Amwoga Khalwale

Palo Blanco, Mariosousa willardiana, belongs to the Fabaceae family (legume family) within the subfamily Mimosoideae. The genus Mariosousa, named after Mexican botanist Mario Sousa, includes about 13 species, split from the Acacia genus following the 2005 International Botanical Congress due to DNA evidence distinguishing non-Australian acacias. Previously known as Acacia willardiana or Mariosousa heterophylla, its … Read more

Coastal Rosemary, scientifically known as Westringia fruticosa, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, commonly referred to as the mint family, which includes aromatic plants like rosemary and lavender. It is part of the genus Westringia, comprising about 30 species native to Australia. The species name fruticosa comes from Latin, meaning “shrubby” or “bushy,” reflecting its growth … Read more

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia and related species) is a versatile, low-growing perennial ground cover prized for its vibrant foliage and spreading habit. Part of the Primulaceae family, it offers a range of cultivars and related species with varied colors, textures, and growth patterns, making it ideal for borders, containers, rock gardens, or hanging baskets. While … Read more

Creeping Jenny, scientifically known as Lysimachia nummularia, belongs to the Primulaceae family, which includes primroses and other herbaceous plants. It is part of the genus Lysimachia, comprising around 150–180 species of flowering plants, primarily native to temperate and subtropical regions. The species name nummularia derives from the Latin nummus, meaning “coin,” referring to the plant’s … Read more

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly called the Judas Tree or Mediterranean Redbud, belongs to the Fabaceae family (legume or pea family) within the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It is part of the genus Cercis, which includes approximately 10 species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. The genus name Cercis comes … Read more

The Chinese Redbud, Cercis chinensis, is a member of the Fabaceae family, commonly known as the legume or pea family, within the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It belongs to the genus Cercis, which encompasses about 10 species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. The genus name Cercis originates … Read more

The Eastern Redbud, scientifically known as Cercis canadensis, belongs to the Fabaceae family, commonly referred to as the legume or pea family. It is part of the genus Cercis, which includes several species of redbuds native to North America, Europe, and Asia. The species is divided into three subspecies: canadensis, texensis, and mexicana, with canadensis … Read more

Desert Ironwood, scientifically known as Olneya tesota, belongs to the Fabaceae family, commonly referred to as the legume or pea family. It is the only species in the genus Olneya, making it monotypic. Classified as a perennial tree or large shrub, it falls within the subfamily Faboideae, characterized by its nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Its taxonomic hierarchy … Read more

The term “ironwood” refers to various tree species worldwide, valued for their dense, hard wood, often denser than water (approximately 1000 kg/m³ or 62 lb/ft³). It’s not a single species but a common name applied to trees across different genera and regions, typically prized for durability in construction, tools, or crafts. These trees, scattered across … Read more