Aloe vera Description

Aloe vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60100 cm (2439 in) tall,spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces.[8] The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 23 cm (0.81.2 in) long. soil.[10
[8][9]

Like other Aloe species, Aloe

vera forms arbuscular mycorrhiza, a symbiosis that allows the plant better access to mineral nutrients in

Uses
[edit]Claims

of medical properties

Scientific evidence for the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of aloe vera is limited and when present is frequently contradictory.[2][3] Despite this, the cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly make claims regarding the soothing, moisturizing, and healing properties of aloe vera, especially via Internet advertising.[4][39][40][41][42] Aloe vera gel is used as an ingredient in commercially available lotions, yogurt,beverages, and some desserts.[43][44][45]

Commodity uses
Aloe vera is now widely used on facial tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturiser and/or anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose of users suffering hay-fever or cold.[67] It has also been suggested that biofuels could be obtained from Aloe vera seeds.[68] It can also be used to retwist dreadlocked hair, a favourite agent for vegans and those preferring natural products. Aloe vera is also used for soothing the skin, and keeping the skin moist to help avoid flaky scalp and skin in harsh and dry weather. Aloe vera may also be used as a moisturizer for oily skin.

Culinary uses
Aloe is also used as a food substance. Some molecular gastronomists have begun to take advantage of its gelling properties. Perhaps the most notable among these is Chef Quique Dacosta's "Oysters Guggenheim," created at El Poblet in Spain.
[70

Sansevieria

Sansevieria is a genus of about 70 species of flowering plants, whose common names include motherin-law's tongue, devil's tongue, jinn's tongue, bow string hemp and snake plant. It is often included in the genus Dracaena;
[3] [2]

in the APG III classification system, both genera are placed in

the familyAsparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae).[4] It has also been placed in the former family Dracaenaceae.

Uses
Rope and Traditional Uses
[7] In Africa, the leaves are used for fiber production; in some species, e.g. Sansevieria ehrenbergii, the

plant's sap has antiseptic qualities, and the leaves are used for bandages in traditional first aid.

Rope and Traditional Uses

In Africa, the leaves are used for fiber production;[7] in some species, e.g. Sansevieria ehrenbergii, the plant's sap has antiseptic qualities, and the leaves are used for bandages in traditional first aid.

Ornamental Purposes
Several species are popular houseplants in temperate regions, withSansevieria trifasciata the most widely sold; numerous cultivarsare available. The Chinese usually keep this plant potted in a pot often ornated with dragons and phoenixes[8]. Growth is comparatively slow and the plant will last for many years. The tall-growing plants have stiff, erect, lance-shaped leaves while the dwarf plants grow in rosettes. As houseplants, Sansevieria thrive on warmth and bright light, but will also tolerate shade. Sansevieria can rot from over-watering, so it is important that they are potted in well-drained soil, and not over-watered. In Seoul, potted Sansevieria is commonly presented as a gift during opening ceremonies of businesses or other auspicious events. Other Sansevieria species are less common in cultivation, but another beautiful species is Sansevieria cylindrica which has leaves which look quite different from S. trifasciata, but is equally tough.

Spathiphyllum
Spathiphyllum is a genus of about 40 species ofmonocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. Certain species of Spathiphyllum are commonly known as Spath or Peace Lilies. They are evergreen herbaceous perennial plants with large leaves 12-65 cm long and 3-25 cm broad. The flowers are produced in aspadix, surrounded by a 10-30 cm long, white, yellowish, or greenish spathe. The plant does not need excessive light or water to survive.

uses
Several species are popular indoor houseplants. Spathiphyllum cleans indoor air of many environmental contaminants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and other pollutants.[1][2] It cleans best at one plant per 10 m.[3] It lives best in shade and needs little sunlight to thrive. It is watered approximately once a week. The soil is best left moist but only needs watering if the soil is dry. [4] Spathiphyllum is mildly toxic to humans and animals when ingested. [5] [6] The Peace Lily is not a true lily from the Liliaceae family. True lilies, as well as onions and garlic, are much more toxic to cats and dogs. The Peace Lily contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause skin irritation, burning sensation in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and nausea.

