Leave it to the Leaves for Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

It's a vine. It's a climber. It's evergreen in wet climates. It's beautiful but it's barely a flower!

What?

Seriously, one of the most beautiful flora around these parts is all about the leaves or "bracts." Jeepers, who knew?! So what is a Bract?

According to Britannica online a bract is a "small, leaflike structure often positioned beneath a flower or inflorescence. What are often taken to be the petals of flowers are sometimes bracts." The article points to the colorful poinsettia and dogwood as popular culprits.

Here in Florida, it's most notably the Bougainvillea!

The actual flower has a diameter smaller than a dime.

Those of us who grew up elsewhere just thought that the magnificent magenta set against the deep evergreen of the vine was a beautiful flower. Not so! It is simply a cluster of leaves.

So, let's hear it for the leaf. Enjoy!

Accumulation, Part II: Tropics Defined

Now that I live in Palm Beach, I've discovered what accumulation means here {at least what I have noticed}: how deep the piles of overgrown greens, palms and other natural products are.

It astonished me after five months, seeing bushes bloom numerous times. Back in Colorado, many bushes bring out their splendor in the spring or summer but only once.

Blooming tree in the front of the house with a hungry visitor

Early on in my time here, I began to notice piles of green debris in neighborhoods. These piles, comprised of clipped hedge leaves, fallen palm fronds, discarded limbs and dried bits of flora, piled up at the end of driveways all over the island.

Around our block, these piles magically disappeared on Thursday afternoons.
I mean, I know it's a magical place here but that is going a bit far. On the other hand, I wouldn't put it past the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County to make middle-of-the-night round ups.

After weeks of wondering, I finally saw the claw along with his truck and gentlemen who made the magic happen.

Apparently this crew is out on the Island five days a week to keep the accumulation cleared away...all year.

Smiling! I think he couldn't imagine why I was taking these pictures.

What I want to know? Where does it all go when the truck is full? Feel free to comment if you know.

Thanks and see you next time, Eli

West Palm Green Market

Now that "the Season" has officially started in the Palm Beaches, some fun events are coming back to the community. One such event is the West Palm Beach Green Market which you can find right here.

We had family in town this weekend, so we all made our way over for a couple of hours of fun. Check out some of what you'll find there.

Plenty of shady seating for having a snack or lunch.

Many four-legged furries enjoyed the day

It was a feast for the eyes...with colorful hydrangeas, roses, potted plants, orchids and more.

Gorgeous blooms from Flowers to Go

Brilliant specimens from R&R Orchids

A feast for the palate, including delicacies such as teas, spices, baked goods, Cuban food, fresh lemonade, vegetables, guacamole, and so much more.

Such a beautiful display at Organic Teas & Spices

Colorful, thick honey from The World's Finest Raw Honey company. So beautiful!

Mouth-watering sweets from Lorene's Loving Oven

"Eating the rainbow" (fruits and vegetables from all the colors of the rainbow)
has never been easier with D & D Family Farms

Parking can be a little challenging so riding one of these to the market is a great, green idea.

 Dates open: Now through April 14, 2012

Hours: 8am to 1pm

at 101 South Flagler Drive

Until next time, Eli