Category Archives: Flowering plants

Plants that flower, usually ornamental, exotic and common…

The Balsam in the Water

Posted on January 3, 2010 | Leave a comment

Waterlogged areas can be a headache for many gardeners as they can be expensive to improve for growing plants that demand a well-draining location. Ever since I joined the National Parks Board (NParks) and got stationed in HortPark (the gardening hub of Singapore), I got to face the challenges of having to plant up waterlogged areas. One of the plants I got acquainted with was Hydrocera trifolia, commonly known as the water balsam or marsh henna. My colleagues from the Hort Management section planted a grove of Hydrocera trifolia in a waterlogged area near the prototype glasshouses located near the back of HortPark.

Hydrocera trifolia is native to lowland areas stretching from Southern India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia to Indonesia and is found growing in ditches, pools, rice fields and marshy places. From its ability to grow in stagnant water and the picture of its flowers shown above, it is clear why Hydrocera trifolia is called a water balsam. According to a Kew Bulletin paper by Grey-Wilson, this plant can grow in water with its stems submerged in water to a depth of 70 cm! For those of us who are familiar with the common garden balsam, Impatiens balsamina, it is a plant that loves to grow in moist areas but never waterlogged!

This plant is a perennial and can grow up to 1 m in the tropics. The part that grows above water is leafy and unbranched and its stems are held erect. Interestingly, the submerged portion do not have leaves and will thicken and become spongy, which I think is an effort by the plant to prevent itself from sinking! How interesting!

However,  Hydrocera trifolia and Impatiens balsamina differ in two ways, in terms of the structures of their flowers and fruits, according to Grey-Wilson. In a Hydrocera trifolia flower, one will be able to observe that there are five sepals and petals, where the latter are all free from one another. In  Impatiens balsamina, the flower usually have 3 sepals and the four petals instead come in two pairs, with the dorsal petal free.

The fruits of Hydrocera trifolia do not split open like those found in Impatiens balsamina which we learn from primary school textbooks that they burst open when ripe to disperse seeds via explosive action. Each fruit of Hydrocera trifolia contain about 5 seeds whereas one can find many more in Impatiens balsamina.

Like Impatiens balsamina, the flowers of Hydrocera trifolia yield a dye and the flowers of the latter are used to prepare a red dye for fingernails which serves as a substitute for henna (Lawsonia inermis). This use is behind Hydrocera trifolia’s alternative common name, water henna.

This plant is easy to grow that are suited for growing inside or near the edge of ponds. Although aquatic in growth habit, one can also grow it in a pot of soil that is kept moist at all times. It thrives in semi-shaded areas to locations with full sunshine and can be propagated easily via stem-cuttings or via layering.

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What’s Ulam Raja?

Posted on December 30, 2009 | 1 Comment

I first came across a medicinal plant that is called ‘ulam raja’ when I was doing a research project on plant antioxidants during my Food Science and Technology undergraduate days in the National University of Singapore. Thanks for my Malay friend, Hidayat, he was the one who brought me to Geylang Serai wet market on several Sunday mornings to search for vegetables and plants that are consumed by the local Malay community.  I have not seen it being put up for sale in most other markets. In the local market, bundles of fresh, young and tender tips of this plant are put on sale. They wilt quickly, however, under our hot weather here.

Botanically known as Cosmos caudatus, it is sometimes called ‘wild cosmos’ by locals here but it is mostly refered to via its Malay name, ulam raja, which translates into ‘king vegetable’. Native to tropical America, it was first introduced to Philippines via the Spaniards, according to Plant Resources of South East Asia (PROSEA). The pinnate to pinnatipartite leaves of this plant are consumed as a leafy vegetable, usually in the raw form, but sometimes also cooked and mixed with coconut sauce and chillies. It constitutes as one of the more common raw plant leaves eaten a salad-like form, called ‘ulam’ by the local Malay community as well as those in Indonesia and Malaysia.

