Top 20 Most Common Plants in Lusaka

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Lusaka

In Lusaka, you can find Common lantana, Royal poinciana, Garden croton, Yellow oleander, White teak, 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

Common lantana

1. Common lantana

The common lantana is a flowering plant that grows best in tropical environments. It spread outside the Americas when the Dutch brought it to Europe. The plant is generally regarded as an unwanted weed that reduces biodiversity. Additionally, it is toxic to livestock and harms the output of farmland.

Royal poinciana

2. 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.

Garden croton

3. 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.

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Yellow oleander

4. Yellow oleander

Yellow oleander is extremely toxic and many cases of accidental poisonings have been recorded. The toxic oils found in this plant are sometimes used in pest control measures. However, the Cascabela thevetia does have significance in some religious ceremonies, specifically the worshiping of Shiva, a Hindu deity.

White teak

White teak (Gmelina arborea) is used commercially as a timber wood and also for wood pulp in the manufacture of particleboard and other wood composite materials. The leaves and fruits of the tree are used for fodder and as a foodstock for silkworms. This is a fast-growing deciduous tree that renews quickly.

Golden dewdrops

6. 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.

Chinese hibiscus

7. 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.

Mango tree

Mango tree is a large tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It is most well-known for the tropical fruit it produces, and mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Mango tree can also be used for wood after the tree’s fruit production is over. This type of wood is highly prized for making musical instruments.

Blue jacaranda

9. Blue jacaranda

Blue jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is a plant species native to southern South America. Blue jacaranda grows in many cities around the world. Pretoria, South Africa is known as the Jacaranda City. The blue jacaranda is often referenced in songs and literature.

Snake plant

10. 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.

Castor bean

11. 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.

Graptopetalum mendoza

12. Graptopetalum mendoza

Graptopetalum mendoza is a small fleshy plant that spreads in clumps. Its pale green and tiny leaves grow in groups that eventually form into a circular pattern called a ‘rosette’. Its star-shaped flowers are attractive and white. It makes an excellent plant to grow in a rock garden.

Cardboard palm

13. Cardboard palm

Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea) is a tropical shrub that is not a true palm, but a cycad. Cardboard palm is an ancient plant that lived during the age of the dinosaur. It is often planted as a houseplant and needs moderate to bright light. The entire plant is poisonous, but the seeds are deadly and should be kept away from pets.

Bush clockvine

14. Bush clockvine

This tropical, evergreen shrub grows erect and blooms with bold dark blue or purple flowers through both summer and autumn, making it a lovely choice for hedges, borders, and walls. Though bush clockvine most commonly grows as a bush, it can be 'trained' to grow like a vine (as implied by the name).

Wandering Jew

15. Wandering Jew

Wandering Jew has been introduced to North America where it is considered a noxious weed. It can be highly invasive - spreading across crops and pastures, outcompeting more desirable plants.

Pink wild pear

16. Pink wild pear

Dombeya burgessiae is a noteworthy garden shrub or small tree native to Southern Africa. This handsome shrub produces showy, white to pale pink wild pear flowers. Its appeal comes from its foliage as well, with its grape-like, velvety leaves. The flowers remain on the tree even after the flowering season has passed, and they make excellent cut flowers.

Guava

Guava (*Psidium guajava*) is a fruit-producing evergreen shrub that grows natively in the Caribbean region and South America. Guava attracts the honey bee and other insects, and guava fruit is edible. Additionally, guava wood is used for smoking meat.

Peace lily

The peace lily gets its scientific name Spathiphyllum wallisii from a combination of the two Greek words ‘spath’ and ‘phyl’, which means spoon and leaves, respectively. The large graceful white spathe of the peace lily resembles a white flag, which is an international symbol of truce or peace.

Common bean

19. Common bean

Common bean is one of the most widely produced cash crops in the world, with 23.6 million tons grown in 2016. China is the largest producer of common bean, accounting for 79% of the market share. While common bean is known as a staple food source, the leaves can be used to trap bedbugs and the beans are widely used in a type of fortune-telling called "pharmancy".

Wax mallow

Commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, the wax mallow is native to Central America. It’s cultivated in sunny or shady areas to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The showy and bright red flowers remain close and resemble a Turkish Turban, hence its other name, Turk’s Cap. The individual blooms generally last for about two days but contain enough nectar to attract birds.

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More Plants in Lusaka

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Most Common Flowers

Lusaka, Zambia boasts a diverse range of native flowers, flourishing in its unique climatic and soil conditions. While there are numerous remarkable blossoms, three standouts include , , and . These flowers hold a special place in the aesthetic appeal, cultural significance, and ecological balance of the state. Cited sources ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information.

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Most Common Trees

Lusaka, Zambia boasts a unique climate and soil composition that supports the growth of various native trees. Among them, , , and stand out. These trees hold significant cultural, symbolic, and ecological importance within the state. Their presence serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity of Lusaka and the vital role trees play in sustaining the local ecosystem.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Despite the icy climate in Winter, Lusaka, Zambia is a nurturing environment for certain flowers to bloom. , , and are three native flowers that showcase their tenacity and allure during this season. These flowers add a touch of beauty and significance to the state as they withstand the frigid embrace of Winter. Lusaka, Zambia provides a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the resilience of these Winter-blooming plants.

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