Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cacti-Succulents collection

Sempervivum - Native to Europe and North America
Scientific Nomenclature
Kingdom   : Plantae
Order        : Saxifragales
Family       : Crassulaceae
Genus        : Sempervivum
Species      : has about 40 species
Description:
The name "Sempervivum" has its origin in the Latin Semper ("always") and vivus ("living"). Sempervivum are called "always living" because this perennial plant keeps its leaves in winter and is very resistant to difficult conditions of growth.
Sempervivums are available in many forms and colours, green through browns, yellow, orange, pink and red although they need to be grown in full sun to fully exhibit the different colours. Out of full sun many cultivars tend to end up as a similar green colour. 
The genus Sempervivum is easy to recognize, but its species are often not easy to identify. Even one single clone can look very different under various growth conditions (modifications) or different times of the year. The most colourful time is generally from March till June. Most of them grow Sempervivum sp. not for their flower but their leaves colour.
Crassula lycopodioides - ‘Lizard’s Tail’
Scientific Nomenclature
Kingdom   : Plantae
Order        : Saxifragales
Family       : Crassulaceae
Genus        : Crassula
Species      : lycopodioides
Description:
 A spreading succulent with multiple slim pine-like pendulous branches threaded with miniature green leaves. Height to 30cm. Tiny greenish white flowers. Part sun/light shade.
Quantity

Kalanchoe blossfldiana - Native to Madagascar
Scientific Nomenclature
Kingdom   : Plantae
Order        : Saxifragales
Family       : Crassulaceae
Genus        : Kalanchoe 
Species      : blossfeldiana
Common Name:
English : Flaming Katy
Description:
 Grown indoors or out for its bright flowers and ornamental, fleshy foliage. The small flowers are grouped in tightly paced flowerheads borne on long stems. Each head has between 20 - 50 flowers. Will thrive outdoors in frost-free areas. Ideal container or indoor plant. It is moderately salt tolerant and it grows well in bright indirect sun light.
Flowering Time:
Tiny flowers are borne mainly in Summer and Autumn, but also in Winter in the more temperate areas. Flowering is controlled by day and night interval.
Flower colour
  • Red, 
  • Purple, 
  • Orange, 
  • Yellow and 
  • White 
Euphorbia milii - Native to Madagascar
Scientific Nomenclature
Kingdom   : Plantae
Order        :  Malpighiales
Family       : Euphorbiaceae
Genus        : Euphorbia
Species      : milii
Common Name: 
English : Orchid Crown of Thorns, Christ Plant 
Description : 
It is a succulent, with thick, fleshy stems adapted for water storage. The stems are 5-7 sided, greyish-brown, branched & up to 2-3' in height, with many prominent, grey 1" spines. The leaves tend to be obovate (wider near the tip), up to 1½ long, but much larger (to 6") in the Thai hybrids. They are spirally arranged, have smooth margins, & vary from bright green to grey-green. Foliage is present only on new growth. E. milii var splendens is similar, but grows to 5-6'.
Wat Phrik in the Phitsanulok District of Phitsanulok Province, Thailand claims to be the home of the world's tallest Christ plant.
Bract colors can vary and come in yellow, red, and orange.
Care:
Lave the plant where it can gain bright light to full sun. While watering allow the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Water less in winter when the plant rests. Also, avoid getting water on the leaves and stems because they can rot if they get too wet. 
Important
This plant contains caustic and irritant chemicals in the latex. Avoid contact to the skin and eyes. General symptoms of ingestion are: abdominal pains, blistering/irritation of the mouth/throat and vomiting.