If you live in a warm climate, you will love sedum. Also known as stonecrop, sedum is a succulent plant that thrives in poor, dry soil and lots of heat. Sedum varieties include groundcovers and what are known as "tall" sedums, which grow to heights of 10 to 24 inches. The tall sedums, while tolerant of heat, are also adapted to colder regions. Officially, they are hardy to zone 3 on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Although sedums are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, like all plants they may encounter problems.
Orchids are a large family of flowers, encompassing more than 20,000 species and 100,000 hybrids. Many varieties are widely available, though for collectors and orchid enthusiasts, the rarer, the better. It is this rareness that makes some orchids desirable. Two types of orchids exist: terrestrial varieties that grow on the ground and epiphytes that grow in trees. Both types include members that are endangered.
Rare and unusual trees and plants may be prized for their diverse flowers, foliage, bark, form or fruits. Whether you seek rare specimens to use as eye-catching conversation pieces in your home landscape or unusual species to complement an existing landscape design, such plants can be hard to find. The Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends searching landscape or mail order nurseries for these elusive plants. Before planting, determine your site's soil, moisture, sun and temperature conditions.
There are several factors used to classify a plant as "rare." A plant can be rare in that it is no longer growing to the extent that it once did in its natural environment. A plant can be rare in that it is growing and thriving in a climate or habitat that is atypical of its native habitat. As well, a plant can be rare in terms of displaying unusual colorations or markings on its flowers or leaves, is taller or shorter height than what is typical for its species, or is considered rare because it is a new cultivar…
Both home gardeners and professional farmers have to do battle with unwanted weeds. These weeds can make flower gardens look unkempt and can compete with a farmer's crops for nutrients and water. One solution to a weed problem is spraying the offending plants with an herbicide such as Roundup, the most commonly used herbicide worldwide. According to the label, the active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate, which poses a hazard to more than just weeds.
Some hardwood floors are bad for the environment, while others are not. A definitive answer about environmental impact cannot be tied to a specific type of wood, nor a specific manufacturer. Since there is more than one type of hardwood floor, additional considerations regarding environmental friendliness must also be taken into account.
In 1974, the Monsanto company first introduced the non-selective weed killer Roundup. The herbicide contains the hotly debated active ingredient, glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicides, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Roundup is approved for weed control in 100 crops; Monsanto, the worlds largest seed producer, has also introduced genetically modified alfalfa, corn, soybeans, cotton and corn, which can withstand glyphosate. Concerns abound about the dangers it poses to humans, wildlife and the environment.
Tropical shade plants provide an exotic touch to any garden, whether indoor or outdoor. These plants can be conversation pieces, as well as providing the gardener with color and blooms throughout the growing season. Shade-based tropical plants can be grown outside but often fare better inside where they can be kept warm all year long.
Saving seeds from rare plants is an important step to their preservation. Plants that are open-pollinated or self-pollinated have developed naturally over time and have kept their traits for decades and sometimes even centuries. It is important to understand where to find their seed, how to collect it, how to prepare it for storage, and what storage conditions are best in order to successfully save viable seed for future cultivation.
Plants and fruits are rare because of habitat, ecological threats and geographical location. Some plants and fruits grow in seldom-traveled locations while others are rare because of lack of cultivation. The United States lists threatened and endangered plants.
Rare flowers are plant species seldom viewed because of their elusive habitats or diminished because of ecological threats. Rare flowers span the world, growing in areas like mountaintops, rain forests, tropical jungles and greenhouses.
Rare flowers are plants that do not grow in abundance or thrive only in certain areas because of ecological changes. The U.S. government has granted protection for many rare perennial flowers, designating them threatened or endangered species.
In the United States, the federal and state governments classify plants by the level of risk the plant has for extinction. Florida has numerous types of rare plants that the government lists as species of special concern, meaning they're threatened or endangered.
Plant monitoring consists of collecting qualitative and quantitative data related to a study area's vegetation through time. By performing a standardized sampling method on a monthly, seasonal or yearly basis, researchers determine the health of the local plant populations and develop management steps to conserve native vegetative. The same sampling method in the same study area must be undertaken to ensure accurate data collection.
