Xerophytes

The term xerophyte refers to a plant species that has evolved over time to adapt to dry regions like deserts. Xerophytes have adapted to be able to keep extremely large amounts of water for a long period of time. Without this capability, the plant would die, as the desert region region itself does not provide enough water to sustain life.

Commonly Found Xerophytes
The Joshua Tree
Succulent plants
Some bromeliads
The Cactaceae family of plants
Chaparral plants
Barrel cacti
Basal rosette
Agaves
Eriogonums
Dudleya brittonii
Malosma laurina
Dudleya pulverulenta
California poppy
Prickly pear
Pine
Tea plant
Esparto grass
Euphorbia
Acacia
Nerium oleander
Raphinacme
Tillandsia
Kalanchoe
Bursera fagaroides
Adenia glauca
Avonia alstonii
Cissus tuberosa
Trichodiadema bulbosum
Calibanus hookerii
Idria columnaris
Monadenium rubellum

Some of these plants store the water in their round stems. Often, leaves are not prominent, such as in the case of cacti. This is because the process of transpiration can cause water vapor to diffuse out of the leaves which would leave the plant without its necessary resource, water.
In addition to not having leaves, the overall surface area of a xerophytic plant may be less than other plants because exposure to air by the plant's surface can result in a water reduction due to evaporation.
Xerophytes must work hard to intake a great deal of water when possible. This is made possible through their deep root systems and often growth located below the water table. Water is stored after it has been taken in through succulent leaves and stems or fleshy tubers.

Where to Find Xerophytes
Tanami Desert
Judaean Desert
Blue Desert
Dast-e Lut
Kalahari Desert
Arabian Desert
Karoo
Ordos
Namib
Taklamakan
Owami
Kara Kum
Sahara Desert
Chilistan
Thal Desert
Gobi
Lop Desert
Ordos
Rub' al Khali
Indus Valley Desert
Maranjab Desesrt
Wahiba Sands
Stranha Sahara
Negev
Oltenian Sahara
Oleshky Sands
Bardenas Reales
Piscinas
Monegros Desert
Deliblatska Pescara
Dungeness
Larzac
black Rock Desert
Chihuahan Desert
Sechura Desert
Atacama
Mojave Desert
Patagonian Desert
Colorado Desert

Tugor Pressure

Transpiration is also crucial in maintaining water pressure within cells, keeping them rigid so they can support the plant.
The water pressure inside plant cells is called turgor pressure , and it is maintained by a process called osmosis . Technically speaking, osmosis is the movement of water across a differentially permeable membrane from a place where water concentration is higher to one where the concentration is lower.
Fluids like to reach a state of equilibrium. If I pour milk into my coffee, it doesn’t all stay in one place but diffuses throughout the cup. If you put a drop of food coloring in a basin of water, it diffuses until all the water is tinted.
Plant cells maintain a delicate balance of water and various dissolved salts and sugars. If the fluid inside the plant cell is "saltier" than the surrounding fluid, water molecules move in to try to reach equilibrium. If there were no cell membrane, then at the same time the salty water would diffuse out, until the salt concentrations inside and outside the cell were equal.
BUT: the cell membrane is "differentially permeable," meaning that water molecules can enter, but the salt molecules are too large to escape. The result is that water pressure builds inside the cell, causing the cell membrane to exert pressure on the cell wall—in much the same way a balloon inflated inside a box would exert pressure on all sides of the box.

These rigid, stacked "boxes" keep the plant upright. If the "balloons" deflate, then the boxes collapse. Plants must maintain their internal water pressure, or turgor pressure, to keep stems rigid and leaves expanded to the sunlight. This means that water must be available to the plant whenever it needs it. If water isn’t available, cells collapse and the plant wilts. So, next time you have a dry spell, and are commiserating with your gardening friends, you might just say, "Boy, the soil is dry as a bone. All my beautiful plants are losing turgor pressure!"

Farmers Seek Increased Awareness On Medicinal Plants

Vegetable farmers on Thursday called for

increased public awareness towards the

use of medicinal plants as alternative to

orthodox medicine.

Some of the farmers told the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in separate

interviews in Lagos, that the use of

medicinal plants had become popular in

developed countries, especially in Europe

and Asia.

