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In Bloom

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Telanthophora grandifolia 1Telanthophora grandifolia 3Telanthophora grandifolia 2Telanthophora grandifolia 4 Telanthophora grandifolia 5

Telanthophora grandifolia by Eric in SFTelanthophora grandifolia 6Telanthophora grandifolia by Eric in SFTelanthophora grandifolia 7

Telanthophora grandifolia is located southern edge of the great meadow in the Meso-American Cloud Forest Garden (Bed 14).

Telanthophora grandifolia


Plant Profile
Scientific Name Telanthophora grandifolia
Family Asteraceae
Plant Type Perennial shrub
Environment Semi-shade inland, full sun near the coast. Moderate water.
Bloom Blooms repeatedly throughout the year
Uses Large screening plant with a tropical look. Attracts bees and butterflies.
More Info Big Leaves for Exotic Effects, Stephen Griffith, Sterling 2003

The range of Telanthophora species in Central America

Mesoamerican Plant Diversity and Conservation

Telanthophora grandifolia
"Giant Groundsel"

In Guatemala and north to the neighboring province of Chiapas in Mexico, are tropical forests on 3000-5000 foot mountain tops, where elevation, high humidity, long days of daylight and mild temperatures combine to create a unique ecosystem. There, certain plants in their struggle for sunlight are transformed from small herbs to tree-like specimens, developing huge leaves, large flowers and woody trunks.

Giant Groundsel, in the Mesoamerican Cloud Forest Garden at the southern edge of the great meadow, is an example of the effects of this environment. The dinner plate size golden disc flowers, 15 inch oval–shaped leaves, and 12–foot trunks are a remarkable alteration of a familiar if inconspicuous wildflower. The common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is found in sunny meadows worldwide, and grows 12 inches high at the most, with yellow flower heads and small leaves.

We have created our own cloud forests here in the Botanical Garden. With the help of fog and our mild Bay Area climate, we are able to approximate conditions for plants far away from their native homes.

Available at our next plant sale

IN BLOOM CONTRIBUTORS:

Docents Joanne Taylor and Kathy McNeil

Profile Contributor: Associate Director of Adult Education, Fred Bové

Additional photos provided by SFBG visitor Eric Hunt: © Eric Hunt, www.plantworld.org



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Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku'

Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku'

January

   
Garrya elliptica

Garrya elliptica

January

Magnolia X soulangeana

Magnolia X soulangeana

February

Senecio glastifolius

Senecio glastifolius

March

Ribes spp.

Ribes spp.

April

Oxalis oregana

Oxalis oregana

May

Calandrinia grandiflora

Calandrinia grandiflora

June

Taxus baccata

Taxus baccata

July

Romneya coulteri

Romneya coulteri

August

Passiflora parritae

Passiflora parritae

September

Malvaviscus arboreus

Malvaviscus arboreus

October

Monterey Cypress

Monterey Cypress

November

Aloe arborescens

Aloe arborescens

December

Aloe plicatilis

Aloe plicatilis

January

Banksia seminuda

Banksia seminuda

February

Zantedeschia elliottiana

Zantedeschia aethiopica

March

Magnolia laevifolia

Magnolia laevifolia

April

Araucaria heterophylla

Araucaria heterophylla

May

Toxicodendron diversilobum

Toxicodendron diversilobum

June

Clarkia sp.

Clarkia sp.

July

Agapanthus

Agapanthus

August

Brugmansia

Brugmansia

September

Cedrus spp.

Cedrus spp.

October

Protea repens

Protea repens

November

Camellia sinensis

Camellia sinensis

December

Thujopsis dolabrata

Thujopsis dolabrata

January

Gordonia longicarpa

Gordonia longicarpa

February

Rojasianthe superba

Rojasianthe superba

March

Echium spp.

Echium spp.

April

Iris douglasiana

Iris douglasiana

May

Digitalis purpurea

Digitalis purpurea

June

Felicia amelloides

Felicia amelloides

July

Ceroxylon quindiuense

Ceroxylon quindiuense

August

Amaryllis belladonna

Amaryllis belladonna

September

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba

October

Acer morrisonense

Acer morrisonense

November

Ilex aquifolium

Ilex aquifolium

December

Picea sitchensis

Picea sitchensis

January

Telanthophora grandifolia

Telanthophora grandifolia

February

Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf'

Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf'

March

Leptospermum Spp.

Leptospermum

April

Salvia gesneraeflora

Salvia gesneraeflora

May

Lavandula spp.

Lavandula spp.

June

Pelargonium

Pelargonium

July

Fuchsia paniculata

Fuchsia paniculata

August

Luma apiculata

Luma apiculata

September

Luculia

Luculia

October

Arbutus unedo

Arbutus unedo

November

Cycads

Cycad

December

Restionaceae

Restionaceae

January

Hellebores

Hellebores

February

Ceanothus

Ceanothus

March

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

April

Psoralea pinnata

Psoralea pinnata

May

Fremontodendron californicum

Fremontodendron californicum

June

Leucadendron argenteum

Leucadendron argenteum

July

Crocosmia

Crocosmia

August

Gunnera tinctoria

Gunnera tinctoria

September

Pellaea rotundifolia

Pellaea rotundifolia

October

Fuchsia boliviana

Fuchsia boliviana

November

Erica canaliculata

Erica canaliculata

December

Magnolia campbelli

Magnolia campbelli

January

Magnolia denudata

Magnolia denudata

February

Camellia

Camellia

March

Geranium maderense

Geranium maderense

April

Acmena smithii

Acmena smithii

May

Eschscholzia californica

Eschscholzia californica

June

Dendromecon harfordii

Dendromecon harfordii

July

Romneya coulteri

Romneya coulteri

August

Eupatorium purpureum

Eupatorium purpureum

September

Epilobium canum sp.

Epilobium canum sp.

October

Grevillea spp.

Grevillea spp.

November

Drimys winteri

Drimys winteri

December

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