Rare, unusual and exotic plants are sometimes difficult to locate and acquire. Master gardeners, horticultural hobbyists and home gardeners find great satisfaction and a sense of pride when cultivating unusual flowering plants that their peers have not seen before. With the advent of the Internet, large specialty nurseries and small, independent growers now offer their treasures online.
Growing rare plants is not a difficult feat if you have the proper know-how. Selecting a plant whose needs match your intended growing location, indoors or out, as well as the amount of light the plant needs will give you the best chance of successfully growing the plant and getting it to bloom. Red flowers are fairly common, but black flowers, in reality, are usually either deep red or purple.
Most gardeners enjoy a cultivating challenge and sharing the results with other gardeners. is is one of the major allures of cultivating rare seeds. Seeds can become rare for a number of reasons. Heirloom tomato seeds, chamomile seeds, baobab tree seeds and others illustrate different causes of rarity and also show what individuals and organizations are doing to prevent their extinction.
Rare grassland plants are considered threatened or endangered species because their habitat has been converted to cropland, according to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service,. These plants have been added to the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Endangered species are plants so rare they on the verge of becoming extinct. Threatened species are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. There are 793 flowering plant species listed. The habitat of the rare grasslands plants is being protected by the federal government.
Taiga (Russian for "forest") is a word widely used for the largest biome in the world, the coniferous or "boreal" forests that cover North America, Europe and Asia. Biomes are areas that are related due to shared ecological systems, climate and geography. Marked by long, snowy winters and short, warm summers, the taiga's most common plants are evergreen trees. Flowering plants are particularly rare in taiga areas.
The Great Dismal Swamp, located in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, covers more than 111,000 acres of wetlands filled with a variety of flora and rare plants. The swamp's plant life falls into five major forest types, including cedars, cypress and sweetgum-oak forests. The Great Dismal Swamp also plays host to three non-forested types of plant communities, including marshes, a sphagnum bog and an evergreen shrub. Within these communities, a number of rare plants can be found.
Rain forests contain hundreds of animal and plant species and cover 6 percent of the Earth's surface, according to the Rain Tree website. Temperate and tropical rain forests differ in climate, but both are the source of plants used in everything from building to medicine. Ecological organizations are trying to save many of the rarest rain forest plants, but some will still go extinct, making the protection of these environments of vital importance.
Roundup is a weedkiller made by Monsanto, commonly used in both residential and agricultural settings. There is an active debate over the risks to humans of Roundup, and its active ingredient, glyphosate. Monsanto insists that, when used according to product guidelines, Roundup presents no health risk. Although not conclusively settled, studies have suggested several key areas of concern.
Stretching from San Luis Obispo county to the Mexico border, southern California is a vast and ecologically diverse region encompassing numerous habitats. Although heavily urbanized, southern California still maintains several wildlife areas rich in plant life, including a variety of rare and endangered species. Many of the rarest plant species in southern California exist in other parts of the state but have dwindled in numbers regionally due to development-driven habitat loss.
Heirloom seeds are seeds handed down from generation to generation. Heirloom seeds differ from hybrid seed in that heirlooms are open-pollinated varieties, rather than engineered ones. Many gardeners prefer heirloom seeds because they feel the fruits and vegetables retain distinct tastes, smells and textures that are lost in the hybrid seed process. Among heirloom seeds are rare varieties that are difficult to find but worth the effort. Some heirloom seed companies offer the rare varieties. If you plant a rare variety, keep the seeds pure by growing it away from other varieties.
Propagating unusual seeds to grow rare plants can be an interesting hobby as well as a contribution to the biodiversity of the planet. Destruction of habitat around the world contributes to the rarity of plants that grow in limited areas, and dedicated people rescuing and propagating seeds from these areas help to keep these plants from extinction.
Desert biomes feature specific environmental patterns that make them harder to adapt to for many plants. Deserts tend to be drier and sunnier than other areas; they can also feature cold frosts at night. Because of this, the plant life living within deserts may not be common outside of deserts. In some cases, a plant may be so rare that it exists in only a select few desert areas.
Flowering plants could be considered rare for a variety of reasons, from characteristics such as color, to number of plants, to how often they bloom. The Koutruk Lei, for example, flowers every nine years.
