BASELLA ALBA

(A variety of Basella alba with deep red and purple stems in the Philippines.)

Basella alba is an edible perennial vine in the family Basellaceae. It is found in tropical Asia and Africa where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable. It is known under various common names, including Pui, vine spinach, red vine spinach, climbing spinach, creeping spinach, buffalo spinach, malabar spinach and ceylon spinach among others

Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres (33 ft) in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. The stem of the cultivar Basella alba 'Rubra' is reddish-purple.

Basella alba grows well under full sunlight in hot, humid climates and in areas lower than 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level. The plant is native to tropical Asia. Growth is slow in low temperatures resulting in low yields. Flowering is induced during the short-day months of November to February. It grows best in sandy loam soils rich in organic matter with pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.0.

Typical of leaf vegetables, Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie. The succulent mucilage is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber. Among many other possibilities, Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers.

In the Philippines the leaves of this vegetable is one of the main ingredients in an all vegetable dish called utan that is served over rice.

special thanks to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basella_alba

SOMETHING GREEN LEAFY

SOMETHING GREEN LEAFY

PIC # 1 Grass (Tihoe-tihoe in akeanon / aklanon dialect)

Location: Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines

 PIC #2 Grass (Tihoe-tihoe in akeanon / aklanon dialect)

Location: Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines

 PIC # 3 Leaf
 Location: Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines

PIC # 4 Leaves
Location: Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines

 PIC # 5 Bermuda Grass
Location: Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines

PIC #6 Bermuda Grass
Location: Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines

PIC # 7 Pine Tree Leaves

Location: Tagaytay City, Philippines

PIC #8 

Location: Panay, Capiz, Philippines

CALADIUM PLANTS

Caladiums ay isang kapansin-pansin na kapalit para sa mga bulaklak, na may kanilang mga puso hugis-dahon at splashes ng kulay-rosas, puti at pula.

Caladium with red leaf with green round

   

 Caladium with white leaf with green veins 

Mini Caladium with white leaf with green

Caladium /kəˈleɪdiəm/^[1] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are often known by the common name elephant ear (which they share with the closely related genera Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma), Heart of Jesus,^[2] and Angel Wings. There are over 1000 named cultivars of Caladium bicolor from the original South American plant.^[3]

The genus Caladium includes seven species, which are indigenous to Brazil and to neighboring areas of South America and Central America. They grow in open areas of the forest and on the banks of rivers and go dormant during the dry season. The wild plants grow to 15–35 inches (40–90 cm) tall, with leaves mostly 6-18 inches (15–45 cm) long and broad.

Cultivation and Uses

Several species are grown as ornamental plants for their large, arrowhead-shaped leaves marked in varying patterns in white, pink, and red (somewhat resembling the unrelated coleus) and have been in cultivation in Europe since the late 18th century. The two forms most widely cultivated are called "fancy-leaved" and "lance-leaved". The former is the more commonly seen and is the traditional caladium of cultivation; the leaves are more heart-shaped. The latter has more lance-head-shaped leaves. Most Caladiums in cultivation grow to about 24 inches (60 cm) high and 24 inches (60 cm) wide, although dwarf varieties are now in cultivation.

Numerous cultivars have been selected, most of them (over 120) derived from C. bicolor. The lance-leaved varieties are also derived from C. schomburgkii. Many are sold as C. x hortulanem.

Caladiums grow from corms and can be propagated by dividing the tubers. They are hardy only to USDA plant hardiness zone 10; in colder areas, they are typically grown as tender bulbs or as houseplants.

During their growing season, they require moderate watering (damp, not soggy). Most varieties prefer partial to full shade, although sun-resistant varieties are now in cultivation. Approximately 98% of all caladium bulbs are from Lake Placid, Florida, in the United States. In recent years many new varieties have become available through breeding and are now largely disease resistant. The bulk of bulb production is sold to pot producers who in turn provide your local nursery outlets with potted caladiums ready for immediate planting. Most of the bulb growers also sell direct retail via websites, shipping of bulbs takes place in the spring when temperatures permit (bulbs are subject to damage if temps too low).

In temperate areas, they should be lifted before the first frost. The corms are dried and stored for the winter when temperatures fall to 65 °F (18 °C), and stored moderately dry (not bone-dry) over the winter at temperatures between 56 °F (13 °C) and 61 °F (16 °C).

All parts of the plant are poisonous. They should not be ingested and may irritate sensitive skin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caladium