AMERICAN GARDENER

Oxalis triangularis is native to South America, particularly Brazil, where it thrives in the tropical rainforests. This environment provides it with the warm, humid conditions it favors. The plant was first scientifically described and named in the 19th century. Its common name “Shamrock” or “False Shamrock” stems from the resemblance of its leaves to the … Read more

The Norfolk Island Pine is indigenous to Norfolk Island, which lies in the South Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. This small island, approximately 3.5 miles wide and 5 miles long, is a unique ecosystem where the pine has adapted to its specific conditions. The plant was first documented by Europeans during … Read more

Texas Sage is an ornamental shrub native to Texas and other southwestern regions of the United States, including parts of Mexico. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. This is is a compact, evergreen shrub. It grows well in containers, as well as garden beds and borders. The scientific name of this plant is Leucophyllum frutescens, although … Read more

Winter might seem like a time when nature takes a break, but there are several resilient flowers that thrive in the cold months. These winter bloomers bring color and life to gardens and landscapes when most other plants are dormant. The flowers come in a variety of colors, from bright and vibrant hues like red … Read more

The Butterfly Agave (Agave potatorum) is a captivating succulent native to the semi-arid highlands of Mexico, particularly between Puebla and Oaxaca. This agave earns its whimsical name from the butterfly-shaped markings that adorn its leaves. These markings can range in color from a soft, powdery blue-green to a striking silvery white.   This plant has … Read more

Agave victoriae-reginae, the Queen Victoria agave or royal agave, is a small species of succulent flowering perennial plant, noted for its streaks of white on sculptured geometrical leaves, and popular as an ornamental. A. victoriae-reginae is found in the Chihuahuan Desert in the Mexican States of Coahuila, Durango and Nuevo León, with about a half-dozen subspecies named. The situation is complicated by … Read more

Agave americana, commonly known as the century plant, maguey, or American aloe, is a flowering plant species belonging to the family Asparagaceae. It is native to Mexico and the United States, specifically Texas. Despite being called “American aloe” in common parlance, Agave americana is not a member of the same family as Aloe, although it falls under the … Read more

All 270 recognized species of the agave are identified by the leathery leaves that swirl around a central core in a rosette formation. The leaves grow from a minimum of 6 to up to 20 inches in length, and the edges are rimmed with teeth. They mature in eight to 10 years and then only … Read more

Nicotine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, is commonly associated with tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), but it is also found in varying concentrations across many other plants. These plants, many of which belong to the Solanaceae family. Plants With High Nicotine Content Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) The primary source of commercial nicotine, tobacco contains the highest concentration of nicotine … Read more