Cordyline fruticosa
Cordyline fruticosa is an evergreen flowering plant in theAsparagus family, Asparagaceae, known by a wide variety of common names including Cabbage Palm, Good Luck Plant,Palm Lily, Ti Plant, K , La'i (Hawaiian), T Pore (M ori), S (Tongan), "Lauti" (Samoan), and  Aut (Tahitian ). Formerly treated in the families Agavaceae and Laxmanniaceae (now both subfamilies of the Asparagaceae in the APG III system), it is a woody plant growing up to 4 m (13 ft) tall, with leaves 3060 cm (1224 in) (rarely 75 cm/30 in) long and 510-centimetre (2.03.9 in) wide at the top of a woody stem. It produces 4060-centimetre (1624 in) long panicles of small scented yellowish to red flowers that mature into red berries. It is native to tropical southeastern Asia, Papua New Guinea,Melanesia, northeastern Australia, the Indian Ocean, and parts ofPolynesia. It is not native to either Hawaii or New Zealand but wasintroduced to both by Polynesian settlers.[2][3

uses
he species was spread from its native range throughout Polynesiaas a cultivated plant. Its starchy rhizomes, which are very sweet when the plant is mature, were eaten as food or as medicine, and its leaves were used to thatch the roofs of houses, and to wrap and store food. The plant or its roots are referred to in most Polynesian languages as t . M ori ranked the sweetness of the plant above the other Cordyline species native to New Zealand.[4] Leaves were also used to make items of clothing including skirtsworn in dance performances. The Hawaiian hula skirt is a dense skirt with an opaque layer of at least 50 green leaves and the bottom (top of the leaves) shaved flat. The Tongan dance dress, thesisi, is an apron of about 20 leaves, worn over a tupenu, and decorated with some yellow or red leaves
[5]

(see picture atM  ulu ulu).

In ancient Hawai i the plant was thought to have great spiritual power; only kahuna (high priests) and ali i(chiefs) were able to wear leaves around their necks during certain ritual activities. K leaves were also used to make lei, and to outline borders between properties (for which its alternative name: terminalis). To this day some Hawaiians plant k near their houses to bring good luck. The leaves are also used for lava sledding. A number of leaves are lashed together and people ride down hills on them. The roots of the k plant were used as a glossy covering on surfboards in Hawaii in the early 1900s. Ti is a popular ornamental plant, with numerous cultivars available, many of them selected for green or reddish or purple foliage.

Aglaonema

Aglaonema is a genus of about 40 species of foliage plants in the family Araceae, native to the tropical swamps and rainforests of southeastern Asia, from Bangladesh east to the Philippines, and north to southern China. No common name is widely used, though they are sometimes called "Chinese Evergreens". They are herbaceous perennial plants growing to 20-150 cm in height. The leaves are alternate on the stems, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, dark to medium green, 10-45 cm long and 4-16 cm broad, depending on the species. The flowers are relatively inconspicuous, white or greenish-white spathes that can give way to red berries. The sap of this plant is poisonous to health. It causes skin irritation. If ingested, the sap causes irritation of the mouth, lips, throat and tongue.

uses
They are popular houseplants and ornamental plants for offices andshopping malls because they are among the easiest houseplants to grow. Numerous cultivars have been selected, including plants with variegated leaves. They tolerate a wide range of light, as well as neglect, and are relatively resistant to pests. Aglaonema flourish for years. They prefer indirect light and partial shade. They do best in shadow-less light, such as a north window. They prefer heavy soil, which should be kept moist but not soggy. They do not tolerate the cold; they should not be exposed to temperatures below 10C (50F), with optimal growing conditions between 20C (68F) and 30C (86F). High air humidity is also important. They are easy to propagate from cuttings, which will root in a glass of water, or from divisions.

