Stapeia gigantea, commonly called Giant Toad Plant, is a cactus like plant native to south eastern Africa. The greens of the Toad Plant have four angled deep ribs with toothed edges. They are clump-forming and can grow up to 8 inches long. The 5 petal star shaped flowers are pale yellow with thin red wrinkles, covered in a fuzzy hairs. These giant flowers can grow up to 12 inches wide and emit a deathly carrion odor. [Read more…] about Stapeia Gigantea – Giant Toad Plant
succulent
Chopping Down the Pencil Plant
Over the years my Pencil Cactus ‘Euphorbia tirucalli’ has grown rather tall, so tall that it barely fits in a single image. Instead of growing as a thick pencily bush, my plant has grown upwards in spurts creating a lanky tree over four feet tall. As the soaringly high limbs began to droop over, I knew it would only be a matter of time before this plant could no longer hold it’s own head up. The decision was made – it was time to chop it down and propagate some new Pencil Cactus plants. [Read more…] about Chopping Down the Pencil Plant
Bishop’s Cap Cactus
The Bishop’s Cap Cactus is a spineless cactus usually comprised of 5 ribs, although it can be anywhere from 3-7 ribs, which form a starlike globular shape. Down the center of each rib grows flocked trichomes, generally brown or white in color. More ribs may grow as it ages, it can grow up to three feet long. The flowers are generally pale yellow followed by a red fruit. [Read more…] about Bishop’s Cap Cactus
Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Visit
By the time March rolls around I am beyond ready for spring to take off. Longer days are near and soon green will be sprouting up everywhere. I live only a couple miles from the Garfield Park Conservatory, an outrageously beautiful greenhouse full of luscious thriving plants. It’s the perfect oasis, and for whatever reason, I rarely visit any conservatory during the winter. What’s up with that? It’s like I must forget that I have the option and choose hibernation instead. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. Once April hits, it’s time to get out and catch up with all my favorite green spots in the area. Naturally, the first stop was the Garfield Park Conservatory. There is a lot to see there, so I’ll just share a few images from two of my favorite rooms.