Herbs Garden Research

Tahi Ayam Plant
Common Name : Tahi Ayam Plant
Family : Verbenaceae
Scientific Name : Lantara Camara, Lantana Aculeata L.
Other Names : Yellow Sage, Shrub Verena, Vandreblomst,
Lantana, Red Sage
Explanation : It is a type of which is hairy and small. Lantana consists of 100 types of plants. Its height can reach up to 3-5 feet. The width of this plant can reach to 8 feet. The bark and leaves smell not very pleasant. This umbrella-shaped flower plant comes in various colors of yellow, pink, purple and reddish yellow.
The colour of the flower also changes according to the level from white to yellow, orange to red and the color pink to reddish rose colour. The colour changes according to the climate. Its fruits are green, red and blue black. This plant grows from stem cuttings and seedlings. The Lantana tree is very rarely damaged by animals and insects, because essentially this is poisonous.
The poison can also cause vomiting and breathing difficulties. It is an erect or slightly climbing much-branched shrub. The leaves are opposite or rarely in whorls of 3, egg-shaped to oblong-ovate, 5-8 cm x 3-5.5 cm. The stalk is 1.5-3 cm long. The inflorescence is flat or hemispherical and slightly headed. Its fruit is a spherical glossy drupe, deep blue when ripe.
Aloe Vera Plant
Common Name : Aloe Vera Plant
Family : Aspodelaceae
Scientific Name : Aloe Vera var. Chinensis, Medicinal Aloe
Special usage : Aloe Vera is now widely used on face tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturiser and/or anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose of users who suffer hay-fever or cold. Aloe Vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities. Aloe Vera extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea; however, evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established.
For its anti-fungal properties, Aloe Vera is used as a fish tank water conditioner. For bacteria, inner-leaf gel from Aloe Vera was shown to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro. In contrast, Aloe Vera extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against Xanthomonas species.
Explanation : It is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in North Africa, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Aloe Vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa and other arid areas.
The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine. Many scientific studies of the use of Aloe Vera have been undertaken, some of them conflicting. Despite these limitations, there is some preliminary evidence that Aloe Vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing, diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such a polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on the upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth. The flowers are produced in summer on a spike up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, each flower pendulous, with a yellow tubular corolla 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long.
Lidah Mertua Plant
Common Name : Lidah Mertua Plant
Family : Agavaceae
Scientific Name : Trojan Sansiviera, Sansiviera Trifasciata
Other Names : Snake Plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue, Daughter-in-law’s tongue, Lidah Jin Plant
Usage : Like some other members of its genus, S. trifasciata yields bowstring hemp, a strong plant fiber once used to make bowstrings. It is now used predominantly as an ornamental plant, outdoors in warmer climates, and indoors as a houseplant in cooler climates.
It is popular as a houseplant as it is tolerant of low light levels and irregular watering; during winter it needs only one watering every couple of months. It will rot easily if overwatered.^[1] It improves indoor air quality by removing toxins such as nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde. Numerous cultivars have been selected, many of them for variegated foliage with yellow or silvery-white stripes on the leaf margins.
Popular cultivars include 'Compacta', 'Goldiana', 'Hahnii', 'Laurentii', 'Silbersee', and 'Silver Hahnii'. It can be propagated by cuttings or by dividing the rhizome. The first method has the disadvantage that the variegation is likely to be lost. S. trifasciata is currently considered a weed in Australia.^[2]
Explanation : This plant is placed in the kitchen and toilet to kill off the stinky smell. If the leaf of this plant is cut and drank as a juice, it can cure diabetes. This plant is continuously producing oxygen and absorb the dreadful smell in the room, even to remove cigarette smell . This has been proven by NASA. Sansevieria so far have found 60 species that are divided from dozens of sub-species.




