fanciers of tropical herbs that the roots have a distinctive liquorice flavor; we have yet to chew any roots to test this information, prefering instead to use this as a subtle but attractive cascading addition to windowboxes and summer urns--as nights become more chill the foliage turns a bronzy purple.

66774 MANIHOT ESCULENTA VARIEGATA EUPH HP PRICE: $ 15.00 Major rarity, the gorgeous "Variegated Tapioca" has deeply lobed leaves with radiating bright yellow central stripes; the heavy tuberous roots are the stuff of cassava and other starch products. Will prefer to go somewhat dormant if kept cool in winter. The second image here shows the plant in mid summer.

41323 MURRAYA PANICULATA [EXOTICA] RUT HP CGH PRICE: $5.75 "Orange Jasmine" or "Chinese Cosmetic Boxwood" Glossy-leaved shrub (a tree in the tropics) with fragrant white flowers-- often trained as an indoor bonsai: "Chalcas" or "Satinwood" are other common names--all adding up to one observation: if it has this many common names, indicating its popularity in a number of horticultural roles, can you really live without one?

42156 NASHIA INAGUENSIS VER TGH HP PRICE: $ 6.25 "Bahana Berry" Tiny crinkled fleshy leaves, with lovely mint fragrance, on rigid much-branched twiglets emerging from woody trunks--perfect tropical bonsai; the orange berries (following petite verbenia-shaped cream flowers) adds vanilla flavor to Moujean tea. Also used in topiary as the flexible stems will follow the contours of any moss filled wire form or driftwood surface and the tiny leaves remain shingled on the surface. Never let this dry out or face the horrible truth of terminal dormancy.

89180 OCIMUM AFRICAN BLUE VARIEGATED LAB TGH PRICE: $ 6.50 Columnar type of basil with distinct bluish tinge on the deep green white rimmed leaves.

65616 ORNITHOGALUM TENUIFOLIUM LIL HP CGH PRICE: $ 4.00 Very showy glossy surface bulbs topped with sweeps of upright slim lf blades & wands of green flowers used for cutting in tropical gardens. Offsetting clumps soon produce handsome specimens with gradually forming hemispheres of the waxy endlessly offsetting bulbs. Must have full sun to keep the foliage erect.

40694 OXALIS RUBRA ALBA [CRASSIPES] OXA HP CGH PRICE: $ 6.00 "Summer Shamrock" Reliably evergreen species with low, soft green fleshy leaves mounding over short succulent stalks which emerge from thick underground tubers; clusters of small white flowers reach their height during summer. Traditional Victorian favorite as a year 'round pot plant demanding full sun to flourish--now rediscovered and utlized in summer urns, windowboxes, and mixed containers as well. We like to present it in a eight inch hanging basket. The fleshy bulbs were prized by the Incans who proclaimed that "Stew without chunu is like life without love."

54413 PASSIFLORA BIFLORA [LUNATA] PAS TGH PRICE: $ 8.00 Called "Guate-Guate" in Panama, this vigorous vine has lovely winged leaves like petite boomerangs and pairs of white blossoms with vanilla-mauve corona filaments.

81152 PASSIFLORA INCARNATA PAS HT CGH PRICE: $ 5.00 "Hardy Passion Flower" Native with yellow edible fruit (especially used in jams) following the beautifully dramatic pale lavender flowers with pink-purple coronas. Always very late to emerge from the ground late spring, thus called the "Maypop" locally as it usually can be noted to "pop up in May" in our southern Ohio climate. We much prefer to mail this to you once it has started its growth cycle so that it will grow easily once you plant it out. Folk remedy texts list this as a remedy for spasms, headaches, asthma, and shingles! What you apply and how remains foggy.

54595 PELARGONIUM GRAY LADY PLYMOUTH GER CGH PRICE: $ 5.50 Bright white edged deeply cut fragrant foliage which when crushed is strong lemon-rose; must have cool full sun winter location.

40748 PELARGONIUM GROSSULARIOIDES ROBERS LEMON ROSE [HYB] GER HP CGH PRICE: $ 3.75 Deeply lobed leaves with rich pungent fragrance on vigorously growing plant--try outside for summer bedding.

42173 PELARGONIUM SCABRUM [APRICOT; NINON] GER HP CGH PRICE: $5.25 Ruffled rounded scented leaves on many stemmed pot subject; showy rose to (salmon) apricot flowers in clusters of five. The upright woody stems make this a natural for topiary work. Demands bright light and perfect drainage.

53543 PEPEROMIA CLUSIIFOLIA [PERICATTII] PIP HP TGH PRICE: $ 6.25 "False Clusia" Thick purplish concave long leaves with purple margins held erect in two ranks by thick stems; the rubbery texture heightened by bright light. This is a clone found by Robert Newman in Chinese cultivation. The obvious question: is this used in Chinese medicine?

