Tower of Jewels Is Glorious Right Now

What better way to keep the Hawaii eruptions in mind than to enjoy the splendor that is one of the Canary Islands most striking flowering plants (and the Canary Islands has many striking flowering plants) -the 'Tower of Jewels' (Echium wildpretii).  E. wildpretii can be found on the clinkery lava plains of mount Teide; a still active volcano that is responsible for forming the island of Tenerife. 

Below is a picture of Echium before it bloomed. Notice the silvery, linear pointed leaves. The silver sheen is created by hairs that reflect the heat coming off of the black, heat radiating lava that is common around the volcano. Here is a picture of the plant growing in its native habitat. 

The plant in bloom looks quite similar (except for the pink blooms) to the Silversword (Argyroziphium sandwicense), an unrelated plant that grows on the Hawaiian island of Maui.  This is a phenomenon known as convergent evolution. It is not known if the Silversword attracts hummingbirds. 

Echium wildpretii does attract hummingbirds (and bees), so scroll down and enjoy the show. These E. wildpretii are located next to the south parking lot gate inside the Arboretum. Here's a map. 

Cool Pix I've Taken Here at the Arboretum 5-2017

Enjoy these pix I took over the last several weeks. Here is a map to get you to where these things are: https://drive.google.com/open?id=115UqVui4tP7IO2leeLIgj2sEoiU&usp=sharing

White, single petaled rose bush in front of the Rose Garden. 

Bottom: Matilija Poppy Top: Flowering California Buckeye

Cloudy day after the rain. 

Euphorbia resinifera contains a compound, resiniferatoxin, that is 16 Billion on the Scoveville scale of hotness. It can induce pain relief because its action kills nerve endings that produce pain. 

The Canary Island exhibit. 

Large patch of Aeonium growing under a Dragon palm in the Canary Islands exhibit. 

Asteriscus maritimis, commonly called the 'Gold Coin' flower, located in the Canary Island exhibit. 

The trail to the Zen deck located in the Meadowbrook section of the Arboretum. 

Canary Island Color Here at the Arboretum

Limonium, commonly known as statice or sea lavender, is in bloom now in the Arboretum’s Canary Island collection.  This plant, a member of the Plumbaginaceae family, originates from the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa better known for the sun and sand of Tenerife and the Gran Canarias than for its unique endemic flora. These islands form one of Spain’s autonomous communities and enjoy a subtropical climate with long, warm summers and moderately warm winters.  

Right now you can see large flowering specimens of tree limonium (Limonium arborescens), a tough perennial herb grown from a woody rhizome, a modified subterranean stem usually found underground which often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes.  The flowers are unusual in that they have lavender sepals, the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower.  In most other plants, sepals are usually green and typically protect the flower in bud and often support the petals when in bloom. Its these sepals that make the Limonium inflorescence so spectacular.

Limonium arborescens (foreground) blooming in the Canary Island exhibit. 

A similar looking and commonly available Limonium is Limonium perezii, known as Perez’s sea lavender; also a Canary Island native.  L. perezii blooms nearly year round but heaviest in summer.  The foliage grows to about 18” on a 2 foot clump, with flower stalks about 2-3 feet tall.  The calyx, the outer papery envelope, is rich purple; the corolla, the inner part, is white.  The plant is drought tolerant and, once established, needs only occasional watering.  It grows best in dry, well-drained locations.  Clumps should be divided every 2-3 years in early spring.

Less widely available are Limonium found in other colors.  L. platyphyllum, native to central and southeastern Europe, has a white calyx with bluish corolla.  Even pure whites and pinks exist.  L. sinuatum, a Mediterranean native, comes in even more colors:  yellow, apricot, orange, peach, and rose in addition to the usual blue and lavender.

Most Limonium do well as cut flowers and their papery nature makes them prized for use as dried flowers.  They keep their color well whether cut or in the garden.