Mr David Iheanacho, a moringa farmer,

said there were more than 6,000

medicinal plants, growing in different

parts of Nigeria, which he said, were

being under-utilised.

He observed that Nigerians had apathy

towards the use of plants for medicinal

purpose because they erroneously believe

it is fetish.

“We have associated the use of

medicinal plants to our native ‘voodoo or

juju’ because we believe only herbalists

use them.

“We have abandoned the resources

bestowed on us by nature to help cure

our ailments instead of using orthodox

drugs that come with side-effects,’’ he

said.

According to him, even though moringa

oleifera plant originated from Asia, it is

commonly cultivated in Nigeria today.

“The original moringa seeds were

imported from India, Pakistan,

Bangladesh and Afghanistan but we now

have it in abundant in Nigeria today.

“Our people are becoming aware of the

medicinal uses of this plant and they

have even nicknamed it ‘miracle plant.’

“This is because its leaves, back, flowers,

fruit, seeds, and root are all used to

make medicine,’’ he said.

According to him, oil from moringa seeds

is used in preparation of foods, perfume,

hair care products and as a machine

lubricant.

Mr Layi Ayanleke, another vegetable

farmer, however, warned against the

arbitrary use of medicinal plants.

He noted that the plant should be used

to treat specific ailment, for which they

are known.

“Much as we clamour for the increased

usage of medicinal plants, we must be

careful about over-indulgence and wrong

usages.

“Dongoyaro leave has been known to

possess high medicinal value in the

treatment of malaria but not necessarily

headache, which is a symptom of

malaria.

“The seeds of unripe guava fruit, when

chewed, enhances high sperm count in

men but excessive consumption can

cause appendicitis,’’ he told NAN.

Mrs Sarah Whyte, a pharmacist, observed

that many propagators of medicinal

plants often failed to give adequate

prescription of usage.

She pointed out that inadequate

prescription could lead to drug abuse and

overdose.

Whyte also warned that there were no

miracle medicinal plants and that, even in

medicine, specific drugs were used to

treat specific ailments.

“We have to be wary of medicinal plants

that are purportedly used in the

treatment of all ailments.

“We should always go for proper medical

screening to be sure of the type of

illness we are suffering from.

“We should not be carried away with the

sooth-saying marketing gimmicks of

herbal medicine practitioners,’’ she said.

(NAN)

Mosquito Repelling Plants

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon
citratus)
Mosquitoes hate the lemony scent of this
plant. With some patience, you can easily
grow this plant in your garden. You just have
to buy stalks easily available in the market.
Lemongrass prefers good drainage and full
sun. However, it’s important to understand
that this beautiful tropical plant does not
tolerate freezing temperatures.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
For some gardeners, this is a perennial. For
others, it is an annual plant. Catnip is
considered about 10 times more effective
than DEET for repelling mosquitoes.
However, this plant has a tendency to be
quite invasive.
If it’s in the garden bed, cats can crush this
plant. But you can keep a couple of them in
hanging containers to avoid both problems.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
This is a sun loving annual plant. Besides
mosquitoes, this one can also repel aphids.
It can be an exceptional companion plant for
the vegetable garden. Marigold plants are
very easy to maintain. You don’t need a lot
of care to keep them healthy and flourishing.
This is a border plant that offers the
simplicity to collect seeds for next year’s
planting. Due to this, Marigold is an excellent
addition. However, you should never rub this
plant on your skin.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus
officinalis)
Rosemary oil is considered heavenly to most
humans. This shrub can easily repel
mosquitoes, and keep your garden safe. This
is one of the most attractive plants for herb
and container gardens. It does not require a
lot of water. In addition to this, Rosemary is
also delicious, and you can use it for cooking
soups, egg dishes and meat.

Wormwood (Artemisia
absinthium)
This perennial plant has a somewhat silvery
foliage. In most zones, this plant can be
easily grown in full sun. This is one of the
most unique border plants. The pungent odor
of this plant can keep mosquitoes at bay.
Once again, you should make sure this plant
is not rubbed on your skin.

Mint (Mentha spp.)
Many different mint oils are excellent for
repelling mosquitoes. Thus, you should keep
a couple of pots filled with these aromatic
and hardy plants in the garden. Mints can
spread easily, and they are best cultivated in
small containers.

