Thingamabobs and Whatchamacallits

  Today I acquired a new plant – one that I had to I.D. using an online App.   The App wasn’t sure, but the guess it offered turned out to be correct when I checked the plant by the name it suggested!   It is apparently fairly easy to root, and I’ll keep it in a pot over the winter to ensure it grows a big root system so I can put it in the ground in the spring.   Muehlenbeckia platyclada The plant Muehlenbeckia platyclada belonging to Polygonaceae family (a Knotweed) has great importance in traditional medicine. It is a popular remedy in various ethnic groups. Native to New Guinea and the Soloman Islands, it is now also naturalized in Puerto Rico, India, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Pakistan.   Extensive studies of the plant show the presence of flavanoid glycosides. Muehlenbeckia platyclada has been found to possess antinociceptive and analgesic properties. . Further studies are being conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of the plant. ...

  John Tradescant the Elder, c.1570-1638, was a famous English Horticulturist, Botanist and Gardener who traveled the world in search of rare and unknown plants, trees and fruits.   Throughout his lifetime he designed many gardens of royalty, dukes and earls and he is now widely regarded as the “Father of Modern English Gardens”.   His son, John Tradescant the Younger, 1608-1662, followed in his father’s footsteps and many varieties were subsequently named for them.   The most well-known must be the Tradescantia species, of which there are 85, (in the family Commelinaceae) and are known by many common names, such as Purple Heart, Moses in the Boat, Spiderwort, Wandering Jew, etc. They originated in the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, but are now considered to be native to the USA (after a long period of immigrant status!!!!)   They like bright, indirect light, moderate watering, 65F-75F, do well inside as houseplants or outside under trees with shade from...