The Exotic Foliage of Casa Panorámica Page Two

Caladium

Family: Araceae

Alternate Name: Geraniums of the South

These mainly leafy plants are known for their arrow-shaped leaves with varieties of colourful patterns. They are great indoor plants as they require a lot of shade and thus we have them in planters and pots in the rooms and hallways of Casa Panorámica.

Canna Lily (Canna generalis)

Family: Liliaceae

Alternate Name: Indian Shot

Canna Lily's are of medium height and of a variety of colours, though mainly yellows and reds. They add a tropical look to any garden with their large dark leaves and striking flowers. Some of the flowers have mottled or speckled designs and their leaves can be deep green, bronze, reddish or even stripped. The vibrant beauty of the blooms definitely make Canna Lilys favoured plants in our gardens.

Coconut Palm (Cocus nucifera)

Family: Palmae

A widely versatile tree, the Coconut Palm is gracefully ornamental as well as practical. Down on the front lawn stand a couple full grown palms and if we were so industrious we could collect the coconuts to eat or abstract the oil to use in cooking, in margarine or even in ice-cream. And if we were more industrious yet we could extract the roots to make a dye.

Cordyline (Cordyline terminalis)

Family: Dracaenaceae

Alternate Names: Ti plant, Good Luck Tree

Native to tropical America and the Pacific, these lovely plants are cultivated for their leaves and can be seen in the gardens lining our main entrance staircase. The leaves can vary in colour and design, for example, leaves bearing green and white stripes. However, seen most commonly are those of the rose-pink variety. When flowering, they have small light pink blooms that appear at the top of the leaf clusters.

Citrus Mexican Lime Tree (Citrus aurantiifilia)

Alternate Names: Mexican Lime, Key Lime, Bartender's Lime

Another fruit tree Casa Panorámica is pleased to grow is the Lime. This tree produces an abundance of fruit, preceded by fragrant white flowers, which we gladly put to use in cooking or cocktails. In Vallarta you're also likely to find your beers topped with a lime at any local bar, should you feel inclined to visit one. The people here even put lime juice on their popcorn. However the tree itself is covered with razor sharp spines so avoid climbing them if possible.

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Whether grown in pots or as hedges or shrubs, this plant is specifically planted for its spectacularly colourful and shapely leaves. Vibrant greens, pinks, oranges and yellows are some of the colours you can expect from the Croton.

Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

Family: Apocynaceae

Alternate Names: Impala Lily, Desert Azalea, Sabie Star

This evergreen plant can grow up to 6' feet in the wilderness but most often is found around 2 feet in common gardens or planters. Ranging from pink to scarlet, the blooms of 2" in diameter are quite striking. The bold colours fading to stripes of white and yellow at the centre are enjoyed through a long flowering season from spring into summer. This particular plant brightens up our pool deck.

Dracaena (D. Fragrans)

Family: Ruscaceae

Alternate Name: Cornstalk Dracaena, Money Tree, Rainbow Tree

On Casa Panorámicas' grounds these trees are still in their adolescent stage standing at about 4' tall. The Dracaena genus is composed of about 40 different species of succulent shrubs and trees. We have only a few different types of this widely varying tree. On our versions of Dracaena, seasonal flowers bloom in panicles above the leaves which are usually white, cream or pale green coloured, and are quite fragrant.

Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)

Family: Araceae

Alternate Name: Taro

This plant gets its name from its leaves, which resemble elephant ears. Grown in giant clumps of immense leaves, the Elephant Ear brings the drama of the tropics to our gardens. Nearly an evergreen perennial in tropical climates, this herbaceous plant with thick tuber has been cultivated for food for many centuries. Cooking the leaves destroys the acrid crystals of calcium oxalate found in all parts of the plant.