Coriander flowers pictures, information.

A native to Southwest Asia and North Africa, coriander is probably one of the oldest known herbs.It has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years for its medicinal and culinary properties.Fresh leaves, commonly known as Cilantro, are used as flavouring to salads, soups and other dishes, and remains one of the most widely today.Dried seeds are popular in exotic cuisine, adding a strong scent to cakes and curries.Medicinally, coriander has long been used as a domestic remedy for digestive problems.Please consult with your doctor before using coriander for health related purposes. Coriander seeds has a mild and sweet scent. The leaves has a fresh taste, but some people find its taste 'soapy'.

 Coriander is a soft, hairless plant, growing to 50 cm tall, with variable shaped leaves. The leaves are broadly lobed at the base of the plant and slender and feathery higher on the flowery stems. The asymmetrical, white or pale pink flowers are borne in small umbels, with the petals pointing away from the umbels is longer (5-6 mm) than those pointing towards it (1-3 mm). the fruit is a globular dry schizocarp 3-5 mm in diameter. 

 All part of coriander plant is edible, but fresh leaves and dried seeds are the parts commonly used in cooking. The leaves have a different taste from the seeds. The flavours have been compared to those of the stink bug, as similar chemical groups are involved (aldehydes). The fresh leaves are used as garnish, added into dishes, and used in salad or sauces. The leaves spoil quickly once remove from the plant, and lose their aroma when dried or frozen. Coriander contains antioxidants, which can delay or prevent the spoilage of food. Both the leaves and seeds contain antioxidants, but the leaves have stronger effect. Chemicals derived from coriander leaves were found to have antibacterial activity against Salmonella choleraesuis.

Coriander has been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia in Iran. It is also a traditional treatment for diabetes, as the extract had both insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity. Coriander is extremely easy to grow in almost any soil. It grows quickly, producing harvest able cilantro (the leaves) in a month or so and coriander (the seeds) in about 90 days. The flowers of coriander are attractive to many kinds of beneficial insects and the foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of swallowtail butterflies. 

Acanthus flowers pictures information.

Geographical origin:
South eastern Europe, eastern Mediterranean areas, north eastern Italy and western Turkey. 

Acanthus are large plants of between 30 and 120 cm and are often used as border plants. Acanthus have spiky leaves and purple flowers.

 Typically flowers from late spring and throughout the summer. Although spines are the norm for this plant, they are too soft to harm those that touch them. One of my sources says they are vicious plants, but I'm thinking they meant the species A. spinosus var. spinosissimus, which has wicked ways with wicked spines.

Acanthus comes from the Greek word acanthos, meaning thorn. It's easy to figure out what its epithet spinosus means and you are correct if you thought spines.

The common name, bear's breeches, is somewhat puzzling; however, it was originally derived from brank-ursine, a Latin word for bear's claw. It appears that time and translations might have something to do with how it ended up as breeches instead of claw. Callimachos, fifth century Athens sculptor and architect, is credited for using an acanthus leaf as a design for Corinthian column capitals. The leaf design is still used today as a design element. It's no wonder that the in the Victorian language of flowers acanthus signified artistic skills and fine arts.

This is a bold, spectacular plant and not for those who want a dainty look. Planting its tropical form in with hostas and ferns makes a grand statement in the shade garden.

 Common Names: Bear's Breeches, Mountain thistle
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial.
Height: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm).
Native: Europe, Western Asia.
USA: Zones 5 to 10.
Flowers: Late Spring and Summer.
Flower Details: Purple, pink, white. (Beware of spikes beneath flowers)
Foliage: Sharp spiky leaves. Variegated. Evergreen. Herbaceous.
Sow Outdoors: 1/4 inch (5mm). Following last frost or Autumn. Spacing 36 to 48 inches (90 to 120cm).
Sow Indoors: Use Peat pots. Germination time: 3 to 4 weeks. Temperature 50 to 60�F (10 to 15 �C). Sow in late winter, transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full Sunlight or light shade. Soil pH 6 to 7 for best results. Good drainage. Deep soils. Water during prolonged dry spells. Propagate by root cuttings in the autumn.

How to Grow Acanthus

It is best to plant Acanthus at a depth of 1/2 cm, 90 to 120 cm apart after the last frost of spring or in the autumn.Acanthus prefers light and can be grown in full sunlight or in partly shady conditions. The soil should be deep and well drained, ideally at a pH between 6 and 7. Acanthus plants are unlikely to survive in wet areas. They require 20 to 25 days for germination at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. If growing the plant indoors it should be sown in late winter to early spring in peat pots before transferring outside in the early spring.

Acanthus is a very easy plant to care for, it requires watering until flowering only when conditions become too dry.

Yellow lily flowers pictures.

Asiatic Lily 'Medallion'
COLOR: yellow
HEIGHT: 26"
LOCATION: Sun
DURATION: June - July
USE: Bedding plant, cut flower.
ZONE: 3-8
SIZE: 16-18cm

CONSIDERATIONS: Fragrant, 12 flowers per bulb. Plant 12-18" apart.

Yellow lily flowers pictures. Lilies have been associated with many ancient myths. They are mentioned in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, and symbolize chastity and virtue. Even today, lilies are associated with purity and faith.