Floss Flower (Ageratum
houstonianum)
This is an annual plant that grows about
6-12 inches. It needs partial shade to full
sun. Besides repelling mosquitoes, this plant
is considered an excellent butterfly nectar
plant.

Cadaga Tree (Eucalyptus
torelliana)
As the name suggests, this is a tree. It
requires full sun to grow properly. This tree
can attract wildlife to your garden. However,
it is effective for repelling
mosquitoes. With this tree in your garden,
you may need a fence.
Catmint (Nepeta faassenii)
Catmint is another perennial plant to repel
mosquitoes. It’s height is just about 2-3 feet.
This plant is an excellent mosquito repellant.
In addition to this,
catmint is also a butterfly nectar plant. Your
cats will just love it.

Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon
nardus)
This is a popular perennial plant that
flourishes in the USDA zones. This plant
needs partial shade to full sun. The oil from
this plant is also used to produce mosquito
repellant candles.

Clove Tree (Syzygium
aromaticum)
This is another tree to repel mosquitoes.
However, it’s not very tall. It needs partial
shade to full sun. The flower buds of this
tree produce spices, which are used in
various dishes. It’s an excellent mosquito
repellant.

h2>Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
This is a perennial plant. It provides nectar
for butterflies. The flowers can be easily
dried and kept in the garden to repel
mosquitoes and other insects.

Lemon Balm (Melissa
officinalis)
Lemon balm is a perennial plant, and
requires partial shade to full sun. The leaves
can be used in flavor iced and hot teas. It
can also be used as a substitute for lemon
peel.
These were the 13 most popular plants to
repel mosquitoes. With these plants in your
garden, it will be easier to get rid of
mosquitoes, and enjoy your time in the Sun
or while taking care of your garden.

10 plant facts you should know

1. The earth has more than 80,000
species of edible plants.
If you’re ever in the mood to try
something new, the good news is that
there is certainly food you haven’t
tasted yet still growing somewhere in
the world. You’ll probably have some
trouble finding it, however, because …

2. 90 percent of the foods humans eat
come from just 30 plants.
Out of tens of thousands of plants
we could eat, mankind chooses
to consume only about 30 of them. It’s
crazy to contemplate how limited our
diets are compared to all of the
different foods we could be eating. If
you think the selection of which plants
we eat has anything to do with their
nutritional benefits, however, you’d be
wrong …

3. Nutrition doesn’t factor into the
crops we do mass produce.
The world’s largest farmers have
pursued certain crops because they can
grow a lot of them more quickly, easily
and inexpensively to turn a better
profit. As a result, most of the most
healthful plants stay off of our dinner
plates because they aren’t available at
grocery stores. Still, sustenance isn’t
the only thing humans rely on plants
for …

4. 70,000 plant species are utilized for
medicine.
As it turns out, humans are more
diversified in the plants we use for
medicine. Although a large portion of
that figure applies to traditional
medicine, modern medicine is not
excepted from plant help. Half of the
drugs prescribed in the U.S. have plant
origins , many coming out of the
rainforest, yet …

5. Only one percent of rainforest plants
have been studied for medicinal
potential.
Given how valuable plants can be
medicinally, the rainforest houses a
host of possible cures for ailments new
and old. This untapped resource could
still hold the key to medical
breakthroughs. Of course, a lot of this
potential could be lost considering …

6. 80 percent of the Earth’s original
forests have been cleared or destroyed.
The same forests that dominated the
land 8,000 years ago are all but gone.
Approximately four-fifths of the
forests are gone thanks to human
intervention—just think of how many
plant species may have been lost in
that process. If you thought protections
were in place, actually …

7. Just 10 percent of the world’s plant-
rich areas are protected.
Of the most biodiverse areas on the
planet, only 10 percent are officially
“protected” to ensure the survival of a
multitude of species—plant and animal
alike. Worse still, many of the
supposedly protected areas are done so
nominally only, leaving plants
threatened by external factors they
should be safeguarded from. This is
especially problematic because …

8. More than half of plant species are
native to just one country.
Chances are, a plant you find in one
part of the world is not currently
growing anywhere else . As plant
habitat is ruined, there’s little point in
hoping that the killed plants could be
found and harvested somewhere else
in the future. For this reason …

