Flower Photo and Facts: African Lily

Exotic Plant on Okinawa

Where this specimen was spotted will come later. Taking the photo during the rainy season was

challenging but, nothing like the fun to be had researching this purple beauty.

10 Flower Facts

• AKA Lily of the Nile Agapanthusafricanus (アガパンサスアフリカス) is the Japanese name
• Plants grow fine in southern-facing gardens or planters
• They are attractive to bees, birds, and butterflies
• Deer and rabbits won't disturb, destroy or, eat these plants
• Flowers grow on tall stalks which favor facing the sun
• The plants resist wind and salty air
• This plant has been used to treat colds, coughs, chest pain, heart problems, and paralysis
• Flowers are believed to protect the wearer from thunderstorms
• Some women believe the African Lily boosts strength and fertility
• In Africa, the plant is considered an aphrodisiac

See the African Lily in the parking lot at Kin Public Library.

Learn more about this flower at the links used for research:

A to Z Flowers

Gardenia

SEE MORE OF WHAT GROWS IN OKINAWA

Jasmine Flower - Facts and Photos

Famous for Fragrance

Native to the subtropical and tropical areas of Asia, the plant has been cultivated worldwide. 

Images shown were taken with an iPhone in the wife's garden.

It's important to get them posted today because the month of March will soon end.

I like to post flowers during the season they begin blooming. Here ya go.

There are over 200 types of Jasmine plant in this species.

The flowers may be seen growing as shrubs or the plants may be vines.

Botanical Name: Jasminum

English: Jasmine

Japanese: ジャスミン (Jasmine)

Jasmine is used in weddings and religious ceremonies around the globe.

Oil extracts flowers is used in lotions, perfumes, shampoos, and soaps.

The scent of flowers is strongest in the evening hours. Women know this.

If a single woman plants the stuff outside her bedroom window, caution.

It May Be a Trick to Get Access to your Bank Accounts!

Backing off a bit shows the size of Jasmine flowers, compared to a Hibiscus.

The Jasmine flowers are about an inch in diameter. Photo - Top Left.

References and More About Jasmine:

Flower Expert

Flower Meaning

Top 25 Beautiful Jasmine Flowers

Wikipedia

Wildcat Facts and Photos - Iriomote Yamaneko

Critically Endangered Species

Scientific Name: Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis

Japanese Name: イリオモテヤマネコ - Iriomote Yamaneko

English Name: Iriomote Mountain Cat

Thousands of years ago this little critter evolved from the Leopard Family.

It can climb trees and swim wherever or whenever, it wants to.

It eats bugs, frogs, snakes, rats, birds, wild boar and fresh or saltwater fish.

A critically endangered species, there are probably only 100 remaining in the wild.

The animal is a national monument and protected in Japan, to conserve the breed.

The wildcat lives at less than 200 meters elevation in the mountains and wetlands.

When, It wants some seafood, it has to cross the only highway on the island.

When, you see this Japanese in the road, slow down. It says "Cat Crossing."

There are no know, natural predators to destroy or eat these rare and endangered felines.

The biggest contributor, to their demise, is human beings.

For folks who can't read, they posted these warning signs, to let you know, "Cat Country."

Learn more about Yamaneko

NOTE: Before everybody starts asking, I didn't shoot the Yamaneko in the wild.

The two wildcat photos above were taken indoors.  My favorite, off a TV screen !

Visit: Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center

Flower Photos and Facts: Misty Plume

Scientific Name: Iboza Riparia/Tetradenia Riparia

This one's been in the pending identification files for a few years.

It taught me a lesson: Never start thinking the wife and her sister, are crazy, again.

They kept insisting the name of the plant was Mayflower (メイフラワ-). Huh ?

Before posting anything , botanical online, I like to insure accuracy.

Three or four years ago, I first noticed these blossoms, starting around February.

They bloom in cities, along rivers, up in the hills and all over the countryside.

Ask any Okinawan and, they don't what it is or, they say Mayflower.

If, you go online and search for Mayflowers, ya ain't gonna see anything like this.

The Plant Experts Live in Holland

The wife, her sister, librarians, everyone, I apologize for thinking they were nuts.

It took a few days, after submitting some photos but, I got it now.

A Facebook Closed Group, some sweetheart hooked me up with, nailed it.

Determinatie van planten en dieren is my source. Bless them all.

A Latin, Scientific or, Botanical nomenclature, does the trick every time.

Only in Okinawa, Japan is this called a Mayflower.

Common Names

 English: Ginger Bush, Misty Plume

Japanese: Fubukibana

Okinawan: Mayflower or Fubuki-sou

Country of Origin: Africa

Medicinal Uses: 

Respiratory problems, headaches, malaria, Influenza

Headaches, stomach aches, swollen legs, fever 

Gotta Love Survivalist Stuff

Once, I have a Latin name, the research goes on, in English and Japanese.

No sense in boring the non-gardening readers with details.

Like, fragrance, soil conditions and propagation instructions.

