(Breadfruit)

Captain William Bligh of the HMS Bounty brought breadfruit to the West Indies in the 1790s from his journeys across the South Pacific. While the precise origins of the breadfruit tree are not clear, it's likely native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Its movement by man is largely to blame. Through the centuries, peoples cultivated it for its fruit and wood and seeds were carried eastward as the islands of the South Pacific became inhabited.

Breadfruit is a fast-growing tropical tree. Both the...

(Bamboo Orchid)

Best known for its grassy foliage and beautiful, fragrant pink blooms, this species of bamboo orchid is distributed across the middle elevations from northern India to Sri Lanka, South China and Southeast Asia where growing conditions are warm and humid. In its natural habitat, this rhizomatous orchid is quite prolific and forms grassy clumps. In its natural habitat it is most commonly terrestrial (ground dwelling), though plants may also be found growing on rock faces or rarely in trees. This species...

(Giant Reed)

Giant reed is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves. In late summer it produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. It spreads by underground rhizomes and is potentially invasive in tropical and subtropical regions where it may also...

(Giant Reed, Golden Chain Giant Reed)

Giant reed is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves. In late summer it produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. It spreads by underground rhizomes and is potentially invasive in tropical and subtropical regions where it may also...

(Variegated Giant Reed)

Variegated giant reed is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves with pale yellow longitudinal stripes. In late summer it sometimes produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Although it is less robust than most other forms of giant...

(Giant Reed)

Arundo donax var. versicolor is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves with white longitudinal stripes. In late summer it sometimes produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Although it is less robust than most...

(Giant Reed)

The giant reed cultivar 'Aureovariegata' is a large, evergreen or deciduous, perennial grass with thick, hollow, cane-like stems and long, arching, green to gray-green leaves with yellow longitudinal stripes. In late summer it sometimes produces feathery plumes of light green to purplish flowers that mature to silver. Originally from southern Europe, giant reed has been widely planted and become naturalized in temperate and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Although it is less robust than most other...

(Bloodflower, Scarlet Milkweed)

Butterflies can’t resist this evergreen perennial. Blood flower is native to Mexico and South America and has naturalized throughout subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. Hummingbirds and bees are also regular visitors to the showy flowers.

The plant has upright branched stems which sport lance-shaped, opposite leaves of medium green. When broken, the stems emit a milky-white, sticky latex sap. In the heat of summer plants produce flattened clusters of small, complex red-orange flowers...

(Bloodflower, Red Butterfly Milkweed, Scarlet Milkweed)

Butterflies can’t resist this evergreen perennial. The cultivar ‘Red Butterfly’ of Indian butterfly weed are vigorous growers with brightly colored flower clusters in red, yellow that are darker than average. The stems are sturdy and flowers excellent for cutting.

Also known as blood flower, this butterfly weed is native to Mexico and South America and has naturalized throughout subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. Hummingbirds and bees are also regular visitors to the showy flowers.

The...

(Bloodflower, Scarlet Milkweed, Silky Deep Scarlet Milkweed)

Butterflies can’t resist this evergreen perennial. Silky Deep Red Indian butterfly weed is a vigorous grower with brightly colored flower clusters in rich, red and bright yellow crowns that are slightly larger than average. The stems are sturdy, plants compact, the foliage has a red-purple tone and flowers excellent for cutting.

Also known as blood flower, this butterfly weed is native to Mexico and South America and has naturalized throughout subtropical and tropical regions worldwide. Hummingbirds...