Earth star plants are stemless terrestrials native to Brazil, and they grow on the floor of the rainforest as rosettes. Their leaves are narrow and waxy, with spiny, crinkly edges, and tend to be a dark brownish red color, with notes of brown, green, or white.
Some small white flowers can be found amongst these leaves. An evergreen perennial, this ground-hugging tropical prefers warm temperatures.
Young earth stars will do best in a terrarium with lots of humidity and indirect sunlight. They should be potted in equal parts shredded osmunda, peat moss or ground bark, and coarse sand. They usually spread about 6 inches wide, but some varieties grow as wide as 14 inches. These will need to be removed and potted elsewhere.
Earth stars make a great houseplant, particularly in dish gardens. They can live up to 10 years with the right amount of care. Their ‘pups’ can also be propagated, meaning your collection can be an ongoing one.
Easter Cactus (Rhipsalideae Gaertneri)
While they are part of the Cactaceae family, the requirements of the Easter cactus are very different compared to the typical desert cactus. The Easter cactus can’t tolerate direct sunlight- rather, they prefer cooler temperatures, and soil rich in nutrients.
Native to the rainforests of Brazil, the Easter cactus is in epiphyte, meaning it doesn’t grow in soil but on trees, rocks, and on other plants. As a houseplant they’re usually grown in soil, but they won’t survive dense, compacted soil. They also require loose potting mixes, in order to provide the needed aeration to their roots.
Eggplant (Solanum Melongena)
The eggplant, also known as the aubergine or the Guinea squash, is grown for its edible fruits. The plant needs a warm climate, and is native to Southeast Asia, where it’s been cultivated since remote antiquity.
While eggplant is most commonly associated with the big purple fruit, its common name actually comes from a small type of eggplant with white fruit that looks like a swan’s egg.
Eggplant is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, and they feature most prominently in classic dishes like the Italian eggplant parmigiana, the Greek moussaka, and the Middle Eastern relish baba ganoush.
The shrubby plant grows to 23 feet high and wide, and has large, lobed, green leaves that have a tinge of purple. Their drooping flowers are violet in color and closest in shape to those of the potato.
The skin of the fruit itself is glossy, and can be purple, blackish purple, pink, orange-red, green, white, or multiple different colors. They tend to be rounded, often oval, and the long and slender variations are often referred to as Japanese or Ichiban eggplants.
Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Commutata)
A screening plant, the elaeagnus grows fast when they’re young, and becomes dense and full with the right upkeep. They mostly tolerate seashore conditions, as well as warm climates. Once established, they can tolerate substantial drought.
Their leaves have silvery dots which reflect the sunlight and provide a distinctive sparkle. They bear fragrant flowers and decorative fruit. Their seeds tend to be spread by birds.
Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra)
The elderberry grows small, white, fragrant flowers in the early summer, followed by small black fruits. The foliage is also pleasing on the eye; they’ve got green and almost black leaves. Elderberries can be used to make both syrups and wine, and are usually found in country hedgerows, gardens, and allotments.
Elm (Ulmus)
Elm is native to primarily northern temperate areas, and they’re usually cultivated for their attractive foliage and their height. The leaves of the elm plant are doubly toothed and tend to be lopsided at their base. The flowers are petalless, and their fruit (called samara), is surrounded by a winglike structure.
Endive (Cichorium Endivia)
Popular in Europe, the endive is a cousin of the escarole, and is known for its distinct taste. Its leaves are deeply cut and curly, compared to escarole’s broad and smooth leaves. A cool season crop, endive grows best in mild temperatures.
Warm temperatures make the greens of the plant form a flower stalk and makes them taste more bitter. The plant’s greens can be used much like lettuce, in cooked soups and stews or in salads.
English Daisy (Bellis Perennis)
This cool season perennial thrives on mild temperatures, and is often treated like it’s an annual because it’s so temperamental in the face of hot summers.
They’re sometimes referred to as lawn daisies because of their ability to grow so well in lawns. A low-growing plant, English daisies make a good companion for other cool-season plants, like ornamental kale or pansies.
