Violeta Africana ( African Violets )

Scientific Name: Saintpaulia ionantha

Date Collected: April 23rd, 2011

Location: Tecamac, Mexico. Indoors in a pot.

Habitat: Needs light and shade but never direct sunlight. Very sensitive to excess of water, needing only water about once or twice a week.

Nativity: Saintpaulia ionantha is native to Eastern Africa

Special Notes: This species has unique leaves with little hair like things protuding from them. Also, despite this plant needs a lot of care, such as having to water it from the soil, never wetting the leaves, it is one of the most popular flowering household plants due to almost year round flowering if under proper care.

Resources:   http://articulos.infojardin.com/plantas_de_interior/Fichas/Saintpaulia.htm

                     http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Saintpaulia

                    http://www.royers.com/usrf.cfm?funfacts=floraldisplaypage&floral_id=121

                    http://www.mygardenpatch.com/20030319062702515.htm

Bugambilia

Scientific Name: Bougainvillea spectabilis

Date Collected: April 22nd, 2011

Location: Jocotitlan, State of Mexico. Front yard.

Habitat:  The Bugambilia need a lot of direct sunlight and an open area. The temparature should not lower below 10 degrees Celcius. It grows in areas that evade strong currents of wind and that also has a regular water supply but not too much (abundant).

Nativity:  This plant is native of Brazil

Special Notes: Bugambilia are very popular ornamental plants in the warmer areas of the Earth. Many reasons include its extroadinary color, its drought resistance and its high salt tolerance which makes it a top choice for coastal regions too. This particular plant is also able to stand up alone and is planted many times along walls, fences, hanging baskets, and as hedges.

Resources:   http://www.galeriabonsai.com/ficha_bougainvillea_spectabilis

                      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvillea

Nopal

Scientific Name: Opuntia ficus indica

Data Collected: April 22nd, 2011

Location:  Jocotitlan, State of Mexico. Side of a dirt road.

Habitat: Nopals do very well in hot,dry weather during the summer and benefit from full sun most of the day. It is essential that it is in soil that drains well. Not much rain/water is needed.

Nativity: It is native to Central Mexico.

Special Notes: The nopal is used highly for nutrional purposes. It produces large sweet fruits, called tuna, which come from the flowers. The flowers appear around early May and the fruits ripen around August. People from Mexico also eat the young cactus pads, which are called the nopales, before the spines harden. An alcoholic drink is also made from Opuntia ficus indica.

Resources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opuntia_ficus-indica

                   http://www.ehow.com/info_8016924_information-opuntia-ficus-indica.html

Noche Buena

Scientific Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima

Date Collected: April 19th, 2011

Location: Tecamac, State of Mexico. House garden.

Habitat: Its native habitat are the tropical forests of Mexico and Central America. Needs special care and varying amounts of sun and water according to the month but can be in either sun or shade.

Nativity: Native to Mexico and Central America.

Special Notes: Has had a long history starting with the Aztecs using the red dye as an antipyretic medication. Now it has a strong connection to Christmas and is used in Christmas celebrations worldwide.  Its tie to Christmas started with an old Mexican tale and the red now is seen to symbolize the crucifixtion of Jesus. It is also noted that this species only blooms during winter, around Christmas time, when its green leaves turn red.

Resources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_pulcherrima

      https://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=5118
      
      http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids/species-profiles/poinsettia

      http://ezinearticles.com/?History-and-Care-Of-Poinsettia-Plants---Euphorbia-Pulcherrima&id=5499665

Granada

Scientific Name: Punica granatum

Date Collected: April 19th, 2011

Location: Tecamac, State of Mexico. House garden.

Habitat: Found majorely in Asia but also in tropical America. Can be grown in clayey, sandy, acidic, and alkaline soils and needs complete sun and regular amount of water.

Nativity:  Punica granatum is native from Iran to the Himalayas.

Special Notes: Has been cultivated by the Egyptians for the plant's pomegranates. Pomegranate juice is used in the treatmeant of many things such as dyspepsia and leprosy.

Resources:   https://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=9697
   
                      http://www.helpfulhealthtips.com/punica-granatum-information-uses-and-benefits/

Rosa Verde ( Green Rose )

Scientific Name:  Aeonium arboreum

Date Collected: April 19th, 2011

Location: Tecamac, State of Mexico. House garden.

Habitat: Grows in either sunny or semi-shade conditions. Can resist temperatures up to around 24 degrees Fahrenheit but is recommended to not be in temperatures below 44 degrees. Little rain\water is needed.

Nativity: Aeonium arboreum is native of the Canary Islands near Spain.

Special Notes: Exposure from the sun turns this plant's green leaves into a mixture of violet and red.

Resources: http://fichas.infojardin.com/crasas/aeonium-arboreum-aeonio-planta-aire-siempreviva-arborea.htm