Re: Monkey hand tree?
- Subject: Re: Monkey hand tree?
- From: T* &* M* R*
- Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 17:18:24 +1200
Joe Seals wrote:
>
> Yes. Chiranthodendron pentadactylon. Bombacaceae.
> Also called "Mexican hand plant".
However it is not actually a Mexican native, but apparently comes from
Gutamala.
Though it won't take much frost, it is hardy enough to grow in Central
Wellington, where there are three quite young specimens in the City's
botanic gardens. Otherwise I have the impression it is pretty rare in
this country. When we first saw one it was quite unknown to us and it
took us some time to track down the name.
They are said to be fast-growing when young and I can well believe this,
as these three all seem to be unusually tall for such relatively.
slender growths.
Botanica says they are naturally evergreen in the tropics, but may lose
their leaves in winter in cooler-than-ideal climates. Flowering may
occur any time between spring and fall.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand, SW Pacific. 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time