Euphorbia
The plants are annual or perennial herbs, woody shrubs or treeswith a caustic, poisonous milky sap (latex). The roots are fine or thick and fleshy or tuberous. Many species are more or lesssucculent, thorny or unarmed. The main stem and mostly also the side arms of the succulent species are thick and fleshy, 1591 cm (636 inches) tall. The deciduous leaves are opposite, alternate or in whorls. In succulent species the leaves are mostly small and short-lived. The stipules are mostly small, partly transformed into spines or glands, or missing. Like all members of the family Euphorbiaceae, all spurges have unisexual flowers. In Euphorbia these are greatly reduced and grouped into pseudanthia called cyathia. The majority of species are monoecious(bearing male and female flowers on the same plant), although some are dioecious with male and female flowers occurring on different plants. It is not unusual for the central cyathia of a cyme to be purely male, and for lateral cyathia to carry both sexes. Sometimes young plants or those growing under unfavorable conditions are male only, and only produce female flowers in the cyathia with maturity or as growing conditions improve. The bracts are often leaf-like, sometimes brightly coloured and attractive, sometimes reduced to tiny scales. The fruits are three (rarely two) compartment capsules, sometimes fleshy but almost always ripening to a woody container that then splits open (explosively, see explosive dehiscence). The seeds are 4-angled, oval or spherical, and in some species have a caruncle.

Uses

Several spurges are grown as garden plants, among themPoinsettia (E. pulcherrima) and the succulent E. trigona. E. pekinensis (Chinese: ; pinyin: dj ) is used in traditional Chinese medicine,

where it is regarded as one of the 50 fundamental herbs. Several Euphorbia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), like the Spurge Hawk-moths (Hyles euphorbiae and Hyles tithymali), as well as the Giant Leopard Moth

Anthurium (pronounced /n

ju ri m/)[1] (Schott, 1829), is a large genus of about 600800 (possibly

1,000) species, belonging to the arum family (Araceae). Anthurium can also be called "Flamingo Flower" or "Boy Flower", both referring to the structure of the spathe and spadix. TROPICOS lists 1901 types, although some of these are duplicates. It is one of the largest and probably the most complex genus of this family; certainly it is one of the most variable. Many species are undoubtedly not yet described and new ones are being found every year. The species has neotropical distribution; mostly in wet tropical mountain forest of Central America and South America, but some in semi-arid environments. Most species occur in Panama, Colombia, Brazil, the Guiana Shield and Ecuador. According to the work of noted aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden, no members of this genus are indigenous to Asia.
[2]

Deliberately or accidentally however, some

species have been introduced into Asian rain forests, and have become established as aliens, but however familiar they might now seem, they are not indigenous.
Contents
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Blushing Bromeliad
Additional Common Names: Crimson cup, Marbled fingernail, Blushing Bromeliad, Ossifragi Vase, Miniature Marble plant, Aregelia Scientific Name: Neoregalia spp. Family: Bromiliaceae Toxicity: Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats

Botany
Small tree, 3 to 7 m high, stem smooth and shining, succulent, with abundant white latex; easily breaks. Leaves: crowded at the terminal end of the branch, commonly oblong in shape, reaching a length of 40 cm and a width of 7 cm. Flowers: fragrant, the upper portion whitish, while the inner lower portion yellow, 5 - 6 cm long. Fruits: linear-oblong or ellipsoid follicles.

Distribution
Usually cultivated for ornamental purposes. There are several species of cultivated Plumiera, very similar to P. rubra but for the color of the corolla.

Parts utilized
Bark, leaves and flowers. Collect from May to October. Sun-dry.

Constituents
Flowers suppose to be source of perfume known as "Frangipiani." Bark contains a bitter glucoside, plumierid (2%). Latex contains resins, caoutchouc and calcium salts of plumieric acid: cerotinic acid and lupeol. Leaves contain a volatile oil.

Uses Folkloric Decoction of bark is used as purgative, emmenagogue, and febrifuge. Preventive for heat stroke: the material may be taken as a cooling tea. For dysentery, diarrhea during summer season: use 12 to 24 gms of dried material in decoction. Arthritis, rheumatism, pruritic skin lesions: Mix the latex (sap) with coconut oil, warm, and apply to affected area. Decoction of the bark is used as a counterirritant on the gums for toothache. The latex mixed with coconut oil is used for itching. The juice is rubefacient in rheumatic pains, and with camphor, is also used for itching. A poultice of heated leaves is beneficial for swellings.