53502 PIPER AURITUM PIP PRICE: $ 17.50 "Root Beer Plant" or "False Sasparilla" Strictly a greenhouse plant with rigidly erect thick bamboo like stems supporting dramatic marvelously soft fragrant leaves. (Nonetheless, some of our customers tell us that they have grown it in a two gallon pot in their plant room.) These leaves play an important role in South American Andean cooking--a more pungent version of corn husks in Mexican cuisine. A wonderful and exotic specimen only demanding reliable warmth and reasonable levels of humidity to become a dramatic punctuation mark in your collection. We have included a photo looking up into the canopy of this handsome giant in our greenhouses. Simply too wonderful not to have.

53513 PIPER BETEL [HORT] PIP HP TGH PRICE: $ 8.00 Famous clove flavored "Betel-leaf" stimulant (for wraped aound a betel nut--Areca catechu) from India also used treating diphtheria in Asia; this National Botanic Gardens clone has trailing habit of P. nigra, but with larger glossy heart shaped leaves on slightly folded petioles--very attractive vine easily grown on the windowsill; very dependable cascading from a hanging basket, happiest clambering up a moss pole, or (for the adventurous tropical herbalists out there) cascading from a summer windowbox.

66943 PIPER METHYSTICUM PIP TGH PRICE: $ 75.00 Strong plants of Fiji's famous "Kava-kava" available clone is the reputable 'Black Mo'i.' Must have high humitidy in your greenhouse. Can be a challenge in constantly warm or hot climates as this is a mountain species preferring a cooler (but NEVER CHILL) situation than many Texans can provide. We may need lead time for production is somewhat tricky with "Kava=kava" in our experience--but currently we have adequate propagations.

53507 PIPER NIGRUM [HORT] PIP HP TGH PRICE: $ 8.00 "Black Pepper Vine" Small leathery deep green heart leaves on strong vines--the source of commercial peppercorns. Quite easily grown low-light houseplant. Used in Asia also to treat food poisoning, to aid digestion. As with most of the Pipers, as the new leaves unfurl a scrufty surface wax (which protects the tender new growth) accumulates: do not decide that you have an outbreak of insects--you only are observing an outbreak of wax produced by the plant itself.

55572 PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 3.75 Called "Cuban Oregano" or "indian Borage" for culinary uses in Mexico & West indies, although from SE Asia where its handsome foliage is used for bronchitis, asthma, headaches, burns, & scorpion sting; the leaves are used in tea, or to scent your laundry. Certainly the most attractive hanging basket plant we know of which is also handy to treat the results of any random misadventures you may have with your pet scorpion!

42354 PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS OCHRE FLAME LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 4.75 Arched stems weighed down under the weight of the succulent pelted paired leaves, each with a central pale lime flare on rich avacado green, margined with mint green crenulations; a "Spanish Thyme" with lavender-pink fls. Used in Caribbean cooking.

42086 PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS VARIEGATED LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 4.75 "Margined Spanish Thyme" or "indian Borage" Arching stems present showy pairs of fleshy crenate leaves bordered in bright white. New aromatic shoots in tropical culinary use, as "Cuban Oregano"--Astounding as a hanging basket subject; splendid cascading from urns and windowboxes. Excellent for drama in the winter greenhouse as well because quite evergreen in nature.

41711 PLECTRANTHUS MENTHOL EUCALYPTUS [SPECIES] LAB PRICE: $ 3.75 Short woody stems are completely covered by mounds of thick succulent tiny "scalloped pillow" leaves with hirsuit surface-- giving off very pungent fragrance when brushed. Popular. Probably a form of the Kenyan Plectranthus coeruleus.

41658 PLECTRANTHUS TURPENTINE [MARRUBIOIDES?] LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 3.25 Pine scented scalloped furry succulent leaves on thickly furred cascading stems. Very potent "fragrance."

41132 POGOSTEMON PATCHOULI [HORT] LAB CGH HP PRICE: $ 6.00 Attractive coleus-statured species of uncertain nomenclature famous as the source of musky "Patchouli" intensely fragrant mint-sandlewood perfume--the predominent scent of every good rock concert (or do I date myself?). The source of Asian herb preparations for digestion, for snake bite; depression; even to prevent the spread of infection. Will defoliate if chilled during the winter, and although it will bounce back from a chill, the undistinguished spikes of winter blossoms may not form .

66905 POLIANTHES TUBEROSA THE PEARL AGAV CGH PRICE: $ 6.75 The fabuously scented "Double Flowered Tuberose" for intense fragrance in your winter greenhouse. Or: turn the dormancy cycle around and bloom this in your summer bed with the intensely fragrant "Omixachitl" blossoms creating a possible event for a summer party once you translate the Aztec codex as to which ritual need be performed!

69019 POLYGONUM ODORATUM POL CGH PRICE: $ 6.50 "Thai Basil" A lovely vine (actually winter hardy here if planted next to a warm foundation) with elongated heart shaped leaves beautifully veined. Easily trained on a trellis.

41055 PROCRIS SPECIES URT HP PRICE: $ 4.25 An Elatostema cousin with short swollen, arched stems with succulent leaves and curious bubble flowerss used in perfumery. Attractive pot herb often in limited quanities--best check availability before ordering this for your greenhouse.

