Nature’s Wonders I Planted Roots in Mexico series – A Sucker for Cycads

By Tommy Clarkson on the Winter 2022/2023 Edition A Sucker for Cycads Suffice it to say, I really like ‘em!In the center of the entryway to our home stands a magnificent Prince Sago Palm (Cycas taitungensis). It sets the tone for the array of tropical plants interspersed throughout Ola Brisa Gardens. But, in spite of what no […]

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Physic Nut – I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the March 2021 Edition Physic Nut Jatropha integerrima – or, possibly, J. pastada or J. coccinea Family Euphorbiaceae Also known as Nettlespurge or Rose-flowered Jatropha Ever in search of new species of tropical or semi-tropical plants that will complement the others in our gardens, I was recently delighted to come upon this […]

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Mexican Sunflower -I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the March 2021 Edition Mexican Sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia Family Asteraceae   Also known as Goldflower of the Incas, Red Sunflower or Mexican Marigold (Inasmuch as most of my regular readers and garden visitors know that, in fact, I was just an old Midwest US kid who enjoys rootin’ in the dirt, I’m […]

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Mexican Heather – I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the February 2021 Edition Mexican Heather Cuphea hyssopifolia Family Lythraceae Also known as False Heather, Mexican False Heather, Hawaiian Heather, Artificial Heather, Elfin Plant, Elfin Shrub, Elfin Herb, Clammy Cuphea or Corail For whatever reason – other than it does sorta’ resemble it at first glance – I always think of the […]

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Identifying Palm Species – I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the February 2021 Edition Identifying Palm Species With well over 2,400 different species of palm trees known to exist, it’s no wonder that some folks become a bit confused when trying to determine the type they see or seek. But, in endeavoring to do so, it will help if you keep in […]

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Shaving Brush Plant – I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the January 2021 Edition Shaving Brush Plant Pseudobombax ellipticum Family Bombacaeae Also known as Pink Bombax or Wool and Cotton Tree Upon seeing the flowers of the Shaving Brush Tree, one instantly comprehends how and why it got its name. But, beyond looking a great deal like what its name implies, they […]

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Night Blooming Jasmine – I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the January 2021 Edition Night Blooming Jasmine Cestrum nocturnum Family Solanaceae Also known as Lady of the Night, Night Queen, Queen of the Night. Night Jasmine, Night Jessamine, Dama de Noche, Night Syringo, Night Cestrum, Night-Blooming Jessamine or Night Blooming Cestrum With some of those other names, one might confuse it with a […]

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Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks – I Planted Roots in Mexico

By Tommy Clarkson on the December 2020 Edition Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks Senecio vitalis Family Ateroceae Also known as Blue Chalk Fingers or Senecio (Right now, I am sorely dismayed, displeased and disgusted with a specific species of the insect world. How, why, what and where so? Well, to be specific, it is one particularly horned and ugly […]

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