Tag Archives: weed

Crucifix Orchid

November 20, 2011Plantscrucifix orchid, edible, Epidendrum, Epidendrum ibaguense, introduced, weedJoe Lipson

Epidendrum ibaguense

The crucifix Orchid is popular among the houses in our area. It must have been fashionable at some time in past, or possibly have spread itself from a single stating point. It’s a hardy plant that has taken over large areas of the garden without any special care. It grows as dense stands to about 1.5m high. Individual plants consist of a thin bamboo like central stem with thick oval shaped leaves sprouting directly off it in an alternating pattern.

I just read that the leaves of the purple variety are edible and taste like watermelon. Well, I just tried a leaf from one of the orange ones and they taste like watermelon too! More like artificial watermelon flavour, kind of like watermelon flavoured Nerds.

The flowers are the most striking part of the plant, the varieties in our garden bloom in clusters of vivid red or orange flowers. Each individual flower has a cross shape, hence the name.

As well as seeding, the plant spreads by growing small daughter plants complete with roots from off it’s central stem. The daughter then breaks off, takes root and grows into a new plant.

I’ve removed a lot of crucifix orchid from the garden already, I’d like to get rid of most of it, thankfully the roots are shallow making it easy to pull out.

Crucifix Orchids growing in a crack in a rock. The Wallabies snack on them.

More Info:

The Queensland Gardening Pages

Heart Garden Friends

Pitted Crassula

September 20, 2011PlantsCape Province Pygmy Weed, Crassula, Crassula multicava, weed, yardJoe Lipson

Crassula multicava

Another breakout that has colonized large parts of the front garden. The Pitted Crassula, also know as Cape Province Pygmy Weed is originally from South Africa and is considered by some to be a weed over here. It’s a small ground hugging plant with light green thick succulent leaves. The leaves are covered in small pitts or divots, flowers are white to light pink and look like a 4 pronged star.

Nothing much more to say except this plant’s days in the yard are numberd, on reflection of the time I spend gardening those numbers could be in the 1000’s, but they are still numbered.

more info:

Fishbone Fern

September 13, 2011Plantsfern, Native, Nephrolepis, Nephrolepis cordifolia, weedJoe Lipson

Nephrolepis cordifolia

“A fern with narrow erect fronds, often spreading over large areas.” – NPOS p.310

Everyone except me ( neighbors, mum ) seemed to know all about the fishbone fern. Even though it’s a native to Australia where it naturally occurs in Queensland and Northern NSW, it’s considered a weed in Sydney. It does tend to take over parts of the garden, especially places I’ve cleared of other weeds.

The plant sketches in NPOS are usually very good, but for the Fishbone Fern I didn’t think it looked like the plant I saw. I checked a few other sources to make sure I had the right plant.

I’ll be cutting this back in the garden.