65595 PROTASPARAGUS RETROFRACTUS LIL HP TGH PRICE: $ 4.75 "Katdoring" Zig-zagging clamberer with odd sized bunched cladophylls; bunched fls followed by red orange berries much loved by African birds as well as by plant lovers. Excellent houseplant nearly impossible to kill. One of the "Ming Asparagus" developing into fabulous impressive specimens--newly popular as an indoor bonsai.
40856 PUNICA GRANATUM NANA PUN CGH HP PRICE: $ 5.00 "Dwarf Pomegranate" Bright double orange flowers resembling nodding papery carnations followed by small edible fruit; very cool winter condition imperative for best production of spring blossoms--but do not allow to freeze. Handsome and dependable in any bonsai pot as soon forms a stout woody trunk and the foliage always remains dimunitive. Asian herb extensively utilized to treat mouth sores, diarrhea, and a multitude of other ills. Certainly one of the easiest small fruiting shrublets quite content with container culture.

68080 SANSEVIERIA AETHIOPICA [HEIDLEBERG] AGA HP TGH PRICE: $ 18.00"Bushman's Cure" Called "!hwi" & taken to cure abdominal pains & diarrhoea. Flat outspread small rosettes of dark dusky green (bluish in full sun) leaves with corky margins & tips-- This is a German clone from the collection at Heidleberg, and shared with us by the late Tony Falco--the species is quite variable in its native range.

41737 STROPHANTHUS SPECIOSUS APO TGH CGH PRICE: $ 8.75 "Poison Rope" from Kirstenbosch; rambling shrub with whorls of leathery lance leaves; the poisonous flared-tubular scarlet spotted yellow-orange flowers, with tailed lobes, famous as a source for cardiac drugs. We suggest that you not experiment. Curious and handsome greenhouse subject, taking coolish winter conditions in stride.

67358 SYNADENIUM CUPULARE [ARBORESCENS] EUP HP CGH PRICE: $ 10.00 "Sheba Valley Death Tree" Compact trunk studded with flat slightly splotched leaves held rigidly; nondescript green inflorescence last quite long. Very poisonous; once Euphorbia arborescens, so do avoid contact with the milky sap.We probably should run a quick psych profile on all prospective buyers.

54421 THEOBROMA CACAO POL HP CGH PRICE: $ 25.00 Sold out for the season. Please inquire before ordering! "Cocoa Tree" This chocolate plant has been requested by many of our customers over the last couple years. It is now available! Attractive leathery leaves emerge pinkish bronze; after forms trunks, produces yellowish flowers followed by the ten-ribbed orange fruits (of course, in the best conditions) which are (after fermentation and roasting) the commercial source of chocolate/cocoa. This plant is beautifully foliaged and makes a great plant-room subject, even if you never see the cocoa pods.

51270 TULBAGHIA SIMMLERI AMARYL CGH PRICE: $ 4.25 South African "Mauve Onion" with evergreen succulent strap foliage; sweetly scented mauve colored flower heads. Good pot herb with fashionably edible flowers; seems to flower more readily if crowded in a 10"clay pot. We notice that this is now featured as an aquatic subject of late. Typically sent as divisions.

41478 TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA SILVER LACE AMARY CGH HP PRICE: $ 5.25 "Variegated Society Garlic" Clumping evergreen narrow fleshy leaves edged pearly white; lavender flowers on one foot stems. Try the leaves in a sandwich! Ever so sophisticated addition to any tub of tropical herbs, giving a dramatic vertical accent. Now you can have your variegate and eat it too.

31720 TYPHONIUM FILIFORMIS [HORT] ARAC CGH PRICE: $ 18.00 Small statured mound of arrowshaped (cordate) grass green leaves on long oddly channeled stalks emerging from a tuber; the "Perak Herb" with yellow spathes dotted blood red. Dale Wagner's Philippine clone used for various mysterious (to us) medical herbal combinations. For us this remains more a botanical curosity than a horticultural gem. There: that was harsh.

40957 VANILLA PLANIFOLIA [FRAGRANS] ORC HP TGH PRICE: $ 12.00 Wide leathery waxy leaves line the thick vining stems; important commercial "Vanilla Orchid" source of the vanilla bean--the yellow-green fls are hard to produce with inadequate light and considerable patience. Sent as URCuttings in dry moss.

51909 VITEX AGNUS CASTUS INCISA [LACELEAF] VER HH HT PRICE: $ 10.00 The lovely "Lace Leaf Hemp Tree" with aromatic woody stems cloaked with finely dissected dark leaves (tomentose beneath); rosy lilac flower panicles. Traditional basket weaving and medicinal "Chase Tree," "Monk's Pepper Tree," "Indian Spice"

53110 ZINGIBER ZERUMBET MIOGA DANCING CRANE [VARIEGATA] ZIN CGH HH PRICE: $ 22.00 Stiff stems cloaked with two ranks of Alpina-like leaves, each centered with a lemon flame whose stripes often reach the leaf margin. Classic Japanese pot subject with yellow basal flowers; always goes dormant late fall and remains so during the winter. If you find this dormant period to be boring, just remember that the tubers are considered edible.

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