The damson (/dmzn/) or damson plum (Prunus domestica subsp.

insititia, or
sometimes Prunus insititia),[1] also archaically called the "damascene"[2] is an
edible drupaceous fruit, a subspecies of the plum tree. Varieties of insititia are found across
Europe, but the name "damson" is derived from and most commonly applied to forms which
are native to Ireland and Great Britain.[3] Damsons are relatively small plum-like fruit with a
distinctive, somewhat astringent taste, and are widely used for culinary purposes,
particularly in fruit preserves or jam.
In South and Southeast Asia, the term "damson plum" sometimes refers to Jambul, the fruit
from a tree in the Myrtaceae family.[4]The name "Mountain Damson" or "Bitter Damson" was
also formerly applied in Jamaica to the tree Simarouba amara.[5]
The name damson derives from the earlier term "damascene", and ultimately from the
Latinprunum damascenum, "plum of Damascus". One commonly stated theory is that
damsons were first cultivated in antiquity in the area around the ancient city of Damascus,
capital of modern-daySyria, and were introduced into England by the Romans. The
historical link between the Roman-eradamascenum and the north and west European
damson is rather tenuous despite the adoption of the older name, particularly as
the damascenum described by the Roman authors has more of the character of a sweet
dessert plum.[6] Nevertheless, remnants of damsons are sometimes found during
archaeological digs of ancient Roman camps across England, and they have clearly been
cultivated, and consumed, for centuries. Damson stones have been found in the fosse at
the Hungate, York, and dated to the late period of Anglo-Saxon England.[7]
The exact origin of Prunus domestica subsp. insititia is still extremely debatable: it is often
thought to have arisen in wild crosses, possibly in Asia Minor, between the sloe, Prunus
spinosa, and prunus cerasifera, the cherry plum.[8] Despite this, tests on cherry plums and
damsons have indicated that it is possible that the damson developed directly from forms of
sloe, perhaps via the round-fruited varieties known as bullaces, and that the cherry plum did
not play a role in its parentage.[8] Insititia plums of various sorts, such as the
German Krieche or Dutch kroosjes, occur across Europe and the word "damson" is
sometimes used to refer to them in English, but many of the English varieties from which
the name "damson" was originally taken have both a different typical flavour and pearshaped (pyriform) appearance compared with continental forms. [3] Hogg commented that

"the Damson seems to be a fruit peculiar to England. We do not meet with it abroad, nor is
any mention of it made in any of the pomological works or nurseryman's catalogues on the
A pitaya /pta./ or pitahaya /ptha./ is the fruit of several cactus species.
"Pitaya" usually refers to fruit of the genus Stenocereus, while "pitahaya" or "dragon fruit"
always refers to fruit of the genus Hylocereus.
hese fruits are commonly known in English as "dragon fruit", reflecting its vernacular Asian
names. These include the Indonesia buah naga (lit. dragon fruit), the Khmer sror kaa
neak (dragon scale), the Thai kaeo mangkon (Thai: ) (dragon crystal), the
Lao maak manggohn (Lao: ), the Vietnamese thanh long (green dragon), and
the Chinese hu lng gu (fire dragon fruit) or lng zh gu (dragon pearl fruit). Other
vernacular names are "strawberry pear" or "nanettika fruit".
The name 'pitahaya' or 'pitaya' is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, derived from
the Spanish rendition of the Haitian.[1
Pitahaya-producing cacti of the genus Hylocereus are originally native to Mexico. They were
transplanted to Central America and to other parts of the world.
They are cultivated in East Asian, South Asian and Southeast Asian countries such
as Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia,
and more recently Bangladesh.[2][3] They are also found in Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel,
northern Australia, southernChina[4] and in Cyprus.
The fruit was probably introduced by Europeans who brought it from the New World.[5] In the
case of Taiwan, the fruit was brought in by theDutch.[6]
Hylocereus blooms only at night; the large white fragrant flowers of the typical cactus flower
shape are among those called "moonflower" or "Queen of the Night." Sweet pitahayas have
a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma. It is also grown as an ornamental plant, used
in gardens as a flowering vine and a house plant indoors.
Stenocereus fruit (sour pitayas) are a variety that is commonly eaten in the arid regions of
the Americas. They are more sour and refreshing, with juicier flesh and a stronger taste.

