Canna Lily - Canna x generalis

These are native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America. Their name is something of a misnomer since they're not actually lilies, but they are related to them.

These plants are a little unhappy, living at my place. When they're outdoors, it's not hot enough, and when they're indoors, they're getting a good amount of sun but still not as much as they probably need. I'm hopeful that they'll survive, but if worst comes to worst I'll kill them off and eat their rhizomes, which are apparently a great source of starch and are even grown for agricultural purposes! So it's a win-win situation (for me, not for my plants).

Phylum/division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida (considered synonymous or nearly synonymous with monocotyledons - need to clarify what "nearly synonymous" means)
Order: Zingiberales (another great name)
Family: Cannaceae
Genus: Canna (the only genus in the Cannaceae family)
Species: C. x generalis

Hosta - Undulata variegata

Hosta are native to China, Japan, and Korea. They are perennial plants and grow from rhizomes. Something else I need to learn more about.

These join my Canna Lily in the small monocotyledon minority among my plants. I may get an orchid to join them. Or maybe some wheat.

According to my favorite man at the farmer's market, Hostas need a period of winter-like temperatures in order to continue their growth cycle (yes, yes, something else I need to learn more about) but the Minnesota winters are too long and cold so the best approach is to move the plants indoors for the winter and then put them in the refrigerator for about 10 weeks at some point during the winter. If mine are still alive come January, I will put them in the fridge. Right now they're looking a little unhealthy - I think they're getting too much sun, and may need to be re-potted and brought indoors.



Phylum/division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Agavaceae
Genus: Hosta
Species: H. Undulata
Cultivar: Variegata

Pothos - Epipremnum aureum

Pothos is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It's an aroid plant.

They begin to develop leaf burn if they get too much direct sunlight, and I think mine may be showing signs of this. I may have to re-pot it and bring it indoors.


Phylum/division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Monosteroideae
Genus: Epipremnum
Species: E. aureum