Plant of the week: One of the most highly valued products of the ancient world
Name: Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) Otherwise known as: Balsamodendron myrrh Habitat: A member of the Burseraceae family, which grows as a spiny tree to about 5m...
Alexander McCowan
Plant of the Week: Hallucinogenic plant used to combat witchcraft and curses
Name: Sage of the Seers (Salvia divinorum) Otherwise known as: Maria Pastora, Magic Sage Habitat: A perennial member of the family Labiateae growing to about...
Restaurant review: Ocean Basket, Mall of Cyprus
The laws on lockdown might have been written with Ocean Basket in mind. They not only run the most successful fish restaurant in Nicosia, they...
Plant of the Week: Tree produces one of the world’s oldest perfurmes
Name: Sandalwood (Santalum album) Otherwise known as: Sander’s Wood Habitat: A tree member of the Santalaceae family growing to about 18m in well-drained soil in...
Plant of the Week: Queen of flowers traditionally associated with goddess of love
Name: Rose (Rosa damascena) Otherwise known as: Trigintipetala, Damask Rose Habitat: A shrub member of the Rosaceae family native to the Orient now grown throughout...
Plant of the week: Top rated plant for helping stress
Name: Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Otherwise known as: Russian Pips Habitat: A shrub member of the Araliaceae family growing to about 3m in well-drained barren...
Plant of the week: Plant used to expel demons and predict the future
Name: Brugmansia (Brugmansia Suaveolens) Otherwise known as: Angel’s Trumpets, Tree Datura Habitat: A perennial shrub or small tree member of the Solanaceae family growing to...
Plant of the week: Plant used to lessen bruises, sprains and freckles
Name: Solomon’s Seal (Polygonum multiflorum) Otherwise known as: Lady’s seal, St Mary’s seal Habitat: A perennial member of the Liliaceae family growing to about 40cm...
Review: Pandora, Nicosia
Hesiod claimed that after she opened her ‘box’ Pandora, gifted her by Zeus, she left only hope inside, introducing evil of all kinds to the...
Plant of the week: Moss used for centuries to staunch wounds
Name: Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum cymbifolium) Otherwise known as: Bog Moss Habitat: A true moss of the family Sphagnaceae growing up to 25cm in bogs and...
