FLOWERS AND PETS Compiled by Sachitra Mahendra

accharis is a of perennials and B shrubs in the family Aster- aceae. They are com- monly known as baccha- rises but sometimes referred to as “brooms”, because many members have small thin resembling the true brooms. They are not at all related to these how- The ever, but belong to an entirely different lineage of eudicots. B. halimifolia is commonly known as ‘groundsel bush’, and in flower fact is not too distant from the true groundsels, Senecio. The 250-400 species occur throughout the Ameri- rriicchh iinn nneeccttaarr cas. The genus is named after Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. If present, the leaves are borne along the Baccharis species stems in alternate fashion. are used as food Flowers are usually white or pinkish. plants by the larvae There are no ray flowers, of some but many disk flowers species, such as the swift florella are polyphagous (which are staminate) and Phymatopus califor- species whose larve have pistillate flowers. species, such as nicus and P. Hectoides. been recorded on the Bush Several species are of Those of the -miner Baccharis as well as other interest for cultivation, as the swift moths moths Bucculatrix domina- plants. the dense but flexible stem Phymatopus trix and B. Seperabilis feed Caterpillars of the owlet structure makes for a good exclusively on Bush Bac- Schinia ocularis feed windbreak. Other species, californicus and charis. B. ivella has been exclusively on Broom Bac- particularly Eastern Baccha- P. Hectoides. found on Eastern Baccharis, charis The flowers are rich ris (B. Halimifolia), have and B. variabilis is a in nectar, and several become invasive weeds in polyphagous species which species are good honey places such as Australia and cially from the northern rich in terpenes, and some Chilean Baccaris is visci- has been recorded on vari- plants. Particularly B. dra- Spain, where they are not Andes) are almost extinct are used in native or folk done. Baccharis species are ous Baccharis. The cunculifolia is highly native. On the other hand, a due to habitat destruction. medicine. One that has been used as food plants by the Coleophora case-bearers C. esteemed by beekeepers. few Baccharis species (espe- Plants of this genus are specifically described from larvae of some Lepidoptera linosyridella and C. viscidi- - Internet Gardener