Curry Plant
Common Name : Curry Plant
Family : Rutaceae
Scientific Name : Murraya Koenigii
Other Names : Karipulei, Curry Leaves
Explanation : It is a small tree, growing 4-6 m tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm diameter. The leaves are pinnate, with 11-21 leaflets, each leaflet 2-4 cm long and 1-2 cm broad. They are highly aromatic. The flowers are small white, and fragrant. The small black, shiny berries are edible, but their seeds are poisonous. The species name commemorates the botanist Johann König.
Usage : The leaves are highly valued as seasoning in South,West-coastal Indian and Sri Lankan cooking, much like bay leaves and especially in curries with fish or coconut milk. They are also used as an ingredient in the popular Marathi dish karhi. In their fresh form, they have a short shelf life though they may be stored in a freezer for quite some time; however, this can result in a loss of their flavour. They are also available dried, though the aroma is much inferior.
The leaves of Murraya koenigii are also used as a herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Their properties include much value as an anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hypercholesterolemic etc. Curry leaves are also known to be good for hair, for keeping them healthy and long.
Although most commonly used in curries, leaves from the Curry Tree can be used in many other dishes to add spice.


Dukung Anak Plant
Common Name : Dukung Anak Plant
Family : Eurphorbiaceae
Scientific Name : Phyllanthus Niruri
Other Names : -
Explanation : Dukung Anak Plant is a small annual herb, grows up to 50-70 cm high. The leaf is about 6-10 mm.
The stem of this plant grows upright and open branching. The flowers appear alone on the leaves. There are two types of flowers, male and female, both very small, measuring only 1 mm long. The whole herb plant is used for medicinal purposes
Usage : Dukung Anak Plant is used to cure high blood pressure. The whole plant is boiled and the juice is drank daily to bring down blood pressure. It can also treat wounds and sores. Drop the juice on the wounded area as often as possible. It is also effective in treating jaundice that often strikes infants newly born. The tree is cooked with a little goat's milk. The same method can cure hepatitis.
Hempedu Bumi Plant
Common Name : Hempedu Bumi Plant
Family : Acanthaceae
Scientific Name : Andrographis Paniculata
Other Names : Hempedu Tanah, King of Bitter, Sambiloto
Explanation : Hempedu Bumi Plant are widely found in India, Thailand and easily found in peats. It is a herbaceous annual that grows vertically. The plant can reach 60-70 cm high. Its’ green leaves are thick, smooth and regular in cross. The leaf shape is oval, pointy at the end and thin at the base.
Usage : The Hempedu Bumi Plant can be used to lower high blood pressure medications and diabetes. If the leaves are pounded and dropped onto the wound, it can cure the wound. Chemical content of these leaves allows it to break the molecules of fat. The broth bitter leaf that has been stimulated can break down fat molecules.
Henna Plant
Common Name : Henna Plant
Family : Lythraceae
Scientific Name : Lawsonia Inermis
Other Names : Hina
Explanation : Henna is a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool. The name is also used for dye preparations derived from the plant, and for the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes. Additionally, the name is misused for other skin and hair dyes, such as black henna or neutral henna, which do not derive from the plant. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high. It is glabrous, multibranched with spine tipped branchlets. Leaves are opposite, entire, glabrous, sub-sessile, elliptical, and broadly lanceolate (1.5–5.0 cm x 0.5–2 cm), acuminate, having depressed veins on the dorsal surface. Henna flowers have four sepals and a 2 mm calyx tube with 3 mm spread lobes.

