Every year about this time, stores of all sorts sell something called “Christmas Cactus,” a showy plant with segmented foliage that arches out over the sides of the pot. Since most people find the foliage relatively unimpressive, the seasonal specials are always sold in bud or with newly-opened blooms. The long, tubular flowers, which appear … Read more
Every year at holiday time, florists’ cyclamen, known as Cyclamen persicum hybrids, proliferate in all the places that sell plants. Their bright colors–reds, pinks, purples, white and bi-colors—and showy, orchid-like blooms make them the ideal holiday eye candy. I generally buy one or two, either for my own house or as gifts for friends. Being … Read more
We all have to get through the dark months of the year, when the absence of daylight, the prospect of damp, chilly weather inspires little more than a desire for sleep and sweaters. When we celebrate during at this time of year, we emphasize light in all its forms. I do this as my mother … Read more
The world is full of beautiful flowers, but the most beautiful ones have fragrance to match their good looks. That is why I always thought colorful, beruffled florists’ cyclamens, also known as Cyclamen persicum, were just a little lacking. The selective breeding that transformed an eastern Mediterranean wildflower into a modern-day floral celebrity resulted in … Read more
The island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, is home to all kinds of interesting plants and animals. My favorites among the fauna are lemurs, primates that have adapted successfully to even the harshest environments. There is something especially endearing about the ring-tailed lemurs, which hold their long tails optimistically aloft while roaming through … Read more
