Welcome to our annual Tropical Flowering Tree Society Auction. Tonight we present more than seventy rare flowering plant species from around the globe. Many of these are rarely found in cultivation in our area.

This auction would not have been possible without the generosity of the donor nurseries. Below is a list of the donor nurseries with their address and phone number. Please patronize their establishments!

Good luck tonight in acquiring that special plant, and remember--- bid aggressively!

Lewis Eastlick, President TFTS

A herbaceous perennial plant from China with delicate, variegated leaves which are almost white. The sprays of flowers have delicate poms of yellow and pink. The plant will mound and blooms profusely throughout the year.

Shrubby vining African species with beautiful glossy leaves and racemes of electric blue trumpet flowers with yellow throats reputedly frost hardy

One of the most outrageous flowers in the world, this species from Brazil is huge-over ten inches in length. Each flower displays an intricate pattern of white and mottled reddish brown; the mouth is ringed in black and has a center of golden yellow. Draw close to it and smell its lemon scent. As a climbing vine, it displays well on trellis or stake. Or, with a little training, it can be contained to a limited space, such as a hanging basket. Full to partial sun, grows to 1-3’ in container, vining in habit, minimum temperature 60° for indoor container culture, blooms in spring, summer, and fall.

Originally from the Philippines, the Jade Vine has strangely colored, blue-green flowers, which hang in magnificent clusters of cylindrical pods. It grows to 20m and flowers all through summer. It does very well in semi-shaded and sunny areas.

A small tree from Central America. It has clusters of fragrant, ochre and yellow flowers. To 15 feet.

Evergreen plant which can grow to a height of 30 feet. It is very densely branched with dark green, long and narrow leaves. The snowy white flowers and apple-like fruit are characteristic of this plant.

The pods of this tree are rich in protein and sugar and have often been proclaimed "wholesome for man or beast". The pulp is a valuable sweetener and chocolate substitute and the seeds have even been roasted as a coffee substitute. The seeds and pods can be fermented and distilled, with the drink retaining the appealing flavor of the pods. The seeds ground up produce a protein rich flour that contains no starch or sugar and is ideal for diabetics. A mature tree can produce over 400 pounds of pods and seeds annually.

This spectacular tree grows to 50 ft (15 m) tall, with a broad canopy of large, dark green oblong leaves to 14 inches long, 25-50 nerved; flowers white, fragrant, showy to 8" across, stamens many, yellow, carpels 15-20; fruit dehiscent, the mass globose, to 4 inches diameter, each carpel with 5 or more black seeds in a colorless pulp. The developing fruit resemble green apples. The mature fruit, measuring up to 6 in (15 cm) across, are edible fresh, and so are the mature fruit bracts. Also used in curries and jellies.

A handsome tropical tree from Africa with panicles of pinky/purple flowers in profusion. The flowers are delicately scented. To 30 feet.

Apocynaceae, lecheso. Small ornamental tree from Central America with paired oval leaves about 6 inches long and yellow-centered white tubular flowers about 2 inches or more in length. Fragrant

A wonderful medium tree with large panicles of showy bright red/pink flowers. This is one of the least frequently seen of the showy Cassia.

To 50 feet.

An evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and fragrant single white flowers. One of the most stunning of the tropical gardenias!

A beautiful tropical tree with profusions of pink/white sweet pea-like flowers. Not often seen in cultivation in our area.

To 40 feet.

An evergreen subtropical shrub to 8’ tall and wide with soft, rather grey green leaves to 4" long. Pendant, tubular violet blue flowers, to 1/4" wide by 3-4" long, are borne in clusters of up to forty. Can bloom almost all year in mild winter areas, but bloom is heaviest in spring and summer. Related to Brugmansia, but more frost resistant. Sun to part shade, average to little summer watering, has survived 17°F. Northwestern South America. Solanaceae.

A wonderful cultivar with breath-taking foliage and magenta blossoms. One of the finest oleanders.

An attractive evergreen shrub from Asia. It has glossy bronze leaflets which are cuspidate with serrated edges. Flowers are an inflorescence of small burgundy buds. Likes sun and warmth - may flower at 1' hgt.

Colvillea racemosa, a tree from Madagascar, shows off fiery blooms. Its grape-like clusters of velvety
buds range from chameleon green to blood orange

A stunning, slow-growing, native tree with small lilac-colored flowers followed by the distinctive red fruit. A truly outstanding small tree.

To 20 feet.

Endemic to India this is a 5-6 m tall tree, 35-40 cm trunk, peeling bark, tan and light tan to brown in places, orange- yellow flowers, filaments pale red-brown; anthers orange. Style pale green-pink. Pods dehiscent, but often falling with seeds still attached-perfumed.

From Indonesia and New Guinea. this liana with opposite, pinnate leaves has very showy baby pink flowers. The flowers appear on the old growth and are spectacular in bloom.

The tree of a thousand stars. Small oval leaves. Masses of star-like flowers. Variegated picotee leave with white blossoms.

A rare variety of this spectacular white-blooming Dombeya. The flowers are pure white or pinkish (up to 20mm diam.), in large clusters, in leaf axils near ends of branchlets, in profusion on bare tree, in spring (July-September). Sweetly scented.

