Alocasia Loco
Photo by Carly RG Young
Date: January 22, 2012
Common name: Alocasia Loco
Light: bright light
Height: 12-16”
Spread: 14- 18”
USDA Hardiness Zone: 10b
Origin: Hybrid
Alocasia Loco (al-lo-KAY-zee-uh loh-koh) is a relatively new plant variety that is becoming available in many garden centers. Alocasias are commonly called elephant ears due to their large 2-4’ leaves. Alocasia Loco leaves are very small in comparison, only growing to 4-6”. Alocasia Loco is also called an African mask alocasia, with leaves that are reminiscent of African masks. Leaves are dark blue green with bold silvery white veins. The leaf margin is irregularly puckered and wavy with a dark purple underside. Alocasia Loco is great as a house plant due to its small stature and ability to grow in bright light but indirect sun. Alocasia Loco can be experience as part of the Orchids! Vibrant Victoriana exhibition, located in the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
- Barbara Arnold Franklin Park Conservatory
Hay-scented Orchid
Photo by Carly RG Young
Date: January 15, 2012
Common name: Hay-scented Orchid
Light: Bright indirect light
Height: 1.5’-1.75’ Spread: .5-1’
USDA Hardiness
Zone: 11 Origin: Philippines
The hay-scented orchid (Dendrochilum glumaceum den-dro-KYE-lum gloo-MAH-see-um) is a delightful little orchid that is great as a tabletop plant. The name is derived from the Greek words dendros – meaning tree, and cheilos – meaning lip. In the wild this orchid grows as an epiphyte, which means it grows without soil, using taller trees and shrubs as support. The long, 12” blade-like leaves are a medium dark green, each growing from its own pseudobulb. Only found on orchids, a pseudobulb is modified stem for storage of energy or water. The individual creamy white flowers are ½” with golden yellow lips and grow on long feather-shaped, arching panicles. The long lasting flowers are fragrant, either like hay or licorice. Hay-scented orchids do best when root bound and should never dry out. Hay-scented orchids can be seen on the café tables in the Grand Atrium at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
- Barbara Arnold Franklin Park Conservatory
Anthurium
Photo by Carly RG Young
Date: January 8, 2012
Common name: Flamingo Flower
Light: Part shade
Height: 1-2’
Spread: 8-15”
USDA Hardiness Zone: 11-12
Origin: Columbia- Ecuador
Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraeanum an-THUR-ee-um an-dree-AY-num) is a tropical flowering plant that is beautiful both with and without blossoms. Anthurium grows in many forms, mostly evergreen, bushy or climbing epiphytes. Not requiring soil, these plants grow on taller trees and shrubs using them as support. Flamingo Flower can be easily grown indoors in loose potting soil, where humidity should be raised by misting the plant with a spray bottle. The leaves are dark glossy green, heart shaped arrows. The long lasting flowers are quite spectacular, with a yellow spadix, the spike, and a bright spathe in shades of red, white and pink. No part of the Anthurium should be eaten, as all parts are poisonous (calcium oxalate). Ingestion is rare as chewing rapidly causes painful irritation to the mouth. The Flamingo Flower can be seen in the tropical rainforest and in the Pacific Island Water Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
- Barbara Arnold Franklin Park Conservatory
Lady Finger palm
Photo by Carly RG Young
Date: January 1, 2012
Common name: Lady Palm, Lady Finger palm
Light: low light but bright
Height: 6-12’
Spread: 3-4’
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8b
Origin: Southeast China
Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa RAY-piss eck-SELL-suh) is a slow growing palm tree that adapts to a wide range of conditions and can be easily grown in homes and offices. The thick, dark green palmate leaves have individual leaf blades ranging from 6-12” in length. The trunk is covered in rough, dark brown fiber, creating an interesting texture. The lady palm is clump growing and generally does not have a single stem. This palm likes to be thoroughly wet when watered; soak the soil but do not allow the plant to sit in water for long periods of time. The lady palm also likes to be more root-bound than other potted plants. Fragrant small yellow flowers may appear in spring. The lady palm can be seen in the Pacific Island Water Garden and the historic John F. Wolfe Palm House at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
- Barbara Arnold Franklin Park Conservatory
