Nature – Page 12 – Manzanillo Sun

Traveler’s Palm

December 1, 2013January 24, 2018Manzanillo Sun Writer

By Tommy Clarkson from the December 2013 Edition Ravenala madagascariensis Family: Strelitziaceae (Also known as Traveler’s sometimes spelled with two ‘l’s – Tree, Palma de Viahero, or Nepal Laburnum) This highly recognizable and very unique ornamental “palm” is not a palm at all. Furthermore, from the outset, let’s dispel the myth that they orient themselves toward the […]

Triangle Palm- I Planted Roots in Mexico

November 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the November 2013 Edition Dypsis decaryi (Sometimes cited as Neodypsis decaryi) Family: Arecacea (Also called a Three Cornered or Three-sided Palm) The Triangle Palm is a member of a large and amazingly diverse genus of which there are 140 species many of which are critically endangered. In fact, in its natural habitat, this […]

Starfruit- I Planted Roots in Mexico

November 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the November 2013 Edition Averrhoa carambola Also called: Carambola In the jargon of my youth, the juicy, tropical Starfruit are cool! They have a very unique (Well, duh, star-shaped) appearance, are crisp in texture and have a sweet, slightly tangy flavor which stems from the fact that seldom do they have more than […]

Picotee Sky Flower- I Planted Roots in Mexico

October 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the October 2013 Edition Duranta erecta ‘Sapphire Showers’ Family: Verbenaceae Also known as: Pigeonberry, Golden Dew-drop, and Skyflower This originally West Indian, evergreen, drooping branch, vine is definitely, an attention getter! Its flora are large, beautiful racemes (clusters) of butterfly attracting, trumpet shaped, white tipped, and intensely, bluish-violet-lavender purple. (One wonders if I […]

Mexican Palmetto- I Planted Roots in Mexico

October 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the October 2013 Edition Sabal mexicana Family: Arecaceae Also known as: Texas Palmetto, Texas Sabal Palm, Rio Grande Palmetto, Victoria Palmetto, and Palma de Mícharos (The genus Sabal consists or fifteen (or so) different species. As a result of hybridization and similarity in appearance, as noted in the following, there is often confusion […]

Lemon Grass- I Planted Roots in Mexico

September 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the September 2013 Edition Family: Cymbopogon citratus (Also known as: Barbed wire grass, silky heads, citronella grass, or fever grass Perhaps not often thought of for inclusion in a tropical garden, this is – nonetheless – an interesting and, great culinary addition as Lemon Grass is effectively incorporated in a delightful […]

Parlor Palm- I Planted Roots in Mexico

September 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the September 2013 Edition Chamaedorea elegans Family: Arecaceae ; Sub-family: Ceroxyloideae Also known as: Neanthe Bella, Bella Palm, Love Palm or Good Luck Palm This delicate little character derived its name during the Victorian era when its exotic look led it to becoming a highly favored plant for one’s parlor. As […]

Sago Palm- I Planted Roots in Mexico

August 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the August 2013 Edition Cycas Revoluta Family: Cycadaceae Also called: Japanese Fern Palm, Japanese Sago Palm, King Sago Palm and Palm Cycad Contrary to what many folks believe, the Sago Palm like the Traveller’s Palm, Cardboard Palm and Mada gascar Palm is not a palm tree. The Cycas Revoluta is actually […]

I Meet Charlie

July 1, 2013January 27, 2018Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the July 2013 Edition (Note: Some may recall from previous pieces I’ve written that, a while back, I learned that much to my surprise and amazement I seem to be able to converse with certain animals. There was the startled iguana in our bathroom, the beautiful Mariposa de la Muerte (Butterfly […]

Flame Tree- I Planted Roots in Mexico

July 1, 2013February 4, 2019Tommy Clarkson

By Tommy Clarkson from the July 2013 Edition Delonix regia Family: Leguminosae or Fabaceae (Also known as: Flamboyant Tree, Royal Poinciana, Peacock Flower and Mexican Flame Tree.) This absolute stunner goes by some other names as well. In Spanish it is sometimes called the Arbol de Fuego Tree of Fire. And in Mexico, Costa Rica […]

Category: Nature