For the uninitiated, the leaves of ulam raja tastes raw and somewhat astringent. When crushed, the leaves emit an odour that is reminiscent of mango. It is considered as a medicinal herb which is believed to possess the ability to cleanse the blood and strengthen bones due to its high calcium content. From my research, a preliminary one which was done with my then postgraduate colleague, the dried leaves of this plants contain high amounts of potent antioxidants. The results of our work was published in the following paper:

Shui G, Leong LP, Wong SP. (2005) Rapid screening and characterisation of antioxidants of Cosmos caudatus using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 827(1):127-38.

The plant itself can grow quite tall, up to 3 m tall but is an annual or a short-lived perennial herb. It produces dainty, attractive pink flowers when mature. It should not be confused with the yellow- and orange-flowered Cosmos sulphureus as both species are similar vegetatively and have some vernacular names (randa midang in West Java) in common. The latter are more important as ornamental plants that are a common feature during Chinese New Year.

The ulam raja plant was once difficult to find in Singapore. It can sometimes be found naturalised in abandoned kampongs or wastelands. Occasionally, one is able to find a colony being grown by a Malay resident in a community garden. A few years ago, it was almost impossible to buy pots of this plant. Only recently, I discovered World Farm, a Singaporean wholesale nursery stocking some pots of it for sale to the public. I managed to get some young plants that were weeded out from a colleague’s park a couple of months ago.

This plant is rather easy to grow. It thrives in a sunny spot outdoors with well draining, fertile and moist soil. It is a big drinker and demands a constant supply of food. Under optimal conditions, it grows quickly, flowers and sets seeds very readily. Plants self seed easily and can quickly become a weed in a garden. Harvesting of leaves can commence once plants are 6 weeks old and subsequent ones can be done every 3 weeks. Regular harvesting will stimulate the production of useful and edible foliage and helps to delay flowering.

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Posted in Flowering plants, Herbs, Vegetables

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Orchidantha – the Ultimate Houseplant

Posted on December 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

I was given a division of Orchidantha siamensis by a fellow collector a while ago who knew I was interested in plants that are classified in the order Zingiberales. There is only one genus, that is, Orchidantha, in the Lowiaceae family. This genus consists of about five to eight species of plants that grow in the wet understorey of the lowland forest and are native to Southeast Asia and some Pacific Islands.

The genus name is given due to the orchid-like appearance of the flowers produced by these plants. Flowers are usually produced via a subterranean inflorescence and are often hidden away. One of the petals in each flower is enlarged to give a large lip-like structure similar to what is seen in a true orchid. Flowers of one species, Orchidantha inouei of Borneo emits the smell of dung in order to attract small dung beetles as their pollinators! The plant I have freely flowers and thankfully, the smell of its flowers can only be detected when one really goes upclose to them!

I particularly like the Orchidantha as it is perhaps the most shade-tolerant group of plants I have come across so far. Many foliage plants introduced in many houseplant and indoor plant books cannot match it in terms of the ability to grow and thrive in deep shade often encountered in the indoor living environment. It seems to be also able to tolerate dry air rather well too. From this, I reasoned that they also make good candidates for planting in very dim areas in an outdoor garden.

Best grown and appreciated as foliage houseplants that confer a lush tropical feel, Orchidantha species are herbaceous perennial plants with a clumping growth habit. New growth rise from a rhizomatous underground stem. Leaves are lanceoate in shape andhas several pairs of longitudinal veins parallel to the distinct midrib.

I noticed Orchidantha is best grown in a very shaded area as even rays from filtered sunshine can bleach the leaves, giving them a sickly yellow colour. Intense sunshine will burn them. They prefer to be grown in soil that is rich in organic matter, open and kept moist at all times. Avoid growing them in a windy area as constant air movement can dry plants out. Propagation is easy via division of large clumps.

