Top 20 Most Common Plants in Benguela

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Benguela

In Benguela, you can find Castor bean, Indian shot, Round-leafed navel-wort, Cowpea, Solanum lichtensteinii, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Castor bean

The castor bean is important for its oil which is used as a lubricant, biodiesel ingredient, and rodent repellent, among other applications. The plants are now commercially planted globally, with India producing nearly 75% of the world's castor oil. Castor beans cannot be eaten because they contain a potent poison that's released if the seed is broken.

Indian shot

Despite its name, indian shot is a flowering perennial plant native to Central and South America. It has been naturalized in other parts of the world and has become a popular garden plant known for its large decorative leaves, fiery red blooms, and ease of cultivation. It is a traditional minor food for indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Round-leafed navel-wort

3. Round-leafed navel-wort

Round-leafed navel-wort (Cotyledon orbiculata) is a plant species native to South Africa. Round-leafed navel-wort is considered a highly variable species in its outward presentation. This species grows in grasslands, fynbos and karoo regions.

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Cowpea

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an annual grain legume that is an important crop in many regions. The plant has been used as forage for animals and for cow feed. It can be short and bushy or grow as a long vine up to 2 m tall. The edible seeds and seed pods are very small and kidney-shaped.

Solanum lichtensteinii

5. Solanum lichtensteinii

Solanum lichtensteinii is a resilient shrub native to the savannas and rocky terrains of southern Africa. It flourishes under full sun, adapting to dry conditions with its thick, spiny leaves that limit water loss. The purple-tinged flowers and yellow-orange berries of solanum lichtensteinii attract various pollinators and are visually distinctive amongst the sparse vegetation of its habitat.

Baobab

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is indigenous to Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in areas that are dry and hot. It lives longer than virtually all other living things, and there are specimens alive today that are 3,000 years old or more. It has a large, water-filled trunk that is 28 m or more in circumference.

Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is a species of nightshade plant native to Central America which is considered an invasive species in more temperate climates. It can be toxic if ingested in significant quantities. It has a distinctive, strong smell. The jimsonweed gets its common name from Jamestown, Virginia, where soldiers ingested the plants exhibited altered mental states afterward.

Silver inch plant

8. Silver inch plant

The silver inch plant is a popular trailing plant known for its attractive foliage with zebra-like stripes of green, silver, and purple. Tradescantia zebrina is very easy to care for and can be hung or placed indoors. The plant grows fast; the creeping stems bear roots along the way, making it suitable as ground cover.

Avocado

Persea americana, widely known as the avocado plant, is an evergreen tree (semi-deciduous in cooler climates) that is native to Central America. It is cultivated all over the world for its nutritious fruits. Avocado has become an important plant in many cuisines due to its high nutrient and fat content, creamy texture, and distinct taste.

Roselle

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a hibiscus species native to Africa. The fragrant plant has many uses as an infusion in beverages, as a vegetable, and in culinary use in jams and preserves.

Tropical almond

11. Tropical almond

Tropical almond is grown commonly as an ornamental tree. It is prized for its ability to provide shade with its large leaves. These leaves are commonly used in aquariums by fish breeders for their ability to lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water. Although the fruit of the tropical almond is edible, the taste is slightly acidic.

Royal poinciana

12. Royal poinciana

Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) is also known as the “peacock tree” or the “flamboyant tree.” It’s a Madagascar native and is known for its brilliant crimson or red-yellow flowers. It grows exceedingly fast, reaching its maximum height of around 12 m in a short amount of time.

Golden dewdrops

13. Golden dewdrops

Golden dewdrops (Duranta erecta) is an ornamental sprawling shrub commonly found in subtropical and tropical gardens all over the world. Its gentle purple blossoms are often visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. Golden dewdrops is considered a weed in Australia, South Africa and certain parts of East Asia.

Caralluma winkleriana

14. Caralluma winkleriana

Caralluma winkleriana (Ceropegia mammillaris) is a relatively rare succulent shrub species that is grown in cultivation and sometimes traded by succulent collectors. Caralluma winkleriana has been known to grow in the wild in Arizona within the United States.

Desert Horse-purslane

15. Desert Horse-purslane

Desert Horse-purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum) is an annual flowering herb species native to Africa, North America, and South America. Desert Horse-purslane is also known as giant pigweed. This species is the host of the beet leafhopper.

Caribbean copper plant

16. Caribbean copper plant

Euphorbia cotinifolia, also known as the caribbean copper plant, is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 3 to 6 m tall. The sap of this plant is poisonous, so protective equipment such as gloves and long sleeves should be worn when pruning. The Latin name 'cotinifolia' is derived from the Latin word 'cotinus,' which means 'smoketree' and 'folia,' which means 'leaf.' It is also commonly referred to as the Tropical Smokebush.

Gold dust Japanese laurel

17. Gold dust Japanese laurel

Gold dust Japanese laurel, sometimes referred to as the "gold dust laurel" is a distinctive and beautiful ornamental cultivar of the Japanese laurel. It is striking for its scores of golden yellow flecks and blotches on its dark green leaves. In mild and temperate climates, this cultivar is a popular way to add a splash of color to outdoor gardens. Smaller specimens can also be grown inside in containers.

Lion's tail

18. Lion's tail

Lion's tail (Leonotis leonurus) is an evergreen shrub native to the southern regions of Africa. It is cultivated around the world for its distinctive orange flowers and its tolerance for hot, dry weather. Its nectar attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Lion's tail flowers curve at an angle matched by the beaks of African sunbirds who also feast on the plant's nectar.

Solanum campylacanthum

19. Solanum campylacanthum

Solanum campylacanthum is a robust, spiny shrub known for its angular, curved thorns and lush, broad leaves. Its dainty flowers bloom into yellow berries, offering a stark contrast against the greenery. Adapting to survive in arid regions, solanum campylacanthum's thick foliage provides shade, conserving moisture for resilience against dry climates.

Elder

Elder is a malodorous shrub whose berries nevertheless act as an important food source for birds. To humans, except for its flowers and ripen fruits, other parts are poisonous. Ripen fruits can be cooked and made into jams, jellies and chutneys, while flowers could be made into syrups, but it is recommended to be guided by a professional before picking.

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More Plants in Benguela

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Most Common Flowers

Benguela, Angola boasts a rich array of native flowers, thriving in its diverse landscapes. The unique climatic and soil dynamics provide the perfect conditions for these blossoms to flourish. Among the most emblematic local flowers are , , and . These flowers possess an irresistible aesthetic allure and hold cultural and ecological significance within the state. Cited sources guarantee the accuracy and reliability of this information.

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Most Common Trees

The state of Benguela, Angola boasts distinct climatic and soil dynamics that provide an ideal environment for the growth of native trees. Among these are , , and . These trees hold great symbolic, cultural, and ecological significance within the state. They contribute to the local ecosystem, provide shade and shelter to various organisms, and have deep-rooted connections to the traditions and heritage of the people of Benguela. Their presence highlights the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of this land.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Benguela, Angola is an icy embrace that might seem inhospitable to life. However, amidst the cold, there are three distinct flowers that manage to bloom: , , and . These tenacious blossoms defy the odds, showcasing their allure and emblematic significance. Native to the state, they are a testament to the resilience and beauty of nature in Benguela.

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