Jimsonweeds are in the potato family (Solanaceae).
Native to Sumatra, Indonesia, these bananas will only survive in Central Florida if we have a mild winter, which hasn't been the case for the past few years.
Cold winters and drought have taken their toll on the mangos and other tropical species. We're hoping for a return to some sort of normal weather at some point after 5 consecutive years of drought.
Also called the Glorytree this plant is in the Malestome family (Melastomataceae) and is not native to Florida.
In the Acanthus family (Acanthaceae), it is listed high on Florida's Exotic Pest Plant Council list.
Our Favorites from Rio That We Hope to See in Tokyo:
Men's Sevens Rugby
Chris Wyles
6-foot, 205 pound Wyles (@ChrisWyles) made his Eagles debut at the 2007 Churchill Cup in Stockport, England, against England. Wyles has played with and captained the Eagles Sevens team as well. Currently, Wyles plays professionally for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership. He was pivotal in the 2014-15 squad starting at a variety of positions--full back, center and wing--during the season. The Saracens went on to win the Premiership Final defeating Bath by a score of 28-16. Wyles started at wing and played the entire 80 minutes.
Ed Jenkins
Sevens games last just 14 minutes, but play six of them in one weekend and with a significant chunk running at “high intensity” and you start to understand why sevens players have to be a mix of sprinter, middle-distance runner and muscular footy player.
Or to put it another way, why they have to look like 6'2", 210 pound (95 kg) Aussie captain Ed Jenkins.
It’s all fairly simple: with less people on the field, you have to do a lot more. Measured by GPS units, sevens players will run an average of 1.5km to 1.8km per game. Total distance on a weekend is similar to one 15s game but the big difference is how much is done at “high intensity” levels.
Sevens players clock up 8% of total distance at high intensity — double or triple the normal level of a 15s player in a game. Most sevens players will hit top speed (nearing 10 metres per second) several times, whereas 15s players often won’t hit it at all.
Jenkins can run 40 metres in under 5 seconds, putting him in the top bracket of Super Rugby speedsters.
Tom Mitchell
Named England captain in January 2014, the 26-year-old excelled in his first full series, in 2013-14, and was the top points scorer with 358 that campaign, some 98 points ahead of Fijian flyer Samisoni Viriviri. Struggled with injury last term, but when fit he is the beating heart of England – as evidenced by his inclusion in the dream team of the 2014-15 series.
Cameron Clark
The former Australian Schoolboy international – son of Greg, Fox Sports' main rugby commentator – turned 23 in March and the talented Auckland-born back has been a mainstay of the sevens side since making his debut in the 2012 tournament in Wellington.
Seabelo Senatla
One of three South Africans to make the dream team last year, alongside Kwagga Smith – who has struggled with injury and form so far this term – and Werner Kok. Was the leading try scorer.
Sonny Bill Williams
The 30-year-old multi-code mega-star has already represented New Zealand at rugby union, rugby union (and in 2015 won his second World Cup medal, before promptly giving it away to a lucky fan at Twickenham), and even boxing. The back, famed for his outrageous off-loads in the tackle, will make his sevens debut in Wellington and has set his sights on Olympic gold – more medals for his collection.
Osea Kolinisau
The Fijian captain will make history if he can inspire his country to win their first-ever Olympic medal later on this year, when sevens makes its bow. The 30-year-old is an all-round talent, and a livewire of a player. He made his debut in 2008, and scored the most points overall in the 2015-16 campaign, with 312, making him a shoo-in for a dream team berth.
Perry Baker
Ahead of round two, in Cape Town, the former American Football flier had amassed 34 tries in 10 tournaments, including six in Dubai, the opening event of the 2015-16 campaign. The USA winger is keeping out the fastest man in rugby, Carlin Isles, so 'speedstick' is certainly one to watch.
Madison Hughes
The former Wellington College schoolboy, who won the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens in 2011, is the current America captain, and the 23-year old led from the front last term. The scrum-half and goal kicker amassed 296 points – second only to Fijian captain Osea Kolinisau (312) – and has started the 2015-16 series in impressive form.
Rieko Ioane
A frighteningly talented player, and the younger brother of Māori All Blacks and fellow New Zealand Sevens player Akira Ioane. Burst on to the international scene in Wellington early in 2015, scoring six tries – including two in the final against England, which the hosts won. Not bad work for a 17-year old, as he was then.
Terry Bouhraoua
After the first two round of the 2015-16 campaign the French captain, 28, was joint-equal in the scoring charts, on 113 with Fijian Vatemo Ravouvou, having crossed for 11 tries. The diminutive scrum-half, 5' 5", has been part of the French sevens set up since 2010, after spells with Brive, Stade Francais and Beziers.
Savenaca Rawaca
Crossed for 42 tries last season – second only to Seabelo Senatla, the South African (47) – and after two rounds of their campaign gone has already managed 10. Was named in the dream team in 2014-15, and proving equally tricky to stop this series.
and a couple more to think about. . .
Above: far right,
Sacha Valleau
with Luis Nani after a recuperative cryotherapy according to Sacha's instagram page (@sachavalleau). Valleau is on the French squad according to the latest updates
but Nani is not. Maybe a an incomplete list online so far. Interesting about their reliance
on cryotherapy to ease aches, pains, and muscle strains. Read more about it on Valleau's instagram page
and below
Sofiane Buitoune
Buitoune is a callup to complete the French squad
according to France's wikipedia page on Rugby 7s.
Can't Miss:
with #AskTheGays Hashtag
Gays' Response to Donald Trump
and his Wildlife Killing Children
See the awful photos of what
the Trump sons do in their free time
at snopes.com
Photos show Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump posing with many kills from hunting trips.
Shameful!
And Below, the Gay's Response to The Donald
What we're reading:
The main areas where birds can live and breed will shrink by at least 50% by 2080.
Federal air marshal stabbed with syringe in Nigeria.
Edwin Chota murdered for trying to protect his country's natural resources: Old growth trees.
Taking the bump out of airline turbulence. Stronger computing power, improved satellite and radar technology and more sophisticated scientific weather models have all given airlines a more detailed understanding of flying conditions.
I guess it's true, 'cause I'm stone in love with you
What we're listening to:
I just can't get this 1972 tune out of my head by the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics. . .
"Stone in Love With You". . . love those lyrics . . . dreaming my life away. . .
"Stone in Love With You". . . love those lyrics . . . dreaming my life away. . .
I'm just a man, an average man
Doing everything the best I can
But if I could, I'd give the world to you
I'd like to someday be the owner of the first house on the Moon
There would be no neighbors, and no population boom
You might say that all I do is dream my life away
I guess it's true, 'cause I'm stone in love with you
