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Cucurbita ficifolia

2007-09-27T08:13:33Z

222.240.208.14:

nodarrelbocl
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| image=Courge de Siam.jpg
| name = ''Cucurbita ficifolia''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cucurbitales]]
| familia = [[Cucurbitaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Cucurbita]]''
| species = '''''C. ficifolia'''''
| binomial = ''Cucurbita ficifolia''
| binomial_authority = BouchÃ©
}}

'''''Cucurbita ficifolia''''' is an [[annual plant|annual]] [[vine]] or trailing plant grown at high altitudes for its edible [[seed]]s, [[fruit]], and [[greens (vegetable)|greens]].
English names for the plant include '''chilacayote''', '''fig-leaved gourd''', '''malabar gourd''', '''Thai marrow''', '''shark fin melon''' and '''pie melon'''.
It shows considerable biochemical difference from the other members of its genus, and does not hybridize readily with them.

== Origin and distribution ==
It is native to the [[Americas]], although the exact center of [[domestication]] is unclear.
Linguistic evidence suggests [[Mexico]], because of the wide use of [[Nahuatl]]-derived names as far south as [[Argentina]], while archaeological evidence suggests [[Peru]], because the earliest remains have been found there. Biosystematics have been unable to confirm either hypothesis.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} It is called ''zambo'' in [[Ecuador]].

It is now grown in many parts of [[Eurasia]], from [[France]] to [[India]] to [[Japan]].

== Uses ==
The most important use of ''Cucurbita ficifolia'' is for its [[fat]]- and [[protein]]-rich [[seed]]s.
They are used along with [[honey]] to make [[palenqueta]]s, a [[dessert]].

The second most important use is for its [[fruit]]. The immature fruit is cooked as a [[vegetable]], while the mature fruit is sweet, and used to make [[confectionery]] and [[beverage]]s, sometimes [[alcoholic beverage|alcoholic]].
The fruit has a low [[beta-carotene]] content, as can be seen from its white flesh.
It has a moderate content of [[carbohydrate]]s, and a relatively low content of [[vitamin]]s and [[dietary mineral|mineral]]s.

The [[flower]]s, [[leaf|leaves]] and young [[shoot]]s are used as [[greens (vegetable)|greens]].
The vine and fruit are used for [[fodder]].

== External links ==
* [http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0646e/T0646E0a.htm Neglected crops: 1492 from a different perspective (ch 10)]
{{unimelb|Cucurbita.html#ficifolia}}

[[Category:Cucurbitaceae]]
[[Category:fruit]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[Category:Flora of Ecuador]]
[[Category:Flora of Peru]]

Filbert

2007-09-26T22:36:47Z

222.240.208.14:

rolacelac
rolerr
{{Otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Filbert
| image = Hasel_fg01.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Filbert fruit, showing the elongated tubular involucre
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fagales]]
| familia = [[Betulaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Hazel|Corylus]]''
| species = '''''C. maxima'''''
| binomial = ''Corylus maxima''
| binomial_authority = [[Philip Miller|Mill.]]
}}

The '''Filbert''' (''Corylus maxima'') is a species of [[hazel]] native to southeastern [[Europe]] and southwestern [[Asia]]. It is a [[deciduous]] [[shrub]] 6–10 m tall, with [[Plant stem|stems]] up to 20 cm thick. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are rounded, 5–12 cm long by 4–10 cm broad, with a coarsely double-serrated margin. The [[flower]]s are [[Anemophily|wind-pollinated]] [[catkin]]s produced in late [[winter]]; the [[male]] ([[pollen]]) catkins are pale yellow, 5–10 cm long, while the [[female]] catkins are bright red and only 2–3 mm long. The [[fruit]] is a [[nut (fruit)|nut]] produced in clusters of 1–5 together; each nut is 1.5–2.5 cm long, fully enclosed in a 3–5 cm long, tubular [[involucre]] ([[husk]]).

The Filbert is similar to the related [[Common Hazel]] (''C. avellana''), differing in having the nut more fully enclosed by the tubular involucre. This feature is shared by the [[Beaked Hazel]] (''C. cornuta'') of [[North America]], and the [[Asian Beaked Hazel]] (''C. sieboldiana'') of eastern [[Asia]].

==Uses==
The Filbert nut is edible, and is very similar to the Common Hazel nut. Filberts are sometimes grown in [[orchard]]s for the nuts, but much less often than the Common Hazel.

The purple-leaved [[cultivar]] ''Corylus maxima'' 'Purpurea' is a popular [[Ornamental plant|ornamental shrub]] in [[garden]]s,

==Language==
The word 'filbert' is used regionally in [[Oregon]] to refer to [[hazel]]nuts in general. Use in this manner has faded partly due to the efforts of Oregon's hazelnut growers to brand their product to better appeal to global markets and avoid confusion.