Orchidaceae, usually referred to as the Orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. It is currently believed to be the largest family of flowering plants with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species, found in 880 genera.
[3] [1][2]

The number

of orchid species equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about four times the number of mammal species. It also encompasses about 611% of all seed plants. The largest genera

are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant),Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants such asPhalaenopsis and Cattleya. Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century, horticulturists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars. The complex mechanisms which orchids evolve to achieve cross-pollination were investigated by Charles Darwin and described in his 1862 book Fertilisation of Orchids.

Uses

One orchid genus, Vanilla, is commercially important, used as a flavouring. The underground tubers of terrestrial orchids (mainly Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchid)) are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot beverage salep or in the Turkish frozen treat dondurma. It has been claimed that the name salep comes from the Arabic expression asyu al-

tha`lab, "fox testicles", however, it appears more likely that the Turkish name salep comes directly from the Arabic name sa lab. The similarity in appearance to testes naturally accounts for salep being considered an aphrodisiac. The dried leaves of Jumellea fragrans are used to flavour rum on Reunion Island. The scent of orchids is frequently analysed by perfumers (using headspace technology and gas-liquid chromatography) to identify potential fragrance chemicals. The other important use of orchids is their cultivation for the enjoyment of the flowers. Most cultivated orchids are tropical or subtropical, but quite a few which grow in colder climates can be found on the market. Temperate species available at nurseries include Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid), Gymnadenia conopsea(Fragrant Orchid), Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid) and Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted Orchid).

The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is anative American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany.[1] The term was next applied to the wood of Swietenia macrophylla, which is closely related, and known asHonduras mahogany.[2] Both are from theMeliaceae family. Today, all species of Swietenia grown in their native locations are listed by CITES, and are therefore protected. Both Swietenia mahagoni, and Swietenia macrophylla were introduced into several Asian countries at the time of the restrictions imposed on American mahogany in the late 1990s and both are now successfully grown and harvested in plantations in those countries. The world's supply of genuine mahogany today comes from these Asian plantations, notably from India, Fiji, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

Mahogany has a generally straight grain and is usually free of voids and pockets. It has a reddish-brown color, which darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished. It has excellent workability, and is very durable. Historically, the tree's girth allowed for wide boards from traditional mahogany species. These properties make it a favorable wood for crafting cabinets and furniture. Much of the first-quality furniture made in the American colonies from the mid 18th century was made of mahogany, when the wood first became available to American craftsmen. Mahogany is still widely used for fine furniture throughout the world. Indonesian plantations supply high quality timber to Australian fine furniture makers such as Woodbury House; however, the rarity of Cuban mahogany and over harvesting of Hondurasand Brazilian mahogany has diminished their use. Mahogany also resists wood rot, making it attractive in boat construction. It is also often used for musical instruments, particularly the backs of acoustic guitars and drums shells because of its ability to produce a very deep, warm tone compared to other commonly used woods such as Maple or Birch. Guitars featuring mahogany in their construction include Martin D-18 andGibson Les Paul models.

Paspalum conjugatum Bergius

Gramineae Common names Buffalo grass, carabao grass, sour paspalum (En). Indonesia: jampang pahit (Sundanese), paitan (Javanese), klamaran (Madura). Malaysia: rumput kerbau, rumput ala negri. Philippines: kulape (Tagalog), kauat-kauat (Visaya), kalo-kawayan (Ilokano). Thailand: ya-nomnon, yahep (southern). Origin and geographic distribution