Links provided below, will get flower fanatics, whatever they need.

This is a mystical plant and, I must quote from the source:

"Mrs Doom was ill with swollen glands, sore throat, headache, sore ears, blocked sinus,

 and was generally miserable.

I made a very simple concoction which was gargled, and then drank (I will detail the

 recipe and treatment later). Immediately the sore throat was soothed and the

 headache dulled, shortly after her sinuses cleared, about 30 minutes after treatment

 her headache was gone, not long after her glands went down, and finally her ears

 stopped hurting. She felt fantastic. This plant is magic."

Certainly, the man did some deep research probably, more thorough than, mine.

Not sure whether Mrs Doom is his wife or mother-in-law.

Suppose, he just puts a Mrs. Doom name tag on the poor gal, for scientific studies.

Anyhow, everything seems to have turned out just fine, I'm glad to report.

Visit the Doom Survival Guide for more. It's fascinating !

RESOURCES ENGLISH:

Dave's Garden

Mountain Herb Estate

Sanbi: Tetradenia riparia

Sprig: Iboza the Wonder Plant

Top Tropicals

Wikipedia

JAPANESE:

フブキバナ

Okinawa Life Photoblog

Plant Nadoyama Blog

Wikipedia

Flower: Lipstick Plant -- Facts and Photos

Aeschnanthus Radicans

 

 

Don't try pronouncing the Latin name, just call it a Lipstick Vine. OK ?

This is another flower, nobody in the Kin Library or flower shop could identify.

Thankfully, a Facebook friend, named it for me within five minutes.

If that guy ever visits Okinawa, I promised to buy him lots of beers.

The plant was spotted, blooming just a few minutes walk from my office.

So, I took a few props along, to use as background material for my photos.

Once, I got a botanical name, off I went, to gather these nifty facts.

Number One:  The plant originated in Malaysia.

Number Two:  It's an evergreen that resembles lipstick coming out of a tube.

Number Three:  The fruits and plants are not for human or animal consumption.

Number Four:  The plants grow naturally up where branches meet trees.

Number Five:  They are members of the African Violet family, called Gesneriaceae.

 REFERENCES:

Backyard Gardener

Botanic Plants Japan

Costa Farms

Missouri Botanical Gardens

Plant of the Week

Tropicals

University of Illinois

5 Facts About the Hibiscus You May Not Have Known

These Flowers Aren't Just for Lookin' At

 

 

No botanical or scientific name will be given today. Somebody else can do that part.

Researching online, these discoveries were made and, I must share them quickly.

Number One

The hibiscus plant can become a 15 foot tall, over 8 feet diameter tree.

Number Two 

In Tahiti and Hawaii, a hibiscus worn over the right ear of a woman signifies she's single.

Number Three

Fibers of the tree bark are used in Polynesia, for making grass skirts.

Number Four

In China, dye from the flowers, is used by women, to color their hair.

Number Five

Hibiscus tea is considered a source of vitamin C.

 References:

The Flower Expert

Soft Schools 

Related Post You May Enjoy:

15 Hibiscus Photos from Ie Island in Okinawa

Food Photo: Octopus on Ice at Itoman Fish Market

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax 18-250 at 58mm

Exposure: f/11   1/2sec   ISO 100

Location: Itoman City, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  AUG 27, 2015  11:55AM

 Here's What We Learned About Octopuses Today

 

• They are the smartest invertebrates you will ever find on the planet Earth.
• They learn from observing other creatures of their family and repeating their actions.
• They figure out how to solve problems and, can even unscrew a cap from a jar.
• They have been observed using rocks and shells, as tools.
• They build little forts around their homes, constructed from shells and stones gathered.
• An octopus has three hearts. One pushes blood through the body.  The others, pump the 
•  blood supply through the arms.
• They can change their body shape to mimic other animals. They change colors, as well. 
• They can lose an arm to escape capture and, it will grow back later. 

References:

National Geographic

One Kind

More About the Bird Named Osprey

Facts Collected from the Worldwide Web

 

 

The animals department at National Geographic, tells it like it is.

These birds lay eggs which hatch at different times so, older siblings are more dominant.

That way, when there isn't enough food to go around, the bigger birds get to eat.

And, the little weak ones, starve to death.

All About Birds at Cornell Lab of Ornithology says ospreys are excellent at catching fish.

The average time spent hunting for and, catching a meal is 12 minutes.

That's way faster than most people, I know.

The University of Michigan has an interesting BioKids section.

Here I learned females of this species are larger than the male birds.

These birds usually mate for life -- monogamous.

But, every now and then, a male might become polygynous and, have a few mates.

 At the National Wildlife Federation they talk about these birds diving.

Ospreys are the only raptors to plunge into the water to catch their food.

The website Audubon says, the fish hawk was formerly classified along with other hawks.

But now, the Pandion haliaetus has a family classification of its own.



In Japan the osprey is known as misago (ミサゴ) and, called taka (タカ) by many locals.