[[Category:Fagales]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]

Chilgoza Pine

2007-09-26T20:30:13Z

222.240.208.14:

monviouel
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Chilgoza Pine
| image = Pinus gerardiana Bra67.png
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Pinus gerardiana''
| status = LR/nt
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Pinophyta]]
| classis = [[Pinophyta|Pinopsida]]
| ordo = [[Pinales]]
| familia = [[Pinaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Pine|Pinus]]''
| subgenus = ''[[Pinus classification|Ducampopinus]]''
| species = '''''P. gerardiana'''''
| binomial = ''Pinus gerardiana''
| binomial_authority = [[Nathaniel Wallich|Wall.]] ex [[D. Don]]
}}

The '''Chilgoza Pine''' ''Pinus gerardiana'', also known as 'noosa' and 'neoza', is a [[pine]] native to the northwestern [[Himalaya]] in eastern [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], [[Kashmir]] and northwest [[India]], growing at elevations between 1800-3350 m. It often occurs in association with [[Blue Pine]] (''Pinus wallichiana'') and [[Deodar Cedar]] (''Cedrus deodara'').

The [[tree]]s are 10-20 (-25) m tall with usually deep, wide and open [[Crown (botany)|crowns]] with long, erect branches. However, crowns are narrower and shallower in dense forests. The [[bark]] is very flaky, peeling to reveal light greyish-green patches, similar to the closely related [[Lacebark Pine]] (''Pinus bungeana''). The branchlets are smooth and olive-green. The [[leaf|leaves]] are needle-like, in fascicles of 3, 6-10 cm long, spreading stiffly, glossy green on the outer surface, with blue-green [[stomata]]l lines on the inner face; the sheaths falling in the first year. The [[conifer cone|cones]] are 10-18 cm long, 9-11 cm wide when open, with wrinkled, reflexed apophyses and an umbo curved inward at the base. The [[seed]]s ([[pine nut]]s) are 17-23 mm long and 5-7 mm broad, with a thin shell and a rudimentary wing.

===Uses===
Chilgoza Pine is well known for its edible seeds. The seeds are locally called and marketed as "Chilgoza", "Neje" or "Neja" and are rich in [[carbohydrate]]s and [[protein]]s. It is one of the most important cash crops of tribal people residing in the [[Kinnaur]] district of [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]].

===Other information===
This species is listed as lower risk, near threatened. Overcutting, and intensive grazing causing poor regeneration, may result in the extinction of this pine species. The Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department has tried [[plantation|artificial regeneration]] of Chilgoza Pine at many places. However, performance of seedlings was found to be very poor.

The scientific name commemorates Captain Gerard, a [[United Kingdom|British]] army officer in India. It was introduced to England in 1839, where it grows well in the warmer drier areas of the southeast, but is very rarely planted.

==References==
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=Conifer Specialist Group|year=1998|id=34189|title=Pinus gerardiana|downloaded=11 May 2006}}

==External links==
* [http://www.conifers.org/pi/pin/gerardiana.htm Gymnosperm Database: ''Pinus gerardiana'']
* [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/PNgerardiana.jpg Photo of Chilgoza Pine cone]
* [http://www.forestryimages.org/images/768x512/3943066.jpg Picture of chilgoza pine seed]

[[Category:Pinaceae|Pine, Chilgoza]]

List of indoor air cleaning plants

2007-09-26T15:41:36Z

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getcodronta
Top Plants for Clean Indoor Air

===Spacing===
It is suggested that one plant should be allowed for about 10 square yards (or meters) of floor space, assuming average ceiling heights of 8-9 feet (up to 3 meters). This means that you need two or three plants to contribute to good air quality in the average domestic living room of about 20 to 25 square yards (20-25 square meters).

===Best air cleaners===
Research (including by NASA) has shown that these plants are some of the most effective all-around in counteracting offgassed chemicals and contributing to balanced internal humidity.

* Areca palm
* Reed palm
* Dwarf date palm
* Boston fern
* Janet Craig dracaena
* English ivy
* Australian sword fern
* Peace Lily
* Rubber plant
* Weeping fig
* Bamboo Palm
* Chinese Evergreen
* Gerbera Daisy
* Dracaena Marginata
* Mass cane/Corn Plant (Dracaena Massangeana)
* Mother-in-Law's Tongue
* Pot Mum
* Warneckii (Dracaena "Warneckii")

American Chestnut

2007-09-26T13:57:12Z

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raczels