Authors :L.t Mannetje

Originally from the American tropics, P. conjugatum is naturalized throughout South-East Asia and in many tropical countries of the world. It is abundant in Indonesia, the Philippines and the Pacific Islands. Description A vigorous, creeping perennial with long stolons, rooting at nodes, with culms ascending to erect, 40-80(-100) cm tall, branching, solid, slightly compressed. Leaf-sheath strongly compressed, usually 30-50 mm long, ciliate on the margins; ligule collar-shaped, about 1 mm long; leaf-blade linear or lanceolate-acuminate, 8-20 cm x 5-12 mm, glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Inflorescence well exerted with two or occasionally three diverging racemes, 7-16 cm long; spikelets solitary, imbricate, flattened ovate, up to 2 mm long, with long hairs on the margins; lower glume absent, upper glume with a fringe of long hairs (1 mm) along its margin. Caryopsis broadly ovoid, plano-convex, about 1 mm long, dark brown. Products & uses P. conjugatum is used as a forage for grazing or in cut-and-carry systems, and is rated as a very important natural pasture grass in coconut plantations. It is occasionally used as a lawn grass and is also regarded as an important weed in rice and plantation crops. The Iban of Borneo use leaf decoctions in the treatment of wounds and sores, and in the Sepik area of Papua New Guinea crushed spikelets are used for the same purpose (Manidool 1992). Properties

Clover (Trifolium), or trefoil, is a genus of about 300 speciesof plants in the leguminous pea family Fabaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution; the highest diversity is found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, including at high altitudes on mountains in the tropics. They are small annual, biennial, or shortlived perennial herbaceous plants. The leaves are trifoliate (rarely 5- or 7-foliate), with stipules adnate to the leaf-stalk, and heads or dense spikes of small red, purple, white, or yellow flowers; the small, fewseeded pods are enclosed in the calyx. Other closely related genera often called clovers includeMelilotus (sweet clover) and Medicago (alfalfa or 'calvary clover'). The "shamrock" of popular iconography is sometimes considered to be young clover. The scientific name derives from the Latin tres, "three", and folium, "leaf", so called from the characteristic form of the leaf, which has three leaflets(trifoliate); hence the popular name trefoil. Clovers are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly andmoth) species; see list of Lepidoptera that feed on clovers.

Several species are extensively cultivated as fodder plants. The most widely cultivated clovers are white clover Trifolium repensand red clover Trifolium pratense. Clover, either sown alone or in mixture with ryegrass, has for a long time formed a staple crop for soiling, for several reasons: it grows freely, shooting up again after repeated mowings; it produces an abundant crop; it is palatable to and nutritious for livestock; it grows in a great range of soils and climates; and it is appropriate for either pasturage or green composting. In many areas, particularly on acidic soil, clover is short-lived because of a combination of insect pests, diseases and nutrient balance; this is known as "clover sickness". When crop rotations are managed so that clover does not recur at intervals shorter than eight years, it grows with much of its pristine vigor

he coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the familyArecaceae (palm family). It is the only accepted species in thegenus Cocos.[2] The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word.[3] Early Spanish explorers called coconuts/cocos nucifera "coco" (meaning "monkey face").[4] Found across much of the tropics, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Its endosperm is known as the edible "flesh" of the coconut; when dried it is called copra. The oil and milkderived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquidcoconut water within is a refreshing drink and can be processed to create alcohol. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.

he coconut palm is grown throughout the tropics for decoration, as well as for its many culinary and nonculinary uses; virtually every part of the coconut palm can be utilized by humans in some manner. Coconuts' versatility is sometimes noted in its naming. In Sanskrit it is kalpa vriksha ("the tree which provides all the necessities of life"). In the Malay language, it is pokok seribu guna ("the tree of a thousand uses"). In the Philippines, the coconut is commonly called the "Tree of Life".[38] Nearly all parts of the palm are useful, and it has significant economic value.

The lizard reaches up to 13 cm (approximately 5 inches) in length from the tip of the muzzle to the cloaca. The tail can be up to twice the length of the body. This lizard sheds its tail (autotomy), to evade the grasp of a predator. Males have a larger head and a uniform green colouring punctuated with small spots that are more pronounced upon its back. The throat is bluish in the adult males and to a lesser extent in the females. The female is more slender than the male and has a more uniform coloration, often displaying between two and four light bands bordered by black spots. It feeds on insects, small lizards and even mice. In springtime the female lays 6 to 20 eggs. About 2 to 3 months later brown-coloured young appear with a length of 3-4 cm.