9. 68 percent of plants are in danger of
going extinct.
While scientists have only examined a
fraction of the existing known plant
species, of those that have been
studied, 68 percent face extinction in
the not too distant future. Since plants
can’t just up and move as their habitat
is being destroyed, they are even more
vulnerable than endangered animals.
It’s happening quickly, too, since …

10. Plant species are going extinct—
about 5,000 times faster than they
should.
Some will argue that species would go
extinct even without human
interference. While that’s certainly
true, it’s the rate that plants are dying
off that raises alarm. Thanks to climate
change , deforestation and other
human-influence factors, experts
believe that species are going extinct
somewhere between 1,000 and 10,000
times faster than they would naturally.

Farmers Urge Early Supply Of Fertiliser

   Ebonyi Palm Fruits/Cassava Growers Cooperative Society on Monday called on officials of the state’s Ministry of Agriculture to ensure early supply of fertiliser to farmers in the state.
Chairman of the cooperative society, Mr. Augustine Irem made the call in Nguzu, Afikpo South Local Government Area, during an interactive session with the staff of the council’s agriculture department.
Irem urged the officials of the department to use their contacts in
securing fertiliser for farmers to ensure early planting of crops. “The procurement of fertiliser is usually ideal between late March and early April, especially for the benefit of
farmers whose farmlands are on the
hills. “When the fertilisers are applied on the crops within the stipulated period, it will serve the intended purpose but it would not do same if applied around June and July.
“Fertiliser applied on crops around June and July is usually carried away by heavy rain and would therefore be counter-productive to the farmers,” he said.
He noted that the interaction was
intended to explore avenues of
cooperation between the society and the council’s agricultural department.
“We would continue to ensure that our members are united, to create the desired atmosphere for the learning of different farming methods and attainment of other objectives,” he said. In his response, Chief Donatus Isu, Head
of the council’s Agriculture Department, called on farmers to learn modern farming methods.
Isu said learning new farming methods would ensure improved food production, as farmers would be able to avail themselves of opportunities provided by such methods.
    He said the Local Government had
commenced training of farmers to
improve on their farming techniques,
while providing them with improved
farm inputs such as seedlings, fertilisers, among others.
“This is to ensure bumper harvest of
farm produce, as the council is blessed with fertile soil and good climatic conditions,” he said.
He promised to liaise with the state’s
Ministry of Agriculture so as to ensure that adequate fertiliser and other farm inputs were provided to farmers in the area.
“Eighty-five per cent of the council’s
population consist of farmers, as we
would continue training them on
improved farming methods for increased food production.
“The council would also continue to
provide soft loans to farmers to enable them carry out farming activities and meet other agricultural needs,” he said.

Marijuana

    Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa , which contains the psychoactive (mind- altering) chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other related compounds. This plant material can also be concentrated in a resin called hashish or a sticky black liquid called hash oil .
    Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used in the United States. After a period of decline in the last decade, its use has been increasing among young people since 2007, corresponding to a diminishing perception of the drug’s risks that may be associated with increased public debate over the drug’s legal status. Although the federal government considers marijuana a
Schedule I substance (having no medicinal uses and high risk for abuse), two states have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use,
and 21 states have passed laws allowing its use as a treatment for certain medical conditions

How is Marijuana used?
    Marijuana is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or in pipes or water pipes (bongs). It is also smoked in blunts—cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour, odor. Marijuana can also be mixed in food or brewed as a tea.

How does Marijuana affect the brain?
    When marijuana is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink. However it is ingested, THC acts on specific molecular targets on brain cells, called cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are ordinarily activated by chemicals similar to THC that naturally occur in the body (such as
anandamide; see picture, above) and are part of a neural communication network called the endocannabinoid system. This system plays an important role in normal brain development and function.
    The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana overactivates the endocannabinoid system, causing the “high” and other effects that users experience. These effects include altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.
    Marijuana also affects brain development, and when it is used heavily by young people, it's effects on thinking and memory may last a long time or even be permanent. A recent study of marijuana users who began using in adolescence revealed substantially reduced connectivity
among brain areas responsible for learning and memory. And a large long-term study in New Zealand showed that people who began smoking marijuana heavily in their teens lost an average of 8 points in IQ between age 13 and age 38.
Importantly, the lost cognitive abilities were not fully restored in those who quit smoking marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana in adulthood did not show significant IQ declines.