Usage : Henna has been used since the Bronze Age to dye skin (including body art), hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. In several parts of the world it is traditionally used in various festivals and celebrations. There is mention of henna as a hair dye in Indian court records around 400 CE, in Rome during the Roman Empire, and in Spain during Convivencia. It was listed in the medical texts of the Ebers Papyrus (16th c BCE Egypt)^[4] and by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (14th c CE (Syria and Egypt) as a medicinal herb. In Morocco, wool is dyed and ornamented with henna, as are drumheads and other leather goods. Use of henna for body art has enjoyed a recent renaissance due to improvements in cultivation, processing, and the emigration of people from traditional henna-using regions.
Misai Kucing Plant
Common Name : Misai Kucing Plant
Family : Lamiaceae
Scientific Name : Orthosiphon Stamineus, Beth
Other Names : Java tea, Kidney tea, Yaa Nuat Meo
Explanation : Misai Kucing Plant is a tree of tropical shrub in Malaysia. Malaysia is one of the 12 countries recognized as having a diverse city. Misai Kucing Plant is a tree that grows up to a height of 1.5 meters. Misai Kucing Plant is a flowering tree and is often planted as an ornamental tree. Flowers are the about 16 cm long. The flowers are bluish-white color with a long filament, like a cat mustache.
Usage : This plant is best used for treating the ailments or problems of kidney and bladder due to it's mild diuretic action. It is believed to have antiallergenic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.It is used as a remedy for kidney stone and nephretis. It is also used for treating gout, diabetes, hypertension and rheumatism. It is also reported to possess antifungal and it exhibits considerable antibacterial activity.
Mulberry Plant


Common Name : Mulberry Plant
Family : Moraceae
Scientific Name : M. Rubra L.
Other Names :
Explanation : Red mulberry is a tree that can reach 20 m in height and 45 cm in diameter. Red mulberry has a short trunk and stout, spreading branches that form a round-topped crown. The bark can be smooth or scaly and is dark brown in color. The branchlets are covered with short hairs. The leaves are simple, alternate, and up to 2 dm long. The leaves are broad, egg-shaped, and lobed. The base of the leaf is square, as if it has been cut off abruptly. The tip of the leaf is pointed. The leaves have sharply serrated margins. The upper leaf surface is rough to the touch. The lower surface is soft and covered with short hairs. The petioles are 2 to 3 cm long and produce a milky fluid when broken. The catkins that bear stamens are 2 to 5 cm long. The catkins that bear pistils are 2 to 2.5 cm long. Red mulberry has aggregate fruits that are 2 to 3 cm long. The fruits are juicy and have a dark purple color.
Usage : Ethnobotanic: Red mulberry was used by several Native American tribes to treat a variety of ailments. The sap was used to treat ringworm (Foster and Duke 2000). The Cherokee made a tea from the leaves of the plant for treatment of dysentery, weakness, and difficulty urinating (Hamel and Chiltoskey 1975). The Comanche used the fruit of the red mulberry as a food source (Carlson and Jones 1940, Moerman 1998).
Mas Cotek Plant

Common Name : Mas Cotek Plant
Family : Moraceae
Scientific Name : Ficus Deltoieda
Other Names : Mistletoe fig
Explanation : Mas Cotek is a small perennial herb, growing up to about 2m tall. The different shapes of the leaves represent different varieties some having a rounded shape and others having an elongated egg shape. The color at the top of the leaf is shining green while underneath, the surface color is golden yellow with black spots in between the leaf veins. Mas Cotek plant species are male and female. The leaves of female species are big and round in shape, while the male species are small, round and long in shape. Mas Cotek plants grow wild in eastern peninsular Malaysia and it is popular among traditional medical practitioners. The trees can be found in the jungle in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan.
Usage : Mas Cotek, also known as "mistletoe fig", has been scientifically researched by two local institutions, the University of Malaya and the Malaysian Planting Research Institute (MARDI). Research results show that Mas Cotek possesses five (5) active components which are required by the human body, namely flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, proanthocyanins and phenols. These active components have been shown to assist in human memory and are used by doctors to treat patients with disabilities in concentration. Traditionally used as a postpartum treatment to help in contracting the muscles of the uterus and in the healing of the uterus and vaginal canal, it is also used as a libido booster by both men and women.^[1] The leaves of male and female plants are mixed in specific proportions to be taken as an aphrodisiac. Among the traditional practices, Mas Cotek has been used for regulating blood pressure, increasing and recovering sexual desire, womb contraction after delivery, reducing cholesterol, reducing blood sugar level, treatment of migraines, toxin removal, delay menopause, nausea, joints pains, piles pain and improving blood circulation.
Limau Purut Plant