The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, ranging from white to pink, red, orange, purple or yellow, and from 418 cm broad. Flower color in certain species, such as H. mutabilis and H. tiliaceus, changes with age.[5] The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing severalseeds in each lobe, which are released when the capsule dehisces(splits open) at maturity.

Many species are grown for their showy flowers or used as landscape shrubs. Many species are used to attract butterflies and bees.
[6]

Hibiscus is also a primary ingredient in many herbal teas.

One species of Hibiscus, known as Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is extensively used in paper making. Another, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas andjams, especially in the Caribbean. In Jamaica and many other islands in the Caribbean, the drink is known as sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa; not to be confused withRumex acetosa, a species sharing the common name sorrel) and is considered a quite popular at Christmas time. It is served cold and mixed with other herbs, roots, and spices and sweetened with cane sugar. Often it is served mixed with Jamaican rum or wine but is also refreshing without any alcohol. Roselle is typically boiled in an enamel-coated large stock pot as most West Indians believe the metal from aluminum, steel or copper pots will destroy the natural minerals and vitamins. A large quantity of the flower is used to ensure a thick dark red tea is made. The tea is popular as a natural diuretic and contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine.

Bucida is a genus of flowering plants in the Indian almond family,Combretaceae. It contains the following species (but this list may be incomplete):            Bucida angustifolia Bucida buceras L. - Bullet tree (southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Bahamas) Bucida comintana Bucida correlliana Bucida eocenica Bucida macrostachya Bucida macrostachys Bucida megaphylla Bucida megapotamica Bucida molineti Bucida molinetii (M.Gmez) Alwan & Stace - Spiny Black Olive (southern Florida in the United States, the Bahamas, Cuba,Hispaniola)         Bucida nariniana Bucida nitida Bucida ophiticola Bisse (Cuba) Bucida palustris Borhidi & O.Muiz Bucida paramicola Bucida sanchezensis Bucida subinermis Bucida umbellata

Syngonium ( /s o ni. m/)[1] is a genus of about 36 speciesof flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical rain forests in Central and South America. They are woody vinesgrowing to heights of 1020 m or more in trees. They have leavesthat change shape according to the plant's stage of growth, and adult leaf forms are often much more lobed than the juvenile forms usually seen on small house plants.

yngonium podophyllum is the most commonly cultivated species, being used as a houseplant since the late 19th century. It was originally confused with the similar-looking African genusNephthytis, and this is still used as a common name for the plant. It was given its own genus in 1879.[1] Other names include:      Arrowhead plant Arrowhead vine Arrowhead Philodendron Goosefoot African evergreen[2]

There are several variegated cultivars, the main differences being in the position and extent of the cream or white markings. Some leaves are almost entirely white, pink or yellow. All parts of the plant are poisonous and cause severe mouth pain if eaten.[

Cycads are seed plants typically characterized by a stout and woody (ligneous) trunk with a crown of large, hard and stiff,evergreen leaves. They usually have pinnately compound leaves. The individual plants are either all male or all female (dioecious). Cycads vary in size from having a trunk that is only a few centimeters tall to trunks up to several meters tall. They typically grow very slowly and live very long, with some specimens known to be as much as 1,000 years old. Because of their superficial appearance, they are sometimes confused with and mistaken forpalms or ferns, but are only distantly related to both. Cycads are found across much of the subtropical and tropical parts of the world. They are found in South and Central America

A slender, clustering palm that can grow to a height of 10 m. The graceful leaves are bright green to yellow-green, and 2 m long. The flowers are small and white, the fruits are red to violetblack. It is a native of Madagascar. It was introduced in the Philippines in the early 20th century and is now widespread in parks and gardens. It is also a popular indoors plant.

