The Exotic Foliage of Casa Panorámica Page Three

Fern (Pteridophyte)

Family: Polypodiaceae

Though ferns can be found in many households throughout Canada and the US those we have at Casa Panorámica are native to this region. Vividly green with wide-spreading leaves these plants do not produce flowers or bear seeds. Relying mainly on humidity for sustenance, ferns are the perfect Vallatan plant as though the winters tend to be a bit dry, the rainy season or summer months are extremely humid.

Ficus (Ficus benjamina)

Family: Moraceae

Alternate Names: Weeping Fig, Banyan, Benjamin's Fig

You may recognize the Ficus as the neatly trimmed bird-tree at the local zoo, however if left to grow naturally without being maintained by trimming it may grow to high heights with aerial roots and strangling branches. It is often seen as a street tree due to its graceful form and throughout Mexico can be seen as a whale, bird, turtle or any number of other creative topiaries.

Guava (psidium guajava)

Family: Mytaceae

Alternate Name: Guayaba

Small or large depending on the space it's given to grow, this tree bears the well known tasty fruit Guava. Arching over the driveway up to Casa Panorámica, the Guabaya can be smelt in passing during the spring months. Its fragrance is beautiful and so like the fruit you can almost taste it. The wood of this tropical tree is also practical as it is extremely hard and used in carpentry or for fuel.

Hibiscus (H. Rosa-sinensis)

Family: Malvaceae

Alternate Names: Rose of China, Rosella

Though you may think of the flower of this plant as typically seen in the hair of Hawaiian hula dancers, the Hibiscus is also common in other tropical locations around the world, Puerto Vallarta included. The shrub itself is evergreen growing up to 6' with a large variety of coloured blooms. Our Hibiscus has orange-red flowers.

Heule de Noche (Cestrum nocturnum)

Family: Solanaceae

Alternate Names: Night Jessamine, Queen of the Night

This leafy green bush is full of small yellow flowers that open during the night. The blooms themselves are very fragrant in late spring and their wafting scent fills the house from just after sunset until early morning.

Ixora (I. Chenesis)

Family: Rubiaceae

Alternate Names: Jungle Flame, Mexican Geranium

Flowering year-round, this shrub is a great hedge for lining a driveway. Its leaves are a dark green interspersed with an abundance of colourful flower clusters. Though Casa Panorámica has just the red-coral variety there are also pink, orange, yellow and white flowered species of Ixora.

Kalanchoe (K brasiliensys, pinnata)

Family: Crassulaceae

Alternate Names: Mexican Love Plant, Air Plant

This is a succulent plant native to Mexico that was largely used for medicinal purposes in times past by the Indigenous peoples of South America. Though the leaves were the only part of the plant used to treat various ailments, the flowers are what really catch your eye. They bloom in dense clusters at the top of long stalks high above the leaves themselves. The flowering season of the Kalanchoe is long and the colours may range from lavender and greens, to reds, oranges, whites and pinks.

Mandevilla

Family: Apocynaceae

Alternate Name: Mexican Love Vine

Climbing up our railings on the numerous patios is this beautiful vine. Its leaves are a deep green and its flowers bright yellow. There exist vines with other colours of flowers, pinks or whites, however yellow is the most common.

Mango (Mangifera indica)

Family: Anacardiaceae

Alternate Names: Peach of the Tropics, King of Fruits

This tree is most well known for its succulent fruit which grows in abundance in the right climate. Fruit eaten raw or dried is a tasty treat sure to give the feeling of being in the tropics. With an ability to reach 100' the one near the Casa is roughly 35' and laden with fruit.