Thread: Common Thai plants & trees

Does anyone know the name of the tree that grows all over Bangkok, on footpaths by busy roads (especially in the Silom area) that has mauve or pink flowers on and is flowering now?

Originally Posted by Lily

Does anyone know the name of the tree that grows all over Bangkok, on footpaths by busy roads (especially in the Silom area) that has mauve or pink flowers on and is flowering now?

Can you post a photo?

Or, describe the shape of the flower and the shape of the leaves?

Originally Posted by buadhai

Originally Posted by hillbilly

You can see many Thais picking the leaves off of this plant for eating.

I think this one is Leucaena leucocephala

I believe the Thai name is: gratin, or something close to that....

Originally Posted by Sir Burr

The plant you call "Common water plant" is a Lotus.

Thai seems to use the same word (bua) for both water lily and lotus. You can use "bua luang" to specify that you mean lotus.

What is this plant that i have growing on my backyard terrrace?

This is what my backyard in Phichit looks like.



You can see orange trees that my dad grew and now, most of them almost die.

Originally Posted by hillbilly

What is this plant that i have growing on my backyard terrrace?

Can you give us a better look? I see roots reaching for the earth. With no other information, I'd have to guess a Banyan. I know that Thais put up an arbour to prevent the roots from establishing themselves. But, I think you know what a Banyan is, and therefore wouldn't be asking for better info.


BAYAN TREE

Originally Posted by Goddess of Whatever

You can see orange trees that my dad grew and now, most of them almost die.

Since I'm in Florida, - the land of Citrus - I need to comment.

I see the irrigation trenches between the tree rows. Citrus trees need a lot of water. I know a couple years ago, there was a drought in that area. Also, I know that more recently there was a flood.

All I'm saying is that those trees need a consistent water supply. That may or may not be practical on that land, and their health will greatly depend upon the weather.

We all hope for a better growing season.

Originally Posted by Curious George

Originally Posted by hillbilly

Some of these flowering cactus can grow quite large.

Additionally, being of the spurge family, a milky-white toxic sap is produced that is very irritating to the skin, especially if pricked by a thorn.

I can vouch for that. we have hundreds of these plants at my place. I was moving a few pots around without gloves. The milky sap was leaking out all over the place and the thorns get pretty sharp. I had rashes for a week.

They do get enormous. We have a few of them that are bigger than a human being.

What about this tree in the orange pot? It is a rather expensive for a beautiful tree in Thailand. This one would sell for about B5,000. I have one planted on my place upcountry but really have no idea what kind of tree it is.

Curious George or Thai wife, do you have any ideas?

Originally Posted by hillbilly

What about this tree in the orange pot?...

Hilly,
We've got a problem. First, I will guess you are referring to the center tree, but the pot looks reddish or 'adobe colored'. The clay pot (Din Pao) looks like terra cotta, and the right-hand pot (Mung Gorn) looks more like a glazed dragon design pot, and a bit yellowish on my screen.

I'm not being difficult, but the photos leave a little to be desired for us to help make an identification. The trees/leaves blend into the background, and we don't know the extents of them. If you could give us a closer photo, and a leaf or branch close-up, we are anxious to help solve the unknown. If we cannot identify it, I'm sure someone else on this Forum can.

Thai Wife and I make up a pretty good team, in that she usually recognizes the plants by sight and knows the Thai name, plus what it's used for. I am fairly adept at searching for all the particulars. Give us another shot and a chance at the identity.

P.S. What I cannot get over is that the local Thais go outside and pick leaves from the trees and yard and eat them, cooked or not. If I attempted the same here, I'd be dead from poisoning.

^ Well, Thai Wife is at work without Internet access, so won't read this for several hours yet. I'll put myself in jeopardy without her advice, and take a stab at the ID. I believe it's a hardwood related to the Magnolia.

Common Name: Idigbo

Latin: Terminalia ivorensis

Density: 560kg/m3

Description: A pale yellow to light brown colored wood. There is little distinction between sapwood and heartwood.

Working Properties: The timber works easily with most hand and machine tools. It has little dulling effect on cutting edges. Glues and stains effectively.

Physical Properties: Idigbo dries well, with little distortion and splitting and shrinkage is small.

Main Uses: For fine carpentry, joinery and construction work.

If you are interested in water lillies/lotus flowers a friend of mine in town grows them. Make shis ownb hybrids and sells some of them to America.

Allegedly he was the maker of the king of Siam lotus which was stolen by an American friend of his and sold in AMerica.

Originally Posted by hillbilly

What is this plant that i have growing on my backyard terrrace?

This one gave me a fit, but I think I've got it. This plant is commonly called the 'Princess vine', and I think that may be what you have. The Latin name is Cissus sicyoides.

See if these look like your vine.

Curious George, you must have a satellite camera, because you hit the nail on the head. Thanks!

Are the flowers scented?

I say no. However, my wife says they have a 'small' smell.

Another plant problem for the Curious George and Thai Wife team. Today i recieved this plant as a gift. My question? Sun or shade?

Euphorbia lactea crestata: Many common names, one being 'Desert rose plant'. This is related to the Euphorbia milli, or 'Crown of Thorns', that we spoke of earlier.

Culture: Euphorbia lactea need full sun to partial shade with warm temperatures. Use a fast-draining soil mix consisting of equal part of loam and sand. The plant should be allowed to dry thoroughly between waterings. In the winter months, water should be restricted to once over the cool period. The most common failure in growing this plant is over-watering, especially when the weather is cool.

Yours probably has been grafted to a standard, stronger stock. This is the simple way to multiply the different color varieties offered. The graft is obvious on the 1st plant with the colored 'frill'.



Yours is called 'Tong Nopagao'. Now you need to get Tong Nopakoon, Mahalap, Tongkam, Tong Supachok, Muang Siam, Pet Laitong, and Tuptim for your 'rainbow' collection.