Trivia Archives

Q. What Perennial emits a flammable gas?

A. Dictamnus albus
Gas Plant, Burning Bush

Not to be confused with Euonymous alatus (Burning Bush, also). Dictamnus albus is an early-summer blooming perennial.  This gas producing, perennial grows 2'-3' ht. Has white or pink/rose flowers along its tall stems. 

This plant exudes a volatile gas just beneath its flowers.  It is said that "on a calm evening, one can light a match near the flower base and see a brief blue flame."

Slow to establish and difficult to transplant, if you want flames, you will have to be patient.  The foliage and flowers may also cause skin irritation.

Q. Who is Harry Lauder? Why a Walking Stick?

Click here for the story.

What's this? This is the ripened fruit of Cornus kousa or Kousa Dogwood. After a wonderful display of giant ivory flowers, green fruits develop and turn a brilliant scarlet red. This is truly a tree of many colors - White flowers in late spring, red fruit in mid to late summer and magnificent burgundy fall leaf color. Now you know...click here for more.   What plant was once referred to as the Carolina Kidney Bean? Wisteria This plant was named for Dr. Caspar Wistar, who was a professor and botanist at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1700's.  There are actually three species, one from China, one from Japan and one from America, which back in the 1700's was once called the 'Carolina Kindney Bean.'  This Wisteria was given the botanical name Glycine frutescens.

 

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