Chinese New Year, Day 15th

 Above, raw, semi panfried and then steamed.

Today, is the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, and the last day. The Northern Chinese eat this Jiao tze dumpling. This day is also called Yuan Xiao day. Some celebrate the lantern Festival.

Aloe maculata

Aloe maculata (synonym Aloe saponaria; commonly known as the Soap Aloe or Zebra Aloe) is a Southern African species of aloe.



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Aloe maculata - previously Aloe sapinaria

Aloe maculata - previously Aloe sapinaria

flowers pineapple

not a flower but just as pretty,

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Chinese Zodiac, Year of the goat/sheep

The Chinese Zodiac is a 12 year cycle. Each year of the 12 year cycle is named after one of the original 12 animals. Each animal has a different personality and different characteristics. The animal is believed to be the main factor in each person's life that gives them their traits, success, and happiness in their lifetime. A person may not remember the year he was born, but he definitely what animal he is.

The Chinese zodiac refers to a pure calendrical cycle.
The animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (ram or goat), monkey, rooster, dog, and boar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_astrology

Today, I taught my students of the legend why the cat is not included in the Zodiac.


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Pitcher plants in New Zealand

These pitcher plants are found in the Winter Gardens of Auckland Domain.

flower cobra lily, carnivorous plant

 cobra lily, carnivorous plant selling in my local garden centre.
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Flowers Aster.

What is the difference between a mum and an aster?

They look pretty much the same to me.

Actually the Chrysanthemum family has been redivided into several over the last 10 years or so. But the common mums you are probably thinking about vary in flower type (cushion, daisy, button, football, spider, and spoon petal), has a wide range of colors, and plant sizes from compact to 3' or more (footballs). The leaves are deeply lobed and somewhat serrated, while the color foliage is an olive to medium green. Bloom time is early fall. Best if pinched each spring to encourage branching. Also best if divided every couple of years and replanted.
Asters blooms pretty much fall into the daisy form, most are small, but some to 2" The color range is more limited with blues, lavenders, and purples dominant, but pinks and whites also available. The Aster foliage is darker green, almost a blue green, and usually with a small slender leaf. There are compact varieties to about 18" but many get 3' or more. In most areas, they are hardier perennials, requiring less maintenance. They bloom usually at the end of summer, prior to fall. 

 

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080901072335AAyQMFl 

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