Orchidantha, apparently, have medicinal and folk uses. The scorched leaves of Orchidantha fimbriatum (syn. O. longiflora) are pasted on the back and chest to relieve chest and back pains. Leaves are sometimes used to wrap food in cooking.

At present, Orchidantha is still difficult to find in local nurseries but I believe its usefulness as a foliage plant for growing in very shady areas, once discovered, will greatly call for a demand for plants to be made available to the nursery trade.

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Floral Arrangement Talk cum Demo @ HortPark’s Wedding Fair

Posted on December 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

Besides being involved in decoration work for the Wedding Fair at HortPark that was held last Saturday, one of my team members, Pearl Ho, also conducted a floral arrangement talk cum demo session entitled ‘Bridal Bouquet Demonstration’.  Pearl introduced to her audience the diversity of flowers, foliages and various arrangement styles that can be used on one’s special day. She also taught all who were present on the importance of colour scheme.

In the beginning of her talk, Pearl presented a couple of traditional hand flower bouquets that are popular wedding must-haves. She also introduced a range of innovative, ‘green-themed’ ones which are created using potted plants such as Pilea ‘Moon Valley’ (noted for its textured leaves), variegated and all-green Ficus pumila, variegated Dischidia species and Episcia ‘Malaysian Gem’. These plants definitely last longer and are easier to maintain traditional bouquets made from cut flowers!

If your wedding reception has long tables, consider using floral displays with plants incorporated in them for a more lasting and unique arrangement. Shown here is a naturalistic display using a species of club moss for its interesting-looking foliage, Selaginella kraussiana ‘Brownii’,  which forms low, small clumps of whorled mounded leaves. Plants are potted up in small thumb pots which can serve as unconventional take-away souveniors for your guests.

Another table display, suitable for traditional round tables encountered in most receptions, is made up of orchids. Spider orchid flowers (Arachnis cultivar), shown in the example above, are also more-lasting flowers compared to many other imported flower species. They also lend a more tropical feel to the atmosphere. Foliage from the aparagus fern is used as a filler, which is also a durable floral material.

Shown above is a hanging arrangement created using spider orchids. Long-lasting, finely divided leaves from a common houseplant, the Ming Aralia (Polysicias fruticosa), are used as a filler in this fine example.

In line with a garden wedding in HortPark, Pearl transformed upturned coconut coir pots into wedding bells for a hanging arrangement which can be used to decorate a chair. These pots are very afforable and are available for sale in most plant nurseries. They are the tropical version of peat pots that are usually used to start new plants and then planted together in a final growing spot, which it will gradually degrade.

Lastly, do not despair if you missed this talk and demonstration! Pearl will be conducting similar workshops for registered groups in HortPark in 2010!

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The fragrant Tillandsia duratii

Posted on December 8, 2009 | 3 Comments

Tillandsia duratii is one of my favourite airplant species. This species is named after an Italian named Durat who was the first person to grow this airplant species in Europe.

This plant has a growth form that is quite unlike many other Tillandsia species. It is a caudescent epiphyte that develops a distinctive stem and has long silvery leaves that bend downwards to the base of the plant. One will notice that the older leaves, as they dry up, form ringlets that coil around a branch or any support that they come in contact with. This is how Tillandsia duratii supports itself in its native growing habitat. From afar, this particular Tillandsia species looks as if it was a bird resting on a tree branch!

Tillandsia duratii is a xeric species that is native to drier parts of Bolivia, eastern Paraguay and northern Argentina and grows at elevations of 200 to 3500 m. It is a species that thrives in Singapore’s climate and particularly suitable for growing in Singapore’s  highrise apartment balconies where the environment can be rather windy and dry.

I grow several Tillandsia duratii plants on my balcony where they receive bright reflected light for at least half a day for half a year and direct sunshine in another half, as the sun shifts its path every half a year here in Singapore. Regardless of the intensity of sunshine, this species seems to thrive. At 14 storeys up in the apartment block, their growing environment is relatively windy and dries the plant out promptly. I water this plant by spraying water on it every other day. To date, it hasn’t succumb to rot like some other species do. 

