Interesting Facts About Well-Known Exotic Plants
There are several species of exotic plants that we have grown so accustomed to that we almost take them for granted. Actually what you think you know about these plants may not be all there is to them. The Venus flytrap, bamboo plants, orchids and bonsai are all very different but have one critical fact in common. They are all commonly found around us and are all considered exotic by plant experts. In this article, these common exotic plants will be reviewed in some detail. Hopefully you will learn something about these species that you didnt know before.
Venus Flytrap
The Venus flytrap was named for the Greek goddess Venus, who is commonly thought of as the goddess of love but who was also the goddess of plants. This bulb-like flower is made up of several leaves that are usually no more than six centimeters long. Actually the Venus flytrap is an herb that is carnivorous unlike most plants, which use photosynthesis to create food. This exotic plant catches insects and arachnids in a natural trap formed by its multiple leaves. Although the Venus flytrap has been transplanted successfully in many areas, it only grows naturally in North and South Carolinas swamps and bogs.
Bamboo
There are about 1000 species of bamboo found mostly in Asian, Indian, and Australian cultures. A quick growing exotic plant, many industries have begun harvesting bamboo for floor covering, window treatments, serving bowls and baskets, as well as many other less common uses. Bamboo is actually a type of grass and can be extremely invasive in a backyard setting. For this reason it is important to take careful precautions when planting ornamental bamboo as an exotic plant in your landscaping.
Orchids
Orchids are known for their beauty. They are one of the largest and most varied group of exotic flowering plants, boasting over 25,000 species. Although there are many thousands of types of Orchids, every one of them is protected as a threatened species. This prevents orchids from entering America so they must be grown in the country in greenhouses. Even hybrids of orchids are no longer allowed into the nation because officials cannot tell the difference between a true species and a hybrid.
Bonsai
Bonsai literally translates into potted plant in Japanese and tray scenery in Chinese. Not actually an exotic plant as much a tree. It is the art of growing miniature trees by planted them in containers and pruning and trimming according to the custom of the tradition. Even though Bonsai is usually associated with the Japanese culture, it originally began in China. Today the word Bonsai is used to describe both the Japanese and Chinese methods.
Ground cover plants can be incredibly helpful in landscaping, particularly over large scale areas, and so when you are planning out a landscape you want to make sure that you fill the low-traffic areas with these plants if possible, in order to use up the space in the most resourceful and aesthetically appealing way.
Pitcher Plant
One trick in particular that will help you to keep track of moisture measurement is to take a sharpened wooden pencil and then stick it into the mix.
The name was derived from its petioles that are slender in shape and are upright, and also possess dark stripes on its leaves like a tigers. Gingko biloba (also known as the Maidenhair Tree) has been marketed as a drug that can improve your memory function as well as treat vertigo. In fact some bamboo enthusiasts paid dearly when aggressive bamboo plants took over their yards and sent shoots that cracked foundations and strangled other existing vegetation.
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