G r e e n F i n g e r s

RAVINDHU MAHENDRA me to believe one man could mainly spreads by the little Upul means water lilies?” We plant such a great number of plants which appear on the lily spent the whole day by the Giraffe pul, one of my water lilies in a reasonably big pads. The plantlets slowly lake. best mates lake. float around for a while until The sun started to fade will venture into areas with from the drama “When my father was going they get a chance to get attach gradually, as sun light fades denser foliage. U school, invited out with my mother this lake to mud. My mother and father the water lilies started closing The species name me to spend bank was their favourite place. used to collect them, tie them themselves like protesting the camelopardalis is derived the day with him. This was He struggled a lot to get my to cobbles and throw them forthcoming moonlight.“Do from its early Roman name, our first meeting since his mother’s hand as her parents back into the water so the you know most of them will where it was described as mother had died. She left didn’t accept him for a lot of plants could sink down quick- open again tomorrow as the he giraffe having characteristics of this world leaving him with reasons. But he never wanted ly to the bottom. That really sun rises. They maintain this (Giraffa camel- both a camel and a leopard. great responsibility to look to give up the love of his life. sped up the spreading process habit roughly for four days opardalis) is The English word after two younger brothers They made a wish that one here. They kept doing this for even though you pluck them T an African camelopard first appeared in and the father. day they would fill this lake almost for twenty years. Now as long as they are in water even-toed the 14th century and sur- Upul seemed to be brave with blue water lilies so they my mother is gone but he still and the scent lasts for a few ungulate mammal, the vived in common usage well enough to grapple but I was can take first bunch of their does it like a ritual singlehand- more days after they have per- tallest of all land-living into the 19th century. more concerned about his manently shut.” species, and the father. According to Upul his Blue water lilies - Nil upul largest ruminant. Males Giraffids evolved from a 3 father was a man who was or nil manel in Sinhala - is the can be metre (10 ft) tall ante- deeply in love with his wife. national flower even though it 4.8 to 5.5 lope-like mammal which It’s still painful to recollect WWaatteerr lliillyy is not endemic to Sri Lanka. metre tall roamed Europe and Asia the way he behaved on the This regal looking flower is and 30-50 million years ago. funeral. rather purple than blue and weigh up The earliest giraffid was Upul took me down to a can be grown as a garden to 1,700 the Climacoceras, which magnificent lake. There were plant even in a smallest pond kilograms still resembled deer, hav- lots of blue water lilies. Mild in a sunny spot with about six (3,800 ing large antler-like ossi- morning sun rays were kissing inch nutrients rich mud and pounds). cones. It first appeared in their deep purple petals and one foot water. In larger The record-sized the early Miocene peri- the sun patterned sigma. The ponds, depth until four foot bull, shot in Kenya in od. As the lineage went gentle breeze scattered the they grow much better and 1934, was 5.87 m on the genuses Palaeo- heavenly perfume while they mainly propagate by division (19.2 ft) tall and tragus and Samotherium were floating just above from rhizomes or the saplings weighed approxi- appeared in the early to peaceful waters. That little appear on the centre of the lily mately 2,000 kg. mid-Miocene. One moment seemed like the heav- pads. Females are gen- species of Palaeotra- giraffe-like ossicones. They rivers block their mutual en and earth blending together If you still haven’t seen this erally shorter, and gus developed both were tall at the shoul- access. In fact, the study into one magnificent painting. magnificent flower and there weigh less than more der but still had short necks. found that the two giraffe Upul was looking at the is no lake or pond around the males do. From there the genus Giraf- populations that live closest flowers and it almost looked where you live, the best place The giraffe is related fa evolved in the Pliocene to each other- the reticulated like he was meditating. A few to see them is a popular tem- to deer and cattle, but is period and Okapia evolved giraffe (G. camelopardalis minutes later he broke the Nil Upul photographed by the writer in Anuradhapura. ple. Unfortunately you can placed in a separate fami- in the Pleistocene. The reticulata) of north Kenya, silence. “Can you describe only see them there as cut ly, the Giraffidae, con- modern long-necked and the Masai giraffe (G. c. scent of a flower?” own flowers to the temple, if ed. I think that’s how he copes flowers but you can still smell sisting only of the giraffe giraffe, Giraffa tippelskirchi) in south I was speechless and I still they ever get a chance to get with the greatest loss in his the heavenly scent which no and its closest relative, camelopardalis, Kenya- separated genetical- can’t find the answer as I’m married. life.” one can describe properly. the okapi. Its range appeared one million ly between 0.13 and 1.62 unable to explain the scent of a Making a long story short “Did they manage to take Make sure you obtain per- extends from Chad to years ago. million years, judging from blue water lily via this article they’ve finally got married the flowers to the temple?” mission from the Buddha if South Africa. Though giraffes of genetic drift in nuclear and to you if you haven’t sensed it with an uphill struggle and “That’s even more interest- someone has offered them to Giraffes can inhabit these populations inter- mitochondrial DNA. yet. gone away for honeymoon, I ing, no .... they didn’t, they him already. Hopefully the savannas, grasslands, or breed freely under con- The implications for con- “My father is an amazing suppose somewhere nice.” both felt very sorry to pluck Buddha wouldn’t mind as he open woodlands. They ditions of captivity, sug- servation of as many as man. He is the simplest man With a little smile Upul took a them, at the end that’s how might never have suggested prefer areas enriched gesting that they are sub- eleven such cryptic species you could ever see but he does deep breath. my name became Upul. anyone to offer him flowers. with acacia growth. specific populations, and sub-species were sum- amazing things.” “They brought this kind of They asked the Buddha for They drink large quan- genetic testing published marised by David Brown for “Such as?” water lily plant back from forgiveness, they offered the “Can you describe scent of tities of water and, as a in 2007 has been inter- BBC News: “Lumping all “Can you believe he is the their honeymoon and planted flowers while they were smil- a flower?” echoes in my result, they can spend preted to show that there giraffes into one species one who introduced these it here, since then they never ing in the lake and made a mind. Can you really...... ? long periods of time may be at least six obscures the reality that water lilies here....!” abandoned their project. You promise to call their first child in dry, arid areas. species of giraffe that are some kinds of giraffe are on It was almost incredible for know this particular kind a water lily. Did you know [email protected] When searching reproductively isolated the brink. for more food they and not interbreeding, Some of these populations even though no natural number only a few hundred obstacles, like mountain individuals and need imme- Only for dog lovers! ranges or impassable diate protection.” f you are a dog lover and more Pomeranian physi- can provide a cally with deep bark I loving home (Female) and Lassie is two to these very years. loyal adorable doggies All these dogs are fully please contact Demi or vaccinated. Piumie on 0773262777 / Their owner is migrating 0719104541. and is looking for some- Three-year old Floppy is body who will lovingly brown and white (Male), take care of them. Spongy turned one in Owners request to be November, who looks kept posted of doggies

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