Arachis glabrata (Creeping forage peanut, Rhizoma peanut,Rhizoma perennial peanut, Perennial forage peanut,Golden Glory"'; Portuguese common names included Amendoim-forrageiro, Amendoimbravo, Amendoim-do-campo-baixo) is a high quality forage plant native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguayvegetation. This plant is also used for soil conservation and as anornamental plant. It is often cultivated together as a following grass species:Axonopus affinis, Axonopus fissifolius, Brachiaria decumbens,Cynodon dactylon, Digitaria eriantha, Paspalum nicorae, andPaspalum notatum. These legume species are also cited as a companion species: Aeschynomene villosa, Medicago sativa, andTrifolium repens.

ird's-nest ferns is a common name applied to several relatedspecies of ferns in the genus Asplenium. They grow in a tight, nest-like clump with a lingulate leaf rosette and are usuallyepiphytic, growing in trees. Bird's-nest Fern may also be seen growing on rocks and they will grow in the ground, too. The best-known species is A. nidus; others include A. australasicum (crow's-nest Fern), Asplenium antiquum and A. serratum (wild bird's-nest Fern).

hlorophytum comosum, often called the spider plant, is a species of Chlorophytum native to South Africa. Spider plants have long narrow leaves that are 2040 cm (815 in) long and 520 mm (0.20.8 in) broad, growing from a central rosette. At the spot where a leaf would normally develop a node, the plants produce adventitious roots down into the soil, and new above-ground shoots. It also produces branched stolons with small white flowers and baby plantlets. It is a popular houseplant. The most widely grown is the variegatedcultivar 'Variegatum', with one or two broad yellowish-white bands running along the length of each leaf, but natural, entirely green plants are also grown. The Spider Plant is an especially popular plant with beginners, as it is easy to grow and propagate and is very tolerant of neglect, being able to thrive in a wide range of conditions. Spider plants have also been shown to reduce indoor air pollution.[2]

Pandanus is a genus of monocots with about 600 known species. Plants vary in size from small shrubs less than 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall, up to medium-sized trees 20 metres (66 ft) tall, typically with a broad canopy and moderate growth rate. The trunk is stout, wide-branching, and ringed with many leaf scars. They commonly have many thick prop roots near the base, which provide support as the tree grows top-heavy with leaves, fruit, and branches. The leaves are strap-shaped, varying between species from 30 centimetres (12 in) up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) or more long, and from 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) broad. They are dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on different plants. The flowers of the male tree are 23 centimetres (0.791.2 in) long and fragrant, surrounded by narrow, white bracts. The female tree produces flowers with round fruits that are also bract-surrounded. The fruits are globose, 1020 centimetres (3.97.9 in) in diameter, and have many prism-like sections, resembling the fruit of the pineapple. Typically, the fruit changes from green to bright orange or red as it matures. The fruit of some species are edible. Pandanus fruit are eaten by animals including bats, rats,crabs, elephants and monitor lizards, but the vast majority of species are dispersed primarily by water. The plant is native to most of the tropical islands. Three species of screwpine are commonly found in Maldives. Species with large and medium sizes are edible and it is being used in Maldivian delicacy.

Pandan is used for handicrafts. Craftswomen collect the pandan leaves from plants in the wild. Only the young leaves are cut so the plant will naturally regenerate. The young leaves are sliced in fine strips and sorted for further processing. Weavers produce basic pandan mats of standard size or roll the leaves into pandan ropes for other designs. This is followed by a coloring process, in which pandan mats are placed in drums with water-based colors. After drying, the colored mats are shaped into final products such as place mats or jewelry boxes. Final color touch-ups are applied to assure a product of high quality. The whole process from harvesting of raw materials to finished product is handled by craftswomen, making this a truly community-based handicraft product. Pandan (P. amaryllifolius) leaves are used in Southeast Asian cooking to add a distinct aroma to rice andcurry dishes such as nasi lemak, kaya ('jam') preserves, and desserts such as pandan cake. Pandan leaf can be used as a complement to chocolate in many dishes, such as ice cream. They are known as daun pandanin Indonesian and Malay; and (b n ln) in Mandarin. Fresh

leaves are typically torn into strips, tied in a knot to facilitate removal, placed in the cooking liquid, then removed at the end of cooking. Dried leaves and bottled extract may be bought in some places.

"Kewra" is extract distilled from the Pandanus flower, used to flavor drinks and desserts in Indian cuisine. Also, Kewra or Kewadaa is used in religious worship, and the leaves are used to make hair ornaments worn for their fragrance as well as decorative purpose in western India.