botanic notables

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Botanic Notables: The Latest Hybrid "Papple"

A new fruit hit markets in the U.K. this week. Round, red, sweet, and juicy, the hybrid fruit is described as a pear disguised as an apple. Until it receives an official name, the new fruit has been going by T109—or, to its friends, the "papple."

Botanic Notables: The Official City Plant of Los Angeles

By Anna Laurent

The recently adopted official city plant of Los Angeles is the toyon, a red-berried shrub known as California holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia), the one that put the "holly" in Hollywood.

Botanic Notables: Presidential Trees

By Anna Laurent

Three presidents, three trees, three histories: Andew Jackson's southern magnolia, Abraham Lincoln's honey locust, and George Washington's tulip poplar.

Botanic Notables: Return of the American Chestnut

By Anna Laurent

The American chestnut tree has dominated Eastern forests for centuries, but it almost disappeared when a foreign blight was introduced in 1904. Scientists have been trying to breed blight-resistant trees and recently planted several at the New York Botanical Garden, just steps from the blight's origins over one hundred years ago.

Botanic Notables: Plants of The Hunger Games

By Anna Laurent

Leaves, berries, blossoms, and bark: A guide to the plants of The Hunger Games.

Botanic Notables: Albino Redwoods

By Anna Laurent

No one knows exactly how many albino redwoods there are in the world, but their snow-white needles are unmistakable. These "ghosts of the forest" lack chlorophyll, and receive nutrients from a parent redwood tree.

Botanic Notables: An Endemic Wildflower in Oregon

By Anna Laurent

A rare, endemic daisy-like wildflower was named after a local botanist in Oregon—now, a forest road could threaten one of its two habitats. Look for Veva's Erigeron on your next hike!

Botanic Notables: The Roselily Collection

By Anna Laurent

Looking for a new blossom for your Easter vases? How about a lily with three times as many petals as traditional Liliums? Designed primarily for the cut flower market, Roselilies have some very unique attributes: an absence of pollen, a lighter fragrance, and a very long vase life. Check your local florist for two varieties ('Belonica' and 'Fabiola'); the others will be available later in 2012 and 2013.

Botanic Notables: Purple-Leaf Plum Tree

By Anna Laurent

The purple-leaf plum tree is blossoming, which means it's spring! It is a beautiful ornamental tree that bears edible fruits—perfect for summer foraging and winter preserves.

Botanic Notables: The Shamrock

By Anna Laurent

Here's to a holiday filled with the luck of the Irish and the spirit of St Patrick; just remember, their leafy symbols don't look the same. We look at the stories behind the legend of St. Patrick's emblem, and the difference between a shamrock and a four-leaf clover.