March Plant Parade Challenge

[tuscanny Moderator oil pastels]

Time waits for no man:angel:

Christel

[Margaretta]

I know what I am going to choose but haven’t started yet! Busy people here I think!:wave:

Through striving, to the stars.:confused:

[KreativeK Moderator]

No idea here yet.

Kay

Moderator: Watermedia, Mixed Media, Abstract/Contemporary

[LynneDe]

Me either, KreativeK. Looking at lots of photos, nothing strikes me as ‘it’ for this month yet.

Blessings, LynneDe

As I will never take this exact path again may I not leave a kind word unspoken or a kind deed undone. May my life count for good, may the world be better for my having been in it when the final reckoning is accomplished. Blessings, LynneDe

[Shanec]

No pressure on the rest of us then?!!!!

None whatsoever, I’ve done three now by the way.

Shane

https://artbyshanec.com

[LynneDe]

In my current fascination with green things (new life, Spring coming) would succulents work here for a ‘spiky’ thing? There are many points sticking up in the type I am considering…would it be acceptable?

Oh, and I have been working on a new style of fern, each ‘branch’ having many tiny spikes to it…so I will show that one later on as well as anything else I may be able to do.

Blessings, LynneDe

As I will never take this exact path again may I not leave a kind word unspoken or a kind deed undone. May my life count for good, may the world be better for my having been in it when the final reckoning is accomplished. Blessings, LynneDe

[Margaretta]

‘Spikey plants’ have many interpretations. I left out cacti as many of you have much better species than those in my holiday photos of the prickly pear but of course they are acceptable. I wanted to add variety to that adjective. Petals, stems and leaves can all be spiky, spear-like, thorny or just pointed. Haha! I suppose it’s any plant feature not smooth and rounded.
Still tickled by the cordyline being ‘cabbage plant.’ Those red spikey leaves look far from appetising. :clear: Does anyone cook them??:eek: :confused: Would you boil them and are they safe to consume?

Through striving, to the stars.:confused:

[Vivien Maloney]

Margaretta –I’ve no idea how the Corydline became to be called a “Cabbage Tree”. But there must be a story behind the name.
We’ve always called it that in Southland NZ and I assume they also give it by that name in the rest of NZ too. My husband was pleased when our one died in the “big freeze” a few years ago. He said “Yippee, no more picking up Cabbage Tree leaves”!
I wasn’t happy at all, as it was a real statement in our garden, but they do shed their leaves which are strong and tough like flax leaves. And when the leaves die, and they shed them, the leaves are even stronger and never seem to rot down in a compost heap – just like NZ flax – which never seems to rot either.

I must see if I can find the origin of the name “Cabbage tree”

Animal & Wildlife, Floral & Botanical, Watermedia

[Margaretta]

Thank you Vivien. I would be very interested to know the origin of the name.
I love the deep red of the leaves; as you say, it gives colour variety and makes a statement in the garden. The leaves feel as though they could be woven when dried or pulped to make a strong surface.

Through striving, to the stars.:confused:

[tuscanny Moderator oil pastels]

Shane – great going! I’ve managed 2 so far.

Christel

[Vivien Maloney]

I Googled the Cordyline Tree for the source of the name “Cabbage Tree”. I’ve never known the source of the name but have always known it as the “Cabbage Tree”. Apparently it was used as a food source, as the thick leaves could be boiled and eaten like Cabbage. (It would be a bit tough!) Here’s an excerpt about it;

The Cordyline OR Cabbage Tree;

Known to Māori as tī kōuka,[5] the tree was used as a source of food, particularly in the South Island, where it was cultivated in areas where other crops would not grow. It provided durable fibre for textiles, anchor ropes, fishing lines, baskets, waterproof rain capes and cloaks, and sandals. Hardy and fast growing, it is widely planted in New Zealand gardens, parks and streets, and numerous cultivars are available. The tree can also be found in large numbers in island restoration projects such as Tiritiri Matangi Island,[6] where it was among the first seedling trees to be planted.[7]

Animal & Wildlife, Floral & Botanical, Watermedia

[Charlies Mum Administrator (Maureen)]

Lol, no wonder I can’t kill mine – it’s too tough ……. but at least, if we ever run out of food, I’ll have something to eat!:lol:

Cheers, Maureen

Forum projects: Plant Parade projects in the Florals/Botanicals forum , WDE in the All Media Art Events , Different Strokes in Acrylics forum .

[Shanec]

It’s the 25th where I live and lucky I get up very early and saved the pictured to my phone.

Thanks for hosting Margaretta, painting cacti is a lot of fun.

Thanks for looking.

Shane

https://artbyshanec.com

[Rundun]

Shane such beautiful work .They are so spectacular with bright colors.Imelda

[Vivien Maloney]

Shane – 3 beautiful paintings! They look very sharp and prickly! The spikes on the first one look lethal! Well done, great work on them all!

Unfortunately, although I began with a rush at the beginning of the month – I still haven’t finished mine. It’s been one of those months, and I was so sure I’d get it done early. So I’ll post mine in the next day or two when I’ve finished it.

Animal & Wildlife, Floral & Botanical, Watermedia

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