- Under the umbrella - (2)
In 2020 I saw, for the first time, this entirely flowered African tree in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. The exotic form of the flowers has enchanted me, and the petals (so difficult to photograph because they are curly) have a color pattern and drawing that reminds me of the skin of a leopard.
In my last visit to the Botanical Garden, I found some remaining flowers hidden under the large leaves. The focus is not on the best, but the beauty of the set has impressed me again.
Monodora Myristica / Nutmeg-African or Tree-of-Orchids
Origin: occurs more often in West Africa, but reaches the east of this continent (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania).
Family: Annonaceae.
The tree has medium to large size (7-10 m), branched from the base. Its leaves are showy and decorative, measuring up to 35 cm long by 18 cm wide.
Cultivation: Easy maintenance in tropical and mild subtropical climates, at full or half shade. Prefers deep and fertile soils, rich in organic matter.
The flowers are fragrant and pending, standing out for the large and colorful size very exotic, which resembles that of orchids.
The fruit is woody and large as a gourd where the most valued part is the seed, black and flattened.
These seeds are widely used in Africa in the same way as the nutmeg (fragrans), ie, grated to spicy soups, stews and cakes. They also have medicinal properties, being applied as stimulating and in the treatment of migraine. They are also estimated as an amulet and are good for handicrafts.
In and out for some days.
Be patient with me, Flickr friends ;)
- Under the umbrella - (2)
In 2020 I saw, for the first time, this entirely flowered African tree in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. The exotic form of the flowers has enchanted me, and the petals (so difficult to photograph because they are curly) have a color pattern and drawing that reminds me of the skin of a leopard.
In my last visit to the Botanical Garden, I found some remaining flowers hidden under the large leaves. The focus is not on the best, but the beauty of the set has impressed me again.
Monodora Myristica / Nutmeg-African or Tree-of-Orchids
Origin: occurs more often in West Africa, but reaches the east of this continent (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania).
Family: Annonaceae.
The tree has medium to large size (7-10 m), branched from the base. Its leaves are showy and decorative, measuring up to 35 cm long by 18 cm wide.
Cultivation: Easy maintenance in tropical and mild subtropical climates, at full or half shade. Prefers deep and fertile soils, rich in organic matter.
The flowers are fragrant and pending, standing out for the large and colorful size very exotic, which resembles that of orchids.
The fruit is woody and large as a gourd where the most valued part is the seed, black and flattened.
These seeds are widely used in Africa in the same way as the nutmeg (fragrans), ie, grated to spicy soups, stews and cakes. They also have medicinal properties, being applied as stimulating and in the treatment of migraine. They are also estimated as an amulet and are good for handicrafts.
In and out for some days.
Be patient with me, Flickr friends ;)