Common Name : Limau Purut Plant
Family : Rutaceae
Scientific Name : Citrus Hystrix
Other Names : Kaffir lime, Jeruk purut, Jeruk limo, Jeruk sambal
Explanation : The leaves of this fruit are oblong or egg-shaped, and seemed to be a combination and linking of two leaves, like wings. The top side of the leaf is dark green and shiny, while the bottom side of the leaf is lighter or yellowish green in color. The leaf will give a fresh lime (or lemon-like) fragrance when squashed with the fingers. And in traditional Malay dishes, the leaves are added to give the dish the unique taste of lime. The flower of this fruit is star-shaped, and reddish white or yellowish in color. The fruit is smaller than an ordinary apple or orange, and round and pear-like in shape with uneven skin, having sort of big pimples or "mini-volcanoes" on the skin!
Usage : Limau purut contains tannin, triterpenouid and saponin. It is used in herbal medicines and traditional treatments, as the fruit and especially its leaves, have those special properties to encourage the growth of skin. The Malays of Pahang, in the old days, used limau purut juice to treat hair and promote healthy growth of hair follicles. Nowadays to achieve this better, hair is first washed with ordinary shampoo, and then the hair and scalp are washed with the juice extracted from the fruit. The juice is then left for a few minutes on the head to let it soak into the hair follicles, and then the head and hair is rinsed finally with plain water. To alleviate colds, lack of energy and tiredness, the juice extracted from the fruit is mixed with plain water and drank three times a day. The juice actually tastes very sour and bitter, perhaps a lot more bitter than lemon juice. It is traditionally believed that it is good for blood circulation. The leaves are also utilised as one of the ingredients in traditional Malay sauna bath or "mandi wap" because of its fragrance, while the essence of the fruit is now popularly used in modern aromatherapy.
Limau Kasturi Plant

Common Name : Limau Kasturi Plant
Family : Rutaceae
Scientific Name : Citrus Microcarpa
Other Names : Limau Cuit, Musk Lime, Calamansi, Bugarom, Calamondin Orange
Explanation : Calamondin or Calamansi is a fruit tree in the family Rutaceae that was developed in and is very popular throughout Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines, where it is most commonly used for cooking. In the west it is variously known as acid orange, calamondin orange, Chinese Orange or Panama orange. In the Philippines it is called kalamansi/calamansi. It is a shrub or small tree growing to 3–6 m, and bears small citrus fruit used to flavour foods and drinks. Although sometimes described as a native of the Philippines or other areas of Southeast Asia, the tree is in fact the result of a hybrid between species in the genus Citrus and unknown in the wild. Hybrids between Citrus species have been cultivated for so long that the origins of most are obscure. It is generally held that most species in cultivation are ancient apomictic hybrids and selected cultivars of these hybrids, including crosses with segregate genera such as Fortunella and Poncirus. The calamandin is usually described as a cross between Citrus reticulata (Tangerine or Mandarin orange) and Citrus japonica Oval Kumquat group.
Usage : In cooking, lime is valued both for the acidity of its juice and the floral aroma of its zest. It is a very common ingredient in authentic Mexican, Southwestern United States, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It is also used for its pickling properties in ceviche. The use of dried limes (called black lime or loomi) as a flavouring is typical of Persian cuisine and Iraqi cuisine, as well as in Gulf-style baharat (a spice mixture that is also called kabsa or kebsa). Lime is an essential ingredient of any cuisine from India and many varieties of pickles are made e.g. Sweetened lime pickle, salted pickle, Lemon Chutney. Lime leaves are also a herb in South, East, and Southeast Asia.
Melur Plant

