Draecena reflexa

Classification:

Class:Monocotyledons

Series:Coronarieae

Family:Liliaceae

Distribution:

Draecena reflexa is cosmopolitan in distribution.The plants are distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions..

Description:

Draecena reflexa is an irregularly shaped,upright growing plant..The stem is aerial,erect,woody below and herbaceous above..Leaves are alternate,simple,entire,lanceolate and have parallel venation..Flowers are white in colour..

Uses:

Draecena reflexa is a popular ornamental plant..The strong fibres from the leaves of plants are used in cordage industry..Leaves and flowers are good for healing ulcers and for promoting hair growth and colour of hair..Flowers have been found to be effective in treating arterial hypertension and have significant anti-fertility effects..It is extensively used for black colouring of hair...

Dracena augustifolia - Dragon's blood

Dracena augustifolia is also commonly known as Dragon's blood..

Classification:

Class:Monocotyledons

Series:Coronarieae

Family:Liliaceae

Distribution:

Dracena augustifolia is cosmopolitan in distribution.These plants are distributed in tropical and sub-tropical region..

Description:

Dracena augustifolia is a large shrub and grows up to 7 m..Branches are  brown in colour..Leaves are simple,alternate with sheating with sheathing leaf base and parallel venation..Flowers appear in panicles or racemes..Flowers are typical timorous..

Uses:

Dracena augustifolia is a popular ornamental plant..The strong fibres from the leaves of these plants are used in cordage industry..They yield red resinous juice called "dragon's blood"

Codiaeum variegatum Gold dust - Gold dust croton

Codiaeum variegatum Gold dust is commonly known as Gold dust croton..

Classification:

Class:Dicotyledons

Sub-class:Monochlamydeae

Series:Unisexuales

Family:Euphorbiaceae

Distribution:

Codiaeum variegatum Gold dust is distributed in tropical areas of Malaysia,Southern Asia and Pacific islands.

Description:

Codiaeum variegatum Gold dust can reach up to a height of 12 feet.'Aureo-maculatum' or gold dust croton has dark green leaves which are splattered with bright yellow dots..The yellow spots will fade away on the new growth if the light is low.

Uses:

Codiaeum variegatum Gold dust croton is an evergreen shrub very popular for growing both indoors and outdoors..Some crotons are large and are used as hedges and specimen plants..They also grow well in containers..These plants are grown as ornamental plants..

Codiaeum variegatum banana - Banana croton

Codiaeum variegatum banana is commonly known as banana croton..

Classification:

Class:Dicotyledons

Sub-class:Monochlamydeae

Series:Unisexuales

Family:Euphorbiaceae

Distribution:

Codiaeum variegatum banana is distributed is tropical areas of Malaysia,Southern Asia and Pcific islands..

Description:

Codiaeum variegatum banana can reach up to a height of 12 feet..This croton variety has approximately 8" long leaves that form a dense full plant..They are used in mass plantings or as interior specimens..There are different variations of banana crotons and they differ in colour also..'Majesticum' is a variation which has 10" long linear leaves with midrib veins yellow maturing to red..

Uses:

Codiaeum variegatum banana is an ever green shrub very popular for growing indoor as well as outdoor are best suited to green house or sunrooms..They can be raised as screens for compound walls or on a lawn edge as specimen plants..They also grow well in containers..The plant in grown as ornamental plant..

Codiaeum variegatum Mammy - Mammy - Fire croton

Codiaeum variegatum Mammy is commonly known as Mammy or fire croton...

Classification:

Class:Dictoyledons

Sub-class:Monochlamydeae

Series:Unisexuales

Family:Euphorbiaceae

Distribution:

Codiaeum variegatum Mammy is distributed in tropical areas of Malaysia,Southern Asia and Pacific islands..

Description:

Codiaeum variegatum Mammy can reach a height of 12 feet..This colouful variety croton has narrow twisted leaves..The red,green,yellow and almost black colours on this plant have earned it the nick name "fire croton"

Uses:

Codiaeum variegatum Mammy is an ever green shrub and is very popular for growing indoors as well as outdoors..Ther are also best suited to green houses and sun rooms..Some crotons have large leaves and are used as hedges and specimen plants.They are grow well in containers.These plants are grown as ornamental plants..

Codiaeum variegatum pictum - Petra croton - Autumn plant

Codiaeum variegatum pictum is otherwise known as Petra croton or Autumn plant

Classification:

Class:Dicotyledons

Sub-class:Monocotyledons

Series:Unisexuales

Family:Euphorbiaceae

Distribution:

Codiaeum variegatum pictum is distributed in tropical areas of Malaysia,Southern Asia and Pacific islands..

Description:

Codiaeum variegatum pictum can reach up to a height of 12 feet..It is the most popular croton variety..It has beautiful show stopper leaves combining waxy colours of the rainbow with lines as of network or with light colour spot appearances..

Uses:

Codiaeum variegatum pictum is an evergreen shrub,very popular for growing indoors as well as outdoor and are best suited to green houses or sun rooms..Some crotons are large and are used as hedges or specimen plants..They also grow well in containers..These plants are grown as ornamental plants..

Ricinus communis - Castor - Amanakku

Ricinus communis is commonly known as castor and amanakku in tamil...

Classification:

Class:Dicotyledons

Sub-class:Monochlamydeae

Series:Unisexuales

Family:Euphorbiaceae

Distribution:

Ricinus communis is common is the waste fields and gardens and also along road sides and on wasteland..It is cultivated in the tropics...

Description:

Ricinus communis is a tall,glabrous,glaucous and an annual shrub...The stem is aerial,erect,woody below and herbaceous above,hollow,cylindrical,branched,glabrous..Leaves are simple,alternate,palmately lobed with 7 or more serrate lobes,exstipulate,petiolate,venation is reticulate  and multicostate..Inflorescence is a sub-panicled and erect terminal raceme..The male flowers are borne below and female near the apex..

Uses:

The leaves,root and seeds of Ricinus communis are useful parts..Leaves are applied to the abdomen to promote menstruation..They are applied to painful joints with much benefit..Tender leaves cure pain in the bladder..Leaves are applied to the head to relieve headache and as poultice for boils..Root is used as an ingredient of various prescriptions for nervous diseases and sciatica..Dried root is a febrifuge..Seeds are counter irritant and are used in scorpion sting and as fish poison..Castor oil is a reputed remedy for all kinds of rheumatic affections..It cures flatulence,dysentery,piles,cough,lumbago,headache,leprosy,arthritis and calculus..Castor oil is used as a purgative..Castor oil is used in making contraceptive jellies and creams..A gel prepared from castor oil is useful in dermatitis and is a good protective in occupational eczemas and dermatitis..