What are the health effects of Marijuana?
    Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, particularly on cardiopulmonary and mental health.
Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the lungs, and frequent marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems experienced by tobacco smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections.
    One study found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than those who don’t smoke marijuana, mainly because of respiratory illnesses. It is not yet known whether marijuana smoking
contributes to risk for lung cancer.
Marijuana also raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated
that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac
vulnerabilities.
    A number of studies have linked chronic marijuana use and mental illness. High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can worsen the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia. A series of large studies following users across time also showed a link between marijuana use and later development of psychosis. This relationship was influenced by
genetic variables as well as the amount of drug used, drug potency, and the age at which it was first taken—those who start young are at
increased risk for later problems.
Additionally, because it seriously impairs judgment and motor coordination, marijuana contributes to risk of injury or death while driving
a car. A recent analysis of data from several studies found that marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident.
The combination of marijuana and alcohol is worse than either substance alone with respect to driving impairment

Is Marijuana medicinal?
    Marijuana has been proven helpful for treating the symptoms of a variety of medical conditions. The body's endocannabinoid system may explain why.
    For many seriously ill people, medical marijuana is the only medicine that relieves their pain and
suffering, or treats symptoms of their medical condition, without debilitating side effects.
    Marijuana’s medicinal benefits are
incontrovertible, now proven by decades of peer-reviewed, controlled studies published in highly respected medical journals. Marijuana has been shown to alleviate symptoms of wide range of debilitating medical conditions including cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s
Disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Moringa: The Wonder Tree

Botanical name : Moringa oleifera
Order: Brassicales
Family: Moringaceae
Genus: Moringa
Location:

Moringa is an important crop in India, Ethiopia, the Philippines and the Sudan, and is being grown in West, East and South Africa, tropical Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida and the Pacific Islands. Moringa oleifera is the economically most valuable species and is native to South Asia, where it grows in the Himalayan foothills but is widely cultivated across the tropics. Nine species occur in eastern Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, and Somalia, of which eight are endemic to Africa.

Description:

   Moringa also called drumstick tree is a genus of shrubs and trees with multi-purpose uses: its leaves, roots and immature pods are consumed as a vegetable. All parts of the moringa tree – bark, pods, leaves nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers – are edible. The leaves are used fresh or dried and ground into powder. The seed pods are picked while still green and eaten fresh or cooked. Moringa seed oil is sweet, non-sticking, non-drying and resists rancidity, while the cake from seed is used to purify drinking water. The seeds are also be eaten green, roasted, powdered and steeped for tea or used in curries.

How to plant: 

Moringa trees grow easily from seeds or cuttings. They grow quickly even in poor soil and bloom 8 months after planting. 

To grow from a cutting:

 

 After the trees have stopped producing fruits each year, branches need to be cut off so that fresh growth may take place. These branches are excellent for growing new trees.

   1. Make a cutting at least 1" (2.5cm) in diameter and at least six feet (1.8m) long.

    2. Dig a hole 3 ft. (1m) x 3 ft. (1m) and 3 ft. (1m) deep.

    3. Place cutting in this hole and fill with a mixture of soil, sand and composted manure. Pack firmly around base of the cutting. Form a slight dome or cone shape, sloping down away from the cutting. It is desirable that water not touch the stem of the new tree.

    4. Water generously, but do not drown the cutting in water.

In India, the custom is to put some cow dung on top of the open end of the cutting. This is an excellent way to protect the cutting from pests.

To grow from seed:

Moringa seeds have no dormancy periods and can be planted as soon as they are mature.

It is best to plant the seeds directly where the tree is intended to grow and not transplant the seedling. The young seedlings are fragile and often cannot survive transplanting. To plant seeds directly in the ground:

    1. Choose an area with light and sandy soil, not heavy with clay or water-logged.

    2. Dig holes 1 ft (30 cm) square and 1 ft deep. Back-fill the holes with loose soil. Compost or manure will help the tree grow better, even though Moringa trees can grow in poor soils.

    3. Plant 3 to 5 seeds in each hole, 2 in. (5 cm) apart. Plant the seeds no deeper than three times the width of the seed (approximately ½ in. or 1.5 cm -- the size of one's thumbnail).

