Buddha's Hand

No, this is not some kind of space alien - at least I don't think so. The dogs and I have had our eye on it for some time now and it hasn't moved under its own power....

This is called the Buddha's Hand or Buddha Plant. It grows on shrubs in China and India and is used for a variety of things. Mostly, the zest from the skin is more fragrant than lemon for cooking and I have found reference to it being used as a room or drawer air freshener. I just thought it looked cool.

Your challenge, friendly visitor, is to find more uses for it and possibly a scientific name. It will be much obliged. Hurry though, as my wife thought she saw saucer looking vehicles hovering over our house a few minutes ago...

;)