A medium tree with showy burgundy flowers. The wine-colored blossom has a 5-lobed calyx and corolla with didynamous stamens. The corollas are leathery, which resists shredding by the clawed wings of bats that visit and pollinate this species in its native habitat in tropical West Africa. The flowers and the large, sausage-like indehiscent fruits that develop from them hang on long stems below and away from the limbs of the tree. Although not edible, the fruits are used in Africa as an external medication

An evergreen species from the Dominican Republic that has spoon shaped leaves, a little smaller than the regular hybrids. It is fast growing and a good bloomer with many small white scented blooms. Totally resistant to the Plumeria rust.

This small Central/South American tree produces sprays of yellow or pink flowers. The flowers bedeck the entire tree and are then followed by yellow acid fruits, which are eaten fresh or used for jellies, wines, liquors.

A Philippine native lives up to its name ‘Jewels of the Nile. Blooms are huge, most are 8-12 inches in diameter. Each flower is made up of scores of smaller 3-4 inch long flowers in sprays of pink tubes ending with a smaller spray of creamy white flowers bursting from the center. The leaves are great as well; succulent, emerald and gold on top, and a strong garnet underneath. A reliable winter bloomer that puts on a dramatic show. It will grow to 12-15 feet and prefers moist soil.

From Africa, a tree 8 m tall; armed; large showy flowers with green sepals, white petals and orange-yellow anthers; fragrant.

A remarkable plant native of Panama. It likes the sunshine and attracts groups of hummingbirds. It has pink and magenta flowers and is a spectacular bloomer.

Spreading tree of 10-15 m in height. The flowers which are yellow and orange appear in terminal racemes in June and August. A beautiful specimen.

A wonderful tropical shrub with large, showy bracts. The flowers are a canary yellow and are subtended by the double, salmon bracts.

A small tree from Senegal which is uncommon in our area. It has fragrant yellow flowers in racemes. The small 1" leaves are bluish in color and are bifid to the base. The tree sports drooping branches.

The copious nectar which drips from the flower of this small tree accounts for the colloquial name ... Instia. The flowers are white and orange with a large claw and hang in racemes. Nine species are native to Madagascar and the islands of Indonesia

A new clone of this fragrant tree. It is indigenous to Mexico, has large white flowers which have brown streaks. The bark is brown and covered with spines. The flowers open incompletely and have a scent reminiscent of vanilla or chocolate.

A delicate legume with cauliferous pink/magenta flowers. A tropical tree whose leaves open like new handkerchiefs.

The Cuban Trumpet Tree. Snow white flowers appear over beautiful green foliage. A tree to 10 meters

A beautiful tropical ginger with large yellow flowers. The flowers are eaten in salads. Sour, aromatic juice is squeezed from stalks, diluted and sweetened for juice

From Southeast Asia, this a rare Crepe Myrtle with pink flowers which appear along the branches. It is a prolific bloomer and puts on a spectacular show!

This is one of the largest cultivated Dahlias, sometimes growing as high as 10 feet and will need staking. Branches are bamboo-like and the flower heads grow from 4 to 7 inches long. Under ideal conditions, this plant has been known to grow to a height of 20 feet! After flowering is done for the season, cut the plant back to within 6 inches of the ground and mulch well.

A very beautiful deciduous tree to 25 feet tall with smooth dark green palmately compund leaves and furrowed light gray bark. The 2-3 inch long lavender-pink flowers with yellow centers appear in clusters in early spring, covering the bare branches.

This South American tree explodes into masses of pink blossoms. This cultivar has dark pink petals which are streaked with buttermilk which extends into the throat. One of the most stunning Chorisias!

Mulateiro or Pau Mulato is a fascinating tree native to the Amazon region. It grows to a height of about 30 meters, and has been long used as a source of good high density lumber. The tree propagates easily and is found near water, where it can be periodically flooded. Mulateiro is marked by its ability to completely shed and regenerate its bark on a yearly basis, making it a totally renewable resource. The bark changes colors throughout the year as it matures, going from a green tone to a brownish tone which is very smooth, as if polished.

A medium to tall bushy shrub with large blood-red flower bracts and small cream-colored flowers. A spectacular specimen plant.

This tree, which is considered to be a mangrove associate, can also be found in tropical rainforest areas. They may grow to 20 m tall. The leaves can be up to 40 cm long and 15 cm wide. They are pointed at the tip, have slightly toothed edges and very pronounced veins. Flowers, arranged in long racemes coming out of the centrers of leaf groups, have four white petals surrounded by a profusion of white filaments. The fruit is egg shaped and about 9 cm long

A rare tree to 15 m from Mexico and South America. It has small fragrant white flowers and leathery green leaves. The native peoples used the plant for flavoring chocolate and preserving food and bodies.

From China a rare, large-leaved, Crepe Myrtle with lavender flowers borne in clusters. It is similar in form to the Queen Crepe Myrtle. It is called the tree the lizard cannot climb due to its smooth bark.