Common Name : Melur Plant
Family : Oleaceae
Scientific Name : Jasminum officinale
Other Names : Jasmine, Melati
Explanation : Jasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae), with about 200 species, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World. Most species grow as climbers on other plants or are trained in gardens on chicken wire, trellis gates or fences, or made to scramble through shrubs of open texture. The leaves can be either evergreen (green all year round) or deciduous (falling in autumn).
Usage : Widely cultivated for its flowers, jasmine is enjoyed in the garden, as a house plant, and as cut flowers. The flowers are worn by women in their hair in southern and southeast Asia. The delicate jasmine flower opens only at night and may be plucked in the morning when the tiny petals are tightly closed, then stored in a cool place until night. The petals begin to open between six and eight in the evening, as the temperature lowers.
Jasmine Tea : Jasmine tea is consumed in China, where it is called jasmine-flower tea (茉莉花茶; pinyin: mò lì huā chá). Jasminum sambac flowers are also used to make so-called jasmine tea, which often has a base of green tea, but sometimes an Oolong base is used. Flowers and tea are "mated" in machines that control temperature and humidity. It takes four hours or so for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavour of the jasmine blossoms, and for the highest grades, this process may be repeated as many as seven times. Because the tea has absorbed moisture from the flowers, it must be refired to prevent spoilage. The spent flowers may or may not be removed from the final product, as the flowers are completely dry and contain no aroma. Giant fans are used to blow away and remove the petals from the denser tea leaves. If present, they simply add visual appeal and are no indication of the quality of the tea.
Jasmine Syrup : The French are known for their jasmine syrup, most commonly made from an extract of jasmine flowers. In the United States, this French jasmine syrup is used to make jasmine scones and marshmallows.

Jasmine Essential Oil : Jasmine essential oil is in common use. Its flowers are either extracted by the labour-intensive method of enfleurage or through chemical extraction. It is expensive due to the large number of flowers needed to produce a small amount of oil. The flowers have to be gathered at night because the odour of jasmine is more powerful after dark. The flowers are laid out on cotton cloths soaked in olive oil for several days and then extracted leaving the true jasmine essence. Some of the countries producing jasmine essential oil are India, Egypt, China and Morocco.

Jasmine Absolute used in Perfume and Incense : Its chemical constituents include methyl anthranilate, indole, benzyl alcohol, linalool, and skatole. Many species also yield an absolute, which is used in perfumes and incense.

Bunga Butang

Common Name : Bunga Butang
Family : Amaranthaceae
Scientific Name : Gomphrena Globosa
Other Names : Globe Amaranth, Bachelor Button, Bozu, Vadamalli, Sennichisou
Explanation : Bunga Butang is from the plant families Amaranthaceace. This tree is also called the "Pink Flower Button." It’s scientific name is Gomphrena Globosa. The flowers are button shaped and round, with many flowers, planted by seed propagation. This tree is also called “The Plant of 40 days”.
Senduduk Plant

Common Name : Senduduk Plant
Family : Melastomataceae
Scientific Name : Malestoma Malabathricum
Other Names : Keduduk, Senggani, Straits Rhododendron, Malabar Melastome, Indian Rhododendron
Explanation : The Senduduk Plant is a shrub which can grow up to a height of 2 metres. It has attractive purple flowers and a dark purplish edible fruit. It is widely found in wasteland and by the roadside.
Usage : If the young shoots of the Senduduk plant is eaten as ulam, it can cure diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also threat piles by doing this :-
i. Use roots of the shrub.
ii. Cut the roots into small pieces.
iii. Boil the cut roots with a pot of water until 1/3 of the pot.
iv. Drink the concoction.
v. Take about 3 times a week.
vi. You should see some results.
vii. Continue until piles is fully threated.
Kuku Bima Plant

Common Name : Kuku Bima Plant
Family : Agavaceae
Scientific Name : Trojan Sansiviera, Sansiviera Trifasciata
Other Names : Snake Plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue, Daughter-in-law’s tongue, Lidah Jin Plant
Usage : Like some other members of its genus, S. trifasciata yields bowstring hemp, a strong plant fiber once used to make bowstrings. It is now used predominantly as an ornamental plant, outdoors in warmer climates, and indoors as a houseplant in cooler climates.
It is popular as a houseplant as it is tolerant of low light levels and irregular watering; during winter it needs only one watering every couple of months. It will rot easily if overwatered. It improves indoor air quality by removing toxins such as nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde. Numerous cultivars have been selected, many of them for variegated foliage with yellow or silvery-white stripes on the leaf margins.
Popular cultivars include 'Compacta', 'Goldiana', 'Hahnii', 'Laurentii', 'Silbersee', and 'Silver Hahnii'. It can be propagated by cuttings or by dividing the rhizome. The first method has the disadvantage that the variegation is likely to be lost. S. trifasciata is currently considered a weed in Australia.
Explanation : This plant is placed in the kitchen and toilet to kill off the stinky smell. If the leaf of this plant is cut and drank as a juice, it can cure diabetes. This plant is continuously producing oxygen and absorb the dreadful smell in the room, even to remove cigarette smell . This has been proven by NASA. Sansevieria so far have found 60 species that are divided from dozens of sub-species.
Morning Glory

