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The plant was named in honor of Edward Llwyd, also spelled Lhuyd, a Welsh botanist. The accepted name for Lloydia serotina was changed to Gagea serotina. Here is a bit of information about Edward Llwyd.
http://www.ukwildflowers.com/W...

Semecarpus kathalekanensis, Kathalekan Marsh Nut, aka Kannada, is a newly discovered/described tree found only in the Swampy Relic Forests of Kathalekan area, Western Ghats region of India. The tree was described in 2000; there are only 50 breeding individuals documented at this time.

To learn more:
http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in...
http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in...

This is a type of wild potato that grows mostly in Chile. The edible parts are the tubers, which are very small.

There are many types of Afzelia. The Afzelia xylocarpa grows in Southeast Asia in moist tropical areas: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of southern China.

The lumber from this tree is used to make furniture, boats, and in house construction, flooring and paneling. In the wild, large specimens have been over harvested and are becoming rare. Wood/lumber from the Afzelia xylocarpa is also known as Rosewood, Siamese Rosewood, Blackwood, and Afzelia Xylay, and sometimes is called Teak. Other names for this lumber used by woodworkers are Doussie, Makamong, nd Afzelia Lay.

As the trees grow, burls develop. These deformities in the tree are known to woodworkers as Xylay Burl, Xylay Lace, Afzelia Lace, etc. Some of the finest burl wood is harvested in the wild in Cambodia and Laos. These burls are highly valued by woodworkers to make musical instruments, pens, knife handles, and gun grips, and as carved art pieces.

Before using as a food source or for medicinal purposes, please be sure you have correctly identified the tree, as some types of Afzelia have poisonous seed. Afzelia xylocarpa cotyledons are eaten as food. The sprouted seed is dried, shredded, and boiled to make a medicinal soup. The seeds have anti-inflammatory medicinal properties. The bark contains tannin, is astringent, and is used medicinally. The bark also produces "catechol," which is used in the tanning of leather goods. The pulp of the seed is used to make adhesives and cigarettes.

Afzelia xylocarpa have a dormancy period and can take one year to germinate. This time can be reduced by nicking the tough seed coat and pre-soaking the seed 24 hours prior to planting. Germination time can be as little as 20 days. Reforestation programs in Northern Thailand are growing Afzelia xylocarpa and other trees which are considered to be "framework species." The A. xylocarpa can be planted out at about 14 months, and as it grows it will develop a broad, dense crown, which will suppress weeds. The trees provide bird perches and nesting sites. The A. xylocarpa fixes nitrogen and can improve the soil in the surrounding area where fertility may be low, thus aiding in the re-growth of new forest plants.

The hard shelled pseudocarps of Coix lacryma-jobi var. stenocarpa (as well as var. monilifer) are used to make beads in necklaces, rosaries, etc.

Limonia acidissima. This tree first came to my attention while I was looking at photos from Vietnam. Many vendors at the street market had something on their face, which looked to me like a partial face mask.

The "mask" is a paste made of powdered Tanaka bark, sometimes spelled Thanaka, Thanakka, Thanakha, and helps to protect the skin from sunburn. Please do not confuse this Tanaka with the orange-fleshed cultivar of Loquat; that was named in honor of Dr Yoshio Tanaka.

The Tanaka mask is mostly used by women and girls, but is also used by men and boys who spend time exposed to the damaging rays of the sun. Often people will place a circular patch of the mask on their cheeks, but it is also sometimes applied more creatively, in the shape of a leaf or stripes. Think of it as face painting with a purpose.

In the US we have recently learned about the benefits of the Tanaka to help acne prone skin; it has antifungal properties, and it helps to clear the acne and to heal the scars. Use of Tanaka can also help to whiten the skin. Tanaka bark extract is used in some cosmetics.

Thank you to PlantSister, who helps me to learn more about plants like this one.

Lansium domesticum 'Casto' is a cultivar from Puerto Rico. It has large fruit and low latex. The tree has a high fruit yield compared to some other cultivars.

Grower William F Whitman of Florida posted Lansium domesticum information in 1984:
http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next...

Fernaldia pandurata is called "loroco." It is a tropical vine that grows in Central America. The unopened flower buds are cooked and eaten. The flower buds can also be pickled.
The plant looks similar to Mandevilla.

Averrhoa bilimbi is closely related to Averrhoa carambola aka Starfruit; cultivation is similar, although the A. bilimbi needs a bit more protection from cold and wind.

In most places in the US the plants should be brought inside for the colder months.

Grows best from seed.

Suitable for Bonsai.

There are several medicinal uses for this plant. Seek out a qualified herbalist before using as there are high concentrations of oxalic acid in parts of this tree and in the fruits. The oxalic acid allows the fruit to be employed as a stain and rust remover and can remove tarnish from brass.

The tree begins flowering (in Florida) in late February, blooming until about December so fruit can be available for harvest for more than half the year. Use caution when harvesting fruit as the skin is very thin. The taste of the fruit is similar to Phyllanthus acidus aka Star gooseberry, although they are not related.

This plant is ridiculously easy to propagate from cuttings. I purchased one plant for $3 and started taking cuttings, rooting them in a Forsyth Pot, and after only one season my total number of plants was 99. All from one $3 plant. (This was only an experiment; the plants were given away.)

The leaf color varies not only by the amount of sun the plant receives, but also by the PH variation in the soil. More lime in the soil produced much larger and much greener leaves.

Cut back the main stem to about four feet.
This will encourage side branching and will keep the plant at a more manageable height.
The pods will be easier to pick, and the plant will be easier to move indoors (if desired) when cold weather arrives.

Native to Peru, Plukenetia volubilis is being studied and grown in tropical China.
The seed pod can contain from 4 to 7 seeds.

Also called Doveweed; an important food source for doves and quail.

This plant is common in kitchen gardens in southern Mexico and Central America. If you live where the growing season is short, start from seeds indoors as you would tomatoes or peppers and transplant when your weather warms. This plant can be a perennial, but if your area has frost/freezing temperatures, grow this as an annual. Deadhead or remove seeds to prevent volunteer plants as this can become somewhat invasive in warmer climates. Outlawed in Hawaii and Australia. The leaves are the edible portion; cook before consuming.

Provide support when growing Hablitzia tamnoides. A good support is seen in the Tuteur Idea submitted by @Bubbles: http://garden.org/ideas/view/B...

Cajanus cajan, pigeonpeas/pigeon peas, can be grown as an annual, starting indoors where necessary to ensure a harvest before frost. The plants will not tolerate frost. In suitably warm climates they can be grown as a short-lived perennial living up to 5 years. The branches can be cut and used as mulch around other crops such as fruit trees.

Also called 'Kikko-Chiku' which means 'tortoise-shell' in Japanese.

Some sources say it is an unstable sport; not a true cultivar.

Cajanus cajan flower colors can vary greatly; see this link:

http://www.icrisat.org/what-we...

A source of the ambrette seed 'musk' oil used in high-end perfume and cosmetics; oil also used as a flavoring in tobacco, baked goods, sweets, vermouth, and bitters.