    4. Keep the soil moist enough so that the top soil will not dry and choke the emerging saplings, but it should not be too wet or else the seeds can drown and rot.

   5. When the saplings are four to six inches tall, keep the healthiest sapling in the ground and remove the rest. Termites and nematodes can kill a young sapling. Take measures to protect saplings from these two dangers.

   

Note: If the soil is heavy, dig a larger hole of up to 3 ft (90 cm) in diameter and 3 ft deep, and backfill with 1 part sand and 2 parts original soil. Added compost or manure will help.

Varieties: 

   Thirteen Moringa species are known: 

M. oleifera 

M. arborea 

M. borziana 

M. concanensis 

M. drouhardii 

M. hildebrandtii 

M. longituba 

M. ovalifolia 

M. peregrina 

M. pygmaea 

M. rivae 

M. ruspoliana 

M. stenopetala

Nutritional benefits: 

It’s like growing multi-vitamins at your doorstep. 

Chromium Copper Iron Magnesium Manganese Phosphorus Potassium Protein Zinc Vitamin A Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin C Calcium 

Moringa seeds:

  

 

The seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant are among the most nutritious and useful botanical products available. These versatile seeds can be used in a variety of ways including as medicinal and herbal remedies, as nutritional supplements and for industrial and agricultural purposes. Moringa seeds are edible in both fresh and dried forms and, along with the seed pods that contain them, can be prepared in numerous ways as both food and medicine. The medicinal properties of the moringa seed are well documented in the scientific literature and are further supported by the experiences of generations of traditional Ayurvedic practitioners.

   While many parts of Moringa Oleifera trees are deemed useful, the seeds are especially prized for their medicinal powers. The seeds have valuable properties that enable them to treat a wide array of illnesses and conditions. The National Charity for Organic Growing has studied the efficacy of Moringa Oleifera seeds as a medial treatment and found that they provide legitimate relief for many medical problems. These include rheumatism, gout, sexual transmitted diseases, urinary infections, boils, and even epilepsy. When used as medicine, the seeds are pounded and mixed with coconut oil. Often, seed oil derived from the Moringa Oleifera seeds will be used in place of the mashed seeds

Benefits of Moringa oleifera:

Boosts energy levels

Improved digestion

Improved immune system function

Improved mood

Lower blood pressure

Protects the stomach lining

Treats stomach ulcers

COSTUS: Nigeria's Floral Emblem

Botanical name : Costus spectabilis

Order : Zingiberales

Family : Costaceae

Genus : Costus

Location :
  This geophyte is found over much of tropical Africa in Benin, Burkina Faso , Côte d'Ivoir , Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Burundi, Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda , Angola , Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Description : 
   Costus spectabilis is the floral emblem of Nigeria, its flowers are represented on its coat of arms It is one of some 109 species belonging to the family of Costaceae, all tropical and occurring in Asia, Africa, Australiaand the Americas. Their underground storage organs are rhizomes , and they are largely shade-loving, with some species able to grow in full sunlight. They prefer moist soil and a humid climate. The rhizomes, which are covered in brown papery scales which are hairy in their lower half, lengthen, spreading below ground level to form new offshoots contours of the pot. Closely related to the Ginger family Zingiberaceae, it produces 4 large(12 x 12 cm), fleshy leaves which lie flat on the ground and form a basal rosette. They are glabres above and pubescent below, especially along the midrib. The leaf margin is entire, often with an edging of purple-pink. The inflorescence is terminal, growing from the centre of the rosette. The flowers are showy, yellow, and open singly and die rapidly, but are immediately followed by another. It is found in wooded grassland and deciduous woodland, occasionally near termite mounds or around rocks. The species becomes dormant during winter, shrinking to a centipede-like rhizome without roots. In spring it produces paddle-shaped leaves that apples to the soil when fully formed, and similar to water-lily pads. The abaxial leaf surface has a spongy white texture. Flowers are bright yellow with a crisped margin, and some 9 cm across, with a large staminodial labellum, and resembling those of a pumpkin. The texture of the flower is soft and thin.

Propagation:
Propagation is sexual by seeds

Habitat: 
   In wooded grassland and deciduous woodland, often near termite mounds or among rocks