Rare aquatic plants can be a special addition to your pond or tank. Before purchasing rare aquatic plants, be sure that the environment you're prepared for them will keep them alive and hearty. Some rare aquatic plants are found in few natural environments, making them always close to extinction.
Kentucky, known for rolling plains and horse racing, is also home to some of the United State's rare and endangered plants. The state houses several families of plants rarely found outside of Kentucky, and often rarely found within the state. According to a list published by the University of Kentucky, there are also eight plants native to the state on the endangered species list.
Peonies are similar to roses and are popular for their fragrance and array of colors in shades of white, pink and red. They are also easy to grow, particularly in hot areas with full sun. The peony plant was originally grown for its roots, seeds and leaves, which were used to treat a variety of illnesses. Today, the rarest peonies are typically those derived from intersectional crosses among subtypes.
Boswellia serrata, or Indian frankincense, is a spice extracted from the resin of the Indian boswellia tree. This resin is normally used as an incense, but it contains boswellic acid that contains medicinal properties.
The vast continent of Africa hosts a plethora of animals and plants in its wide variety of ecosystems. But the stresses of human activity and climate are devouring habitats of some of Africa's rarest plants.
The Philippines are home to a large and diverse group of plants. Much of the Philippines is covered in tropical rainforests with various epiphytes, vines and climbers. Orchids and ferns are two Philippine plants that grow in large numbers in the forests. However, there are also a handful of rare plants that are found in the Philippines.
Located in southern Florida, the Everglades are the largest tract of subtropical wetlands in the United States, covering more than 4,300 square miles. Within this vast expanse of wilderness there are nine distinct ecosystems, providing habitat for hundreds of species. Plants and algae thrive in the warmth and moisture of the Everglades, including many endemic, rare and endangered species.
For gardeners that like to stay away from common, popular plants, there are many tropical and rare plants to shake up their landscaping. These tropical plants may need special instructions on planting or maintaining, but the difference they make in a landscape may well be worth it. For more tropical planting ideas, add water features and interesting rock formations for texture.
Known as "The Mountain State," the rugged topography of the Appalachian mountain range defines the state. Many of the heavily forested areas of the state fall within protected parklands, such as George Washington National Forest and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, providing ample habitat for the many endemic and rare plant species that live there.
The island of Mauritius, east of the island of Madagascar, which is off the southeast coast of Africa, contains more rare species of plants than many other places in the world. Excessive logging and land clearance for agricultural use has already caused 53 Mauritian plant species to go extinct. Of the 1,243 species left on Mauritius, 393 plants are threatened with extinction, reports the Endangered Species Handbook (ESH). According to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) 150 of these plants are listed as critically endangered on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCF); they are known…
Rare plants are plants that are highly scarce and uncommon throughout the planet. Rare plants are not necessarily classified as threatened or endangered, but are nonetheless small in number. Some examples of extremely rare plants include the Baker's larkspur from California in the United States, the Virginia round-leaf birch from Virginia and the Wollemi pine from Australia.
Earth is home to an amazing array of biological diversity, including more than 250,000 varieties of plants. The scarcity of certain plant species can be accounted for by human interference and natural disaster, although just as many plants are rare by design due to low reproductive rates and physical isolation. Most of the rarest plants in the world can only be found within their natural habitat, but some botanical gardens hold specimens for research and display.
If you're looking for a plant that is sure to start conversations, or you just like the unusual, you can't go wrong with a rare flowering plant. Many of these plants are tropical and aren't often seen on the market, usually due to a requirement for unique growing conditions or to scarcity in the wild. Rare plants may be grown as houseplants outside of their natural habitats, adding an air of the exotic to your indoor landscape.
Over the centuries, many plant species existed but, as years passed, became extinct. When plants become extinct, they can throw off the entire ecosystem. That is why many U.S. states and countries around the world have implemented programs for saving rare plants. Rare plants are plant groups that once were widespread in a certain state, region, or geographic area but are becoming less abundant. Methods of preserving rare plants include highlighting their importance and implementing propagation and reintroduction measures.
Having your own asparagus bed is a luxury that takes time to build. Fresh asparagus is so sweet and tender it can be eaten raw. However, if you have to move, transplanting the bed can be quite a chore if you do not know how. Take a few minutes to understand how to treat the asparagus and save yourself a lot of time and heartache.