Common Name : Morning Glory
Family : Convolvulaceae
Scientific Name : Ipomoea Purpurea
Other Names : Bunga Seri Pagi
Explanation : The flower usually lasts for a single morning and dies in the afternoon. On a cloudy day, the flower may last until night. New flowers bloom each day. The flowers usually start to fade a couple of hours before the petals start showing visible curling. They prefer full sun throughout the day and mesic soils. Some morning glories, such as Ipomoea muricata, are night blooming flowers.
In some places such as Australian bushland, morning glories develop thick roots and tend to grow in dense thickets. They can quickly spread by way of long creeping stems. By crowding out, blanketing and smothering other plants, morning glory has turned into a serious invasive weed problem.
Usage : Ipomoea aquatica, known as water spinach, water morning-glory, water convolvulus, Ong-Choy, Kang-kung, or swamp cabbage, is popularly used as a green vegetable especially in East and Southeast Asian cuisines. It is a Federal Noxious Weed, however, and technically it is illegal to grow, import, possess, or sell within the USA. See: USDA weed factsheet. As of 2005, the state of Texas has acknowledged that water spinach is a highly prized vegetable in many cultures and has allowed water spinach to be grown for personal consumption. This is in part because water spinach is known to have been grown in Texas for more than fifteen years and has not yet escaped cultivation. The fact that it goes by so many names means that it easily slips through import inspections, and it is often available in Asian or specialty produce markets.
Kemunting Cina Plant

Common Name : Kemunting Cina Plant
Family : Apocynaceae
Scientific Name : Catharanthus Roseus
Other Names : Madagascar Periwinkle, Vinca Rosea
Explanation : In the wild, it is an endangered plant; the main cause of decline is habitat destruction by slash and burn agriculture. It is also however widely cultivated and is naturalised in subtropical and tropical areas of the world. It is an evergreen subshrub or herbaceous plant growing to 1 m tall. The leaves are oval to oblong, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–3.5 cm broad, glossy green, hairless, with a pale midrib and a short petiole 1–1.8 cm long; they are arranged in opposite pairs. The flowers are white to dark pink with a darker red centre, with a basal tube 2.5-3 cm long and a corolla 2–5 cm diameter with five petal-like lobes. The fruit is a pair of follicles 2–4 cm long and 3 mm broad.
Usage : The species has long been cultivated for herbal medicine and as an ornamental plant. In traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from it have been used to treat numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, and Hodgkin's disease. The substances vinblastine and vincristine extracted from the plant are used in the treatment of leukemia. This conflict between historical indigenous use, and recent patents on C.roseus-derived drugs by western pharmaceutical companies, without compensation, has led to accusations of biopiracy. It can be dangerous if consumed orally. It can be hallucinogenic, and is cited (under its synonym Vinca rosea) in Louisiana State Act 159. As an ornamental plant, it is appreciated for its hardiness in dry and nutritionally deficient conditions, popular in subtropical gardens where temperatures never fall below 5 °C to 7 °C, and as a warm-season bedding plant in temperate gardens. It is noted for its long flowering period, throughout the year in tropical conditions, and from spring to late autumn in warm temperate climates. Full sun and well-drained soil are preferred. Numerous cultivars have been selected, for variation in flower colour (white, mauve, peach, scarlet and reddish-orange), and also for tolerance of cooler growing conditions in temperate regions.