31
In the Gardens
Purple Orchid Tree,
Camel’s Foot Tree
Bauhinia variegata
Bloom time
From January to April.
Characteristics
On Madeira the tree will not grow more than 4 m (4,5 yd.) tall. It has long, thick twigs and silver leaves that hang on short stalks. They are clearly notched at the tip and give the impression of two leaves having grown into one anoth-er. The single blossoms are 10 cm (4‘‘) broad and colour-ed pink or narrow purple.
Site:
The Purple Orchid Tree is a rare ornamental plant in the gardens and parks of the south. Next to the entrance to the carport of the casino of Funchal you will find a beautiful specimen. Oth-ers are to be seen in the Parque Santa Catarina (198)and in the Botanical Garden (190).
Interesting to know:
The tree is native to regions from India to South China, mostly to the inclinations of the Him-alayas. Today it is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries. Many of the other 300 Bauhinia species are also growing in vari-ous gardens worldwide. They are called orchid trees because of their blossoms. One of each five-crown petals is lip-like enlarged; thus they remind of the orchids belonging to the genus Cattleya. Anyway the orchid trees are not related to the orchids. The botanical name is derived from the researchers Johann and Caspar Bauhin (1541-1613 and 1560-1624).
32
In the Gardens
Yellow Angel’s Trumpet,
White Angel’s Trumpet
Brugmansia candida
Bloom time
All year round.
Characteristics
The up to 4 m (4,4 yd.) tall shrub has numerous, trum-pet-like blooms that are up to 20 cm (8‘‘) long. The five petals grow together and form the trumpet’s “neck”. At the verge of the broad opening they run into pointed ends. Young leaves are covered with hairs and slightly serrated, later they become smooth and entire.
Site:
On Madeira you find Angel’s Trumpets in many gardens and parks. They grow in coastal areas and in the south of the Island even up to an alti-tude of 500 m (550 yd.). Beautiful specimens you will find in the park of the Quinta Vigia (198), Funchal, and in the Palheiro Gardens (191).
Interesting to know:
In former days the plants of the genus Brug-mansia were assigned to the genus Datura (thorn apple). Today only herbal plants with spiny fruits are classified as Daturas. The Angel’s Trumpet is an hybrid of various South American wild species. You may also encounter the Gold-en Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia aurea), a simi-lar plant native to the northern Andes that is as well cultivated on Madeira as a garden plant. All parts of Brugmansia plants contain toxic alka-loids. Golden Angel’s Trumpet is said to be espe-cially poisonous. Indian medicine men prepare an intoxicating drink from its leaves and seeds.
33
In the Gardens
Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica
Bloom time
From January to March.
Characteristics
The Japanese Camellia can reach up to 3 m (10‘) tall and ranges between shrubs and trees. The leaves are egg-shaped, dark green, leathery and glossy. The flowers that remind of roses develop from numerous buds; they only barely scent. There are pink, red and white kinds of blossoms.
Site:
The Japanese Camellia grows at all sites that are the natural habitat of the warmth prefer-ring part of the laurel forest. In correspond-ing regions you will find it in parks and gar-dens. A Camellia avenue is guiding towards the Palheiro Gardens (191). Especially beautiful Camellias are also to be found in the park of Queimadas, in Ribeiro Frio (197) and in the Quinta do Santo da Serra (196).
Interesting to know:
Camellias are native to East Asia and were named in the 18th century by the popular natural scien-tist Linné. He derived their name from the Moravi-an abbot Camellius who dedicated himself to nat-ural historic studies on the Philippines. Only in the early 19th century the first Camellias came from China and Japan to Italy. Cultivation was contin-ued in Milan and Florence. The wild form does have simple pink flowers. Today there are cultivars with double flowers and in various colours.
34
In the Gardens
Common Oleander, Rose Bay
Nerium oleander
Bloom time
From May to August.
Characteristics
The shrub grows up to 3 m (10‘) tall. The twigs grow upright; the leaves are long, narrow and leathery. Its numerous blooms are mostly white or pink and resemble little wheels for its five pet-als that are curved clockwise. You may also find strong red flowering, decorative cultivars that use to be stuffed.
Site:
The Common Oleander grows mainly in the south up to an altitude of about 400 m (440 yd.). It prefers a dry and sunny climate and is culti-vated at roadsides or on traffic islands. More-over you find it decorating parks and gardens.
Interesting to know:
In its natural habitat, the Mediterranean re-gions, the Common Oleander grows frequently at courses of rivers that dry out seasonally. Al-ready in the ancient world Common Oleander was recognized as an ornamental plant. Depic-tions of the shrub are to be found on Cretan murals dating from the 14th century BC and in Pompeii. Cross-breedings with the fragrant Sweet-scented Oleander