The sour pitaya or pitaya agria(S. gummosus)[7] in the Sonoran Desert has been an
important food source for Native Americans. TheSeri people of northwestern Mexico still
harvest the fruit,[8] and call the plant ziix is ccapxl "thing whose fruit is sour". The fruit of
related species, such as S. queretaroensis and the dagger cactus (S. griseus),[9]are also
locally important foods. The Organ Pipe Cactus (S. thurberi) fruit (called ool by the Seris) is
thepitaya dulce ("sweet pitaya"). It still has a more tart aroma than Hylocereus fruit,
described as somewhat reminiscent of watermelon; it has some uses in folk medicine.
Acacia pycnantha, commonly known as the golden wattle, is a tree of the
family Fabaceae native to southeastern Australia. It grows to a height of 8 m (25 ft) and
has phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks) instead of true leaves. Sickle-shaped, these are
between 9 and 15 cm (3.59 in) long, and 13.5 cm (121 12 in) wide. The profuse fragrant,
golden flowers appear in late winter and spring, followed by long seed pods. Plants are
cross-pollinated by several species of honeyeater and thornbill, which visit nectaries on the
phyllodes and brush against flowers, transferring pollen between them.
An understorey plant in eucalyptus forest, it is found from southern New South Wales and
the Australian Capital Territory, through Victoria and into southeastern South Australia.
Explorer Thomas Mitchell collected the type specimen, from which George Bentham wrote
the species description in 1842. No subspecies are recognised. The bark of A.
pycnantha produces more tannin than any other wattle species, resulting in its commercial
cultivation for production of this compound. It has been widely grown as an ornamental
garden plant and for cut flower production, but has become a weed in South Africa,
Tanzania, Italy, Portugal, Sardinia, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, as well as Western
Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. Acacia pycnantha was made the official floral
emblem of Australia in 1988, and has been featured on the country's postal stamps.
Acacia pycnantha generally grows as a small tree to between 3 and 8 m (1025 ft) in
height,[2] though trees of up to 12 m (40 ft) high have been reported in Morocco.[3] The bark is
generally dark brown to greysmooth in younger plants though it can be furrowed and
rough in older plants.[4] Branchlets may be bare and smooth or covered with a white bloom.
[2]

The mature trees do not have true leavesbut have phyllodesflat and widened leaf stems

that hang down from the branches. Shiny and dark green, these are between 9 and
15 cm (3.59 in) long, 13.5 cm (121 12 in) wide and falcate (sickle-shaped)
to oblanceolate in shape.[2] New growth has a bronze coloration.[5] Field observations at Hale

Conservation Park show the bulk of new growth to take place over spring and summer from
October to January.[6]
Floral buds are produced year-round on the tips of new growth, but only those initiated
between November and May go on to flower several months later. Flowering usually takes
place from July to November (late winter to early summer) in the golden wattle's native
range; because the later buds develop faster, flowering peaks over July and August. [7][8] The
bright yellow inflorescences occur in groups of 40 to 80 on 2.59 cm (13 12 in)long racemes that arise from axillary buds.[2] Each inflorescence is a ball-like structure that
Tagetes ( Marigold) [2] is a genus[3] of annual or perennial, mostly herbaceous plants in the
sunflower family (Asteraceae or Compositae). It was described as a genus by Linnaeus in
1753.[4][5]
The genus is native to North and South America, but some species have become
naturalized around the world. One species, T. minuta, is considered a noxious invasive plant
in some areas.[3] Tagetes species vary in size from 0.1 to 2.2 m tall. Most species
have pinnate green leaves. Blooms naturally occur in golden, orange, yellow, and white
colors, often with maroon highlights. Floral heads are typically (1-) to 46 cm diameter,
generally with both ray florets and disc florets. In horticulture, they tend to be planted
as annuals, although the perennial species are gaining popularity.
Depending on the species, Tagetes species grow well in almost any sort of soil. Most
horticultural selections grow best in soil with good drainage.

Nomenclature[edit]
The name Tagetes is from the name of the Etruscan Tages.[6]
The common name in English, "marigold", is derived from "Mary's gold", a name first
applied to a similar plant native to Europe, Calendula officinalis. See marigold for other
plants commonly called marigold. In Nepal, it is called '' that means hundred-leafed
flower, referring to its many florets per head.
The most commonly cultivated varieties of Tagetes are known variously as African
marigolds (usually referring to cultivars and hybrids of Tagetes erecta, although this species
is not native to Africa), or French marigolds (usually referring to hybrids and cultivars
of Tagetes patula, many of which were developed in France, although the species is not

native to that country). The so-called signet marigolds are hybrids derived mostly
from Tagetes tenuifolia.
Tagetes minuta is the source of commercial "tagetes oil" used in industry. It is now
a naturalized species in Africa, Hawaii, and Australia, and is considered an invasive
species(weed) in some regions.
Depending on the species, marigold foliage has a musky, pungent scent, though some
varieties have been bred to be scentless. It is said to deter some common insect pests, as
well as nematodes. Tagetes species are hence often used in companion
planting for tomato,eggplant, chili pepper, tobacco, and potato. Due to