.A little-known tall tree from India to 120’. Leaves are tinged with pink and coral. Long spikes of scarlet pea-shaped flowers. A truly beautiful tree.

This is a Portlandia relative native to the Dominican Republic. It has pendulous, bell-shaped, cream-colored, flowers. It is a delightful shrub and would be a wonderful addition to any garden.

A small shrub from Southeast Asia not common in cultivation in the United States. It has a wonderful habit in that it has pendulous branches of overlapping bracts which hide the small white flowers during most of the day.

A wonderful tree from Brazil. It sports lavender flowers in abundance. The tree has no spines and is well adapted to growth in South Florida.

A rare shrub/small tree of the Rubiaceae. It is spiny and is bedecked with dangling, cream-colored, fragrant flowers.

A wonderful gnarly tree with bunches of peach/orange flowers in showy profusion.

To 25 feet.

A rare tropical shrub/small tree with outstanding white flowers held over emerald green foliage.

To 15 feet.

This is an antique botanical print from "Magazine of Botany and Register of Flowering Plants" published in London from 1834-49 by Sir Joseph Paxton. A lithograph in original hand coloring of "Mucuna macrocarpa- the long-fruited Mucuna". It has been professionally mounted and comes with its original description.

This is a large shrub/small tree is an outstanding ornamental. It blooms in bunches of rose-pink/red star-shaped flowers along its branches.

This is a rare species with purple tinged serrate leaves. The single yellow flowers are large and showy. From Indonesia.

A rare tropical shrubby vine with white sap, flowers dark red inside and whitish red outside, stamens reddish white. Montane forest. Liana to height of 25 m. Corolla pale yellow with maroon bloom on outside of tube and lobes, inside tube with distinct red stripes. Liana with almost colourless latex. Leaves papery. Calyx brown. Corolla wine-red outside, white with red lines inside. Corolla lobes white, small lobes between the big ones red. Flowers with strong, sweet fragrance.

A rarely seen, handsome, small tree from Tropical Africa with leathery leaves and profusions of beautiful white/cream flowers with scented aroma.

To 20 feet.

This is a must-have for the Bombax enthusiast. This is an intergeneric cross between two Bombax species. This is the largest flowering Chorisia hybrid and shows amazing hybrid vigor. The flowers are very large, and are a hearty pink.

Probably a cross between Plumeria rubra and obtusa. A white flower with a yellow center, very shiny leaves. The most well known obtusa. Semi -evergreen in the Miami area.

This encylopedic book is the finest book on flowering Thai plants. This is a first edition from 1998 and is wrapped plastic and has never been opened. Over 700 pages in English and Thai.

This is a rarely-offered specimen tree. The large tree is covered in densely wicked spines. The tree loves moist areas. The leaves are unique with their prominent yellow veins on a green ground. The male flowers are a conical red spike, the female flowers are tubular, waxy, and dark-red. The fruit is segmented and when ripe, opens with a loud "POP", hence its name.

This is a spectacular small tree from South America. The unique and beautiful flowers are borne in clusters amidst the foliage. The flowers are white and sweetly perfumed.

A rare tree from Colombia. This member of the Lecythidaceae sports beautiful thin green leaves and characteristic, dark pink flowers.

A magnificent and highly sought-after, tropical tree with large masses of orange-red cauliferous flowers which are fragrant at night. To 25 feet.

This is a large spreading tree from Honduras and Guatemala. The scarlet flowers appear in clustered racemes with prominent stamens.

To 60 feet.

This is a wonderful member of the Euphorbiacea. It blooms continuously with rosy-pink flowers. The stamens are extruded in a brush and the petals are reflexed.

A solanaceous vining shrub from Central and South America. It sports bright orange flowers which are attractive to hummingbirds. It has a habit like Bouganvillea.

A delightful shrub or small tree eight to ten feet tall, is native to Brazil where it grows in sandy areas adjacent to mangrove areas. Leathery, lanceolate leaves are about three inches long. Showy, waxy flowers, one to two inches across, are white with a dark red center. Small, round fruits open to expose seeds with an orange-red aril. It can be grown in a large container, or planted in full sun to light shade.

Dense bushy rainforest tree with glossy leaves, to 8cm long. Masses of white terminal flowers in October - November, pink - magenta fruit.

This out-of-print book is the rarest of Menninger’s works. This is a first edition from 1964 in mint condition with the original dust cover. It gives an analysis of the problems plants experience by the sea and chapters devoted to classes of plants adapted to seaside locations.

A queen of flowering trees is from Myanmar (Burma). It has compound leaves and a great profusion of large, irregular, yellow-spotted scarlet flowers which hang in racemes. The leaves unfurl in handkerchief fashion like the Brownea.

A rare form of this majestic tree. The flowers instead of being the plain Jane white are a deep peach color. Never before offered. A must for the serious Bombax collector.

This rare gardenia species is from the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. The robust nine-inch leaves are dark-green and leathery. The four-inch long, tubular flowers open a cream color which turns to a deep yellow-orange. The corolla has six to nine lobes which radiate like a wheel. The heavenly scent is the icing on the cake.

End of Auction