I would say that this is one hardly and fuss-free Tillandsia species to grow in Singapore. Just a word of warning is to not grow Tillandsia duratii in an area with high traffic or very strong winds. As this plant grows on a long stem, one can accidentally break the plant into two quite easily if he/she is not observant. I reckon a gust of very strong wind can do similar damage if a plant is not well secured to its support.

This Tillandsia species is reported to be able to grow up to 40 cm in diameter and a meter in height when conditions are conducive. Do you know that it also produces flowers that are fragrant?

Tillandsia duratii is one of the few species of airplants that produces flowers that emit a pleasant fragrance. Each flower has three petals that are lilac in colour. Flowers are produced on a long inflorescence that takes months to develop. An inflorescence in a well grown, healthy plant can reach as long as 1 m in length!

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Posted in Flowering plants, High-rise Gardening, Houseplants, Tropical ornamentals

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The variegated Gardenia – for flowers or leaves?

Posted on November 28, 2009 | 2 Comments

Gardenia jasminoides (also known as Gardenia augusta) is a fragrant flowering  shrub with attractive shiny green leaves and produces fragrant white summer flowers. It is a widely cultivated garden and houseplant and can be grown in pots or outdoors in the ground as a fragrant hedge. Many varieties are now available – there those that are compact and low-growing, flowers are available in both single and double forms, as well as, plants with variegated and non-variegated leaves.

Commonly known as the cape jasmine or garden gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides is a temperate plant that is native to southern China, Japan, Taiwan and possibly also Sri Lanka. In the tropicals, it is reported to do better at altitudes of 400—1200 m. In Singapore’s hot and humid tropical climate, I noticed it prefers to be grown in a semi-shaded location outdoors. Direct sunshine in the tropics is a little too harsh for this shrub. Heat- and water-stressed plants can shed their leaves or their foliage can sometimes taken on an unhealthy yellow colour. 

In the tropical lowlands, this shrub flowers sporadically with a few blossoms each time. It thrives best in fertile and properly drained soil that is near neutral pH value. Do not let the soil dry out and the root zone should be kept moist at all times. Note that the flowers of this shrub are easily damaged by heavy tropical rains and hence it is better to try grow Gardenia jasminoides in a container which can be easily moved around during the rainy season. Interestingly, this shrub tend to flower during the rainy season and that is not surprising, as that is when the weather is much cooler. Bring a potted flowering specimen under shelter to appreciate the flowers so that the flowers don’t get damaged.

When not in flower, the dark leaves of this plant are glossy and makes an ideal foliage plant. This is achievable only when the plant is grown under semi-shade. There is a variegated version and one can see a colony being grown in HortPark’s Floral Walk. The attractive leaves of this cultivar are splashed with random swirls and patches of yellow. Unforunately, I faced much trouble trying to find and admire the flowers produced by the variegated version Gardenia jasminoides. The white flowers do not contrast well with the variegated folige backdrop. 

Not commonly produced here in Singapore, the fruits of the cape jasmine are used in China and Japan for colouring food yellow. Some extracts are commercially available in Japan and they are used to colour boiled beans, fish eggs, hot cakes, liquor, sweets, ices, noodles, candies and imitation crab. The colouring matter in the fruits contains a glycoside, which is identical with the compound called crocetin found in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). The colouring matter is a type of carotenoid pigment. However, more research is needed to prove the harmless character of the dye. The dye is also used to colour textiles yellow or scarlet.

Do you know that the fragrant flowers yield fragrant essential oils and are used in perfumery? In China, they are used for flavouring tea like the common jasmine (Jasminum sambac). Several parts of the plant are used medicinally. The roots are used against headache, dyspepsia, nervous disorders and fever while the leaves are applied in febrifugous poultices. Besides yielding colouring matter, fruits are also used against jaundice and diseases of kidneys and lungs. The seeds contain starch and an oil which is principally composed of palmatic, oleic and linoleic acid.

