Top 20 Most Common Plants in Lagos

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Lagos

In Lagos, you can find Water hyacinth, African oil palm, Dieffenbachia, Golden pothos, Water lettuce, 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

Water hyacinth

1. Water hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast-growing flowering plant species with ovular, waxy leaves. Water hyacinth is listed as a federal noxious weed in the United States. This species is invasive to ponds, lakes, rivers and other wetland habitats. It forms dense, floating mats of vegetation that restricts light to underwater environments.

African oil palm

2. African oil palm

African oil palm is a tall palm (up to 20 m tall), widely cultivated for oil production. The oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit and the kernel (seed). It is native to west and southwest Africa, but it's naturalized in many parts of the world.

Dieffenbachia

3. Dieffenbachia

The focal point of a dieffenbachia is the beautiful look and patterns of the foliage, which are often variegated. This plant has showy white blooms, but only flowers in perfect conditions. Use caution, because the dieffenbachia is poisonous; if the sap is ingested it can cause muteness for up to two weeks by numbing the throat and vocal cords.

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Golden pothos

4. Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Water lettuce

5. Water lettuce

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is an aquatic plant that is native to Africa but has shown up in all tropical and subtropical waterways. It is invasive and may present a threat to native vegetation and fish. It is also a mosquito breeding ground. It can be used in home aquariums but should not be introduced into natural bodies of water.

Chinese hibiscus

6. Chinese hibiscus

Chinese hibiscus is a small flowering tree. Its fragrant flowers are well known the world over, leading to many cultivated variants. Chinese hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and is featured on Malaysian coins. Although the Latin name, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, means “the rose of China,” it is not related to true roses.

Kapok tree

Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a rain forest plant that can shoot up to as much as 61 m. It towers over every other plant in its native habitat. The trunk can get as wide as 3 m in diameter. Its nooks and crannies are hosts to a staggering array of both plant and animal species, including birds and frogs.

Snake plant

Snake plant can be considered a houseplant and an architectural display due to its sword-like leaves with bold striping patterns, which are distinctive and eye-catching. However, use caution with this plant because it is poisonous when ingested and can cause nausea, vomiting, and even swelling of the throat and tongue.

Heart of jesus

9. Heart of jesus

The heart of jesus is a poisonous leafy plant. Its paper-thin, heart-shaped leaves lend the plant its common nickname, along with names like "angel wings" and "elephant ear." Though native to South America, its primary hub of cultivation is now around Lake Placid, Florida, where it has become a popular centerpiece for an annual festival.

Sweet basil

10. Sweet basil

Sweet basil is a species of mint plant native to Asia and Africa. It is a popular houseplant, and thrives when it receives plenty of regular sun and water. This plant is also easy to transfer from one soil environment to another. The edible sweet basil leaves can be eaten fresh or dried with pizza, salads, soups, teas, and many other dishes.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Poison tree

12. Poison tree

The poison tree is a large tropical tree whose latex is used as a traditional poison coating for arrows and darts. The inner bark that gives the toxins is also used for making cloth, sandals, sacks, mats, and paper. It also contains tannins which can be used for dyeing. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and bats.

Corn plant

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

Swiss cheese plant

14. Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Teak

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical, deciduous hardwood tree highly valued for its wood and oil. Can grow to 40 m tall. The wood’s natural oil makes it termite-resistant, and the tight grain makes it weather-resistant and popular for outdoor furniture construction.

Garden croton

16. Garden croton

The garden croton is a showy tropical display that does well indoors or in warm climates. Known for its attractive foliage, this plant can have both color and structural variations in its leaves. Leaf colors can include orange, yellow, scarlet, white, and green, and many times all are present on one plant.

Yellow butterfly palm

17. Yellow butterfly palm

Yellow butterfly palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a flowering plant that originated in Madagascar. Other common names for yellow butterfly palm are golden cane palm and yellow palm. In tropical regions it's grown as an outdoor plant for ornamental horticulture. In temperate regions its grown indoors as a houseplant.

Jewels of Opar

18. Jewels of Opar

Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum) is a succulent shrub species native to North and South America, as well as the Caribbean islands. After its introduction, though, it became culturally important in some East Asian regions. The jewels of Opar grows and spreads quickly because any part of its root can sprout into a full plant once it's in the soil.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is an evergreen succulent species native to the Arabian Peninsula. The thick leaves are filled with gooey flesh that stores water for survival in its native desert territories. Aloe vera has become a popular houseplant and is also incorporated into a wide range of cosmetics and skin-care products.

Arrowhead plant

20. Arrowhead plant

Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) is a beautiful foliage plant, one of the most popular species of the Araceae family. Due to its air purifying qualities and good looks, arrowhead plant is often cultivated as a houseplant. Every part of this plant is toxic, so it's best to keep it away from kids and pets.

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Most Common Flowers

Lagos, Nigeria boasts diverse landscapes that facilitate the growth of native flowers. The state's unique climatic and soil dynamics contribute to the proliferation of , , and . These emblematic flowers hold great cultural significance and add to the aesthetic allure of the region. Cited sources ensure the accuracy of information regarding these native blooms.

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Most Common Trees

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Despite the frigid embrace of Winter in Lagos, Nigeria, a few flower plants manage to thrive in the tranquil cold. , , and are native Winter-blooming flowers that bloom against all odds. These flowers exemplify remarkable tenacity, offering a glimpse of allure and symbolizing the resilience of nature in this state. With their presence, Winter in Lagos becomes a season of beauty and hope.

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