Cornus florida urbiniana | Magic Dogwood | Mexican Flowering Dog wood | 5_Seeds Banded Orange Heliconian

Cornus florida urbiniana | Magic Dogwood | Mexican Flowering Dog wood | 5_Seeds Banded Orange HeliconianThis is Cornus florida urbiniana, also known as Mexican flowering dogwood, and Magic Dogwood. This breath taking tree can grow up to 30 feet high and likes to live in the sun or partial shade. This is a subspecies of our more common flowering dogwood, but this one comes from eastern Mexico. Each white petal like bract is creased and the bracts are all fused at the ends. The flower never fully opens, creating a magnificent blossom which resembles a

This is Securigera varia

but easily maintained at 4 to 5 feet high

The fruit itself is slightly sweet and very delicious which is not a big surprise because this plant is in the guava family

also known as solitary fishtail palm

After the cross pollination happens

These attractive bright yellow flowers are pollenated by bees

Many insects gather nectar and eat at this plant including the Juniper Hairstreak butterfly

This vine grows up to about 15 feet long and is very easy to take care of once it is established in one spot

Carus Skipper

The roots can be eaten cooked

Fiber from the inner bark can be used to make cord or paper

Zebra Heliconian