Blogs from Palermo, Sicily, Italy, Europe - page 2

Carolina Greenhouse (Winter garden) The Greenhouse is home to many tropical and subtropical species, one of which I found very interesting. It is called the 'Sensitive Mimosa'. It reacts in real time to touch, wind or fire stress. The main reason for this phenomenon is to protect themselves against phytophagous plant eating insects. Once the insects arrive on the leaf, the leaf closes in on itself, causing the leaf stem to bend downwards making the insects inevitably fall to the ground. The same happens with wind related stress; in this case, the plant avoids defoliation. After a few minutes, once the wind has ceased, the leaf returns to its original position. THEMES ■Mimosa TERMS ■phytophagus insects - insects which feed on green plants ■defoliation - removal of leaves REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more

The Botanical Gardens are part of the university of Palermo. They were conceived as a teaching aid for botanical and medical studies, as a stimulus for industry and agriculture, and also as a decorative and prestigious institution for the city and its governing body. THEMES ● Botanical Gardens ● Palermo REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more

Along the palm path there were examples of Phoénix dactylífera (the date palm), Chamaerops humilis (the Mediterranean dwarf palm) indigenous to Europe, Howèa Forsteriana an elegant palm originally from Australia known as Kéntia, and Rhapis excelsa, a small palm originally from China known as Bamboo - palm because its growth is similar to that of bamboo. THEMES ■palm ■bamboo... read more

It is a deciduous tree. It is originally from China and Japan, and is considered to be a living fossil. The generic name Ginkgo comes from Chinese, yin meaning 'silver' and 'xing' meaning apricot. Silver apricot refers to the appearance of the seeds. The Ginkgo is well known for its medicinal properties. Recent clinical studies have highlighted the positive effects in the treatment of various artery and neuro degenerative diseases. THEMES ■Gingko TERMS ■deciduous trees - trees which shed leaves in autumn REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more

The blooms of the Nelúmbo Nucifera, the famous Lotus flower are spectacular with scented pink and white flowers measuring at least 20 centimetres. The long leaves are totally water-repellent thanks to a thin waxy outer layer. The Lotus flower is a sacred plant in Hindu and Buddhist culture, where it is a symbol of purity. In the aquarium there was also an interesting species of South African succulent plant, Aloe saponaria, which today is used to treat psoriasis. THEMES ■The Lotus Flower ■Aloe ■Water Lilies REFERENCES APP: ■coopculture.it The Botanical Garden of Palermo ... read more