Epimedium
A woodland perennial from Asia and Europe, the epimedium’s leaves tend to be shaped like hearts, and there’s a great variety when it comes to both the size and color of the leaves. In the spring their foliage has a wide range of colors, but the leaves are mostly red. In the summer they change to green, or green with red markings.
Escallonia
This is a primarily evergreen shrub that’s known for its colorful flowers that bloom between summer and autumn. They do well in coastal gardens because of their high tolerance for salty air. Upright and spreading, this plant is dense, and its leaves are small, leathery, and glossy.
Their flowers grow in clusters, and tend to be circular or trumpet shaped, with white, crimson, or pink shades. They won’t flower in the shade, nor do they like very dry or very wet soil.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a genus of over 660 species of tall trees and shrubs. Native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands, many species of eucalyptus are cultivated in forestry plantations and as shade trees. They grow fast, and often reach great heights.
Many eucalyptus species shed their outermost layer of bark in ribbons or flakes, while other species have thicker, textured bark. The largest fruit of the eucalyptus genus comes from the mottlecah or silverleaf eucalyptus.
Eugenia
Eugenia is a large genus of tropical trees and shrubs. Many species produce edible fruits which can be made into jams or jellies.
They also often yield high-grade lumber. Some are also used as ornaments in the tropics and subtropics. Most plants of the eugenia genus are evergreen, and their leaves are glossy, while their flowers tend to be in small clusters or solitary, producing berries.
Euonymus
There are many varieties of the euonymus shrub, both deciduous and evergreen. The evergreen plants tend to be grown for their strongly colored foliage. Euonymus plants tend to be resistant to less than ideal conditions, which means they are perfectly suited to being grown in an area of your garden you deem difficult.
They vary in size, and are easy to grow. They thrive in reasonably well-drained soil, and will grow both in partial shade and in sun. They tend to be relatively maintenance free.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis)
The common evening primrose is an annual or biennial winter plant, normally found on roadsides and railway tracks, on sandy or gravelly soil.
Originally thought to be a mainland European species, the evening primrose is likely to have arrived from North America back in the 17th century before being spread to Britain two centuries later. Fragrant evening-primrose, on the other hand, is from Chile. This variation is an annual and biennial plant.
Evergreen Solomon’s Shade (Disporopsis Pernyi)
An uncommon evergreen perennial, this plant has strong, upright, dark green stems, which form slowly around their elegant colonies. Mature plants tend to grow to roughly 16 inches tall, with an arching and graceful quality.
Their leaves are dark green, glossy, and lance-shaped. Between late spring and early summer, the evergreen Solomon’s shade will produce small white bell shaped flowers. These are tipped with light green, appear on the undersides of the plant’s stem, and have a lemon fragrance.
Evergreen Wisteria (Millettia Reticulata)
Sometimes referred to as the summer wisteria, this plant is from southern China and Taiwan. It’s technically not even a wisteria plant, but it is part of the legume family. The evergreen wisteria is a fragrant and attractive perennial vine. They have glossy, leathery, green leaves, and small flowers. They can grow up to 30 feet.
Evolvulus Glomeratus
This plant is native to Brazil and is small and trailing. Its stems can grow to 20 inches long, and its foliage varies from green to gray, while its blossoms are varying shades of blue.
Its stems can grow horizontally when they’re planted in baskets or containers, which they often are. The flowers tend to close during the night, or on overcast days. Tolerant to drought, the plant has no major problems when it comes to pests, diseases, or insects.
Exochorda Plant (Exochorda Macrantha)
This shrub is an arcing plant that has pendant branches, and produces many white flowers and delicate green leaves, particularly in the early summer months. It can be planted in pots or in the garden, so long as it’s receiving sun and well drained, fertile soil.
Plants have always been a big interest of mine, and I’ve always wanted to learn more about the different types of species. I have gained a vast knowledge of the subject over the years, and I have decided to share this information with others.
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