Subtropical
Species suited to warm climates with only light, occasional frosts—roughly USDA Zones 9–10. They withstand brief cold but not prolonged freezing, thriving where summers are hot and winters mild.
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Dracaena draco: The Mystery of Dragon’s Blood
Despite its mythical name, “dragon’s blood” is a vivid red resin harvested from certain trees, most notably Dracaena draco and D. cinnabari. This story unpacks the centuries-old mystery of its origins and how human demand has threatened these iconic trees in the modern era.
succulent, ornamental, subtropical -
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Jasmine: The Sensual and the Sacred
Jasmine, native to Central and South Asia, has spread worldwide through trade, empire, and cultivation. Its fragrance and beauty have made it central to religion, art, politics, and daily life—from Hindu and Buddhist rituals to Islamic gardens, from Chinese jasmine tea to French perfumery. Across cultures it symbolizes purity, sensuality, devotion, and transience, while also serving as adornment, medicine, and a political emblem, as in Tunisia’s “Jasmine Revolution.”
flower, medicinal, ornamental, shrub, subtropical, tropical -
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The Gulmohar: Becoming Native
This article explores the history and cultural significance of the Gulmohar tree (Delonix regia), tracing its journey from Madagascar to India through colonial botanical networks in the nineteenth century.
flower, ornamental, subtropical, tree, tropical