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Posted in Flowering plants, Herbs, Houseplants, Tropical ornamentals

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Introducing the Mickey Mouse Plant!

Posted on September 29, 2009 | 4 Comments

The Mickey Mouse plant appears to be around in Singapore’s garden landscape for quite a long time. This plant can be grown as a shrub or allowed to grow into a small tree but usually, a colony of this plant are pruned to form a hedge that has been sheared to various heights. For a long time, I have never taken notice of Mickey Mouse plant as it appeared to me as a rather boring foliage shrub most of the time. The mature foliage of this plant is dark green and slightly glossy while newly formed leaves taken on a coppery colour tone.

My opinion of this plant took a turn recently when I saw it in flower and that took place when I was on my way to work. There was a hedge of Mickey Mouse plants which were used to line the metal railing near the entrance to HortPark’s Floral Walk and those plants were adorned with numerous bright yellow flowers. Each flower has five petals and a clump of stamens positioned in the center. Some sources cited that the flowers are fragrant but I did not notice any scent at close proximity when I snapped pictures posted on this blog. The Mickey Mouse plant seems to have a seasonal blooming habit as it is seldom in bloom most of the time.

A plant that is native to southeastern Africa, the Mickey Mouse plant is botanically known as Ochna kirkii and is a member of  a rather obscure plant family, Ochnaceae. Its is sometimes referred to via another synonymous botanical name, O. thomasiana. Ochna is Greek for the wild pear (a species of Pyrus) because leaves of this plant resemble those of the pear tree. The specific epithet kirkii was given in honour of Sir John Kirk (1832 – 1922) who was a British doctor, naturalist and diplomat. He accompanied Dr David Livingstone on this second botanical expedition to Central Africa in 1858.

This plant’s common name ‘Mickey Mouse plant’  has always raised a question mark in my mind as I failed to connect black fruits and the red sepals to Mickey Mouse’s face. The common name was reportedly derived from the appearance of its ripe fruits which is similar to the face of Disney’s Mickey Mouse, complete with a pair of black ears and a red nose. In reality, the fruits of the Mickey Mouse plant are rather small and oval in shape and they turn black  when ripe. The black berries are held erect on a waxy red base formed by the enlarged sepals.

Besides being a good hedging candidate and at times, a flowering ornamental shrub, the seeds of the Mickey Mouse plant can be pressed to yield oil that is used to dress the hair by African tribes. Other Ochna species have medicinal uses. It is said to be a source of hard, dense, durable wood and wood from other Ochna species have been used for making wheel spokes, utensil handles and engraving plates.

The Mickey Mouse plant is often planted in locations with semishade to full sun. Like most woody shrubs, one can expect it to prefer to be grown in soil that is fertile and well-draining that is also kept moist at all times. It is said to be easily transplanted and relatively easy to grow and maintain. Common pests include scales, mealybugs and thrips.

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Introducing the Musical Note Plant

Posted on September 27, 2009 | 1 Comment

I was told by a colleague that there is a ‘musical note plant’ that grows in the one of the planter beds in the Carpark Garden of HortPark. I was made to guess what the plant was and I spent much effort in trying to identify which species of plant it really was. I have to admit that I am not good with imagination. Eventually, I gave up and was eventually given the answer. This ‘musical note plant’ was, in fact, a tropical flowering shrub known as Clerodendrum incisum!

A member of the Lamiaceae family, the musical note plant is botanically known as Clerodendrum incisum. It may also be known via various synonyms which include Clerodendrum macrosiphon and Clerodendrum incisum var. macrosiphon. Other common names of this plant include the morning kiss and witches’ tongue. How this plant earned its infamous name was due to the the shape of its flower buds. Each flower bud consists of a long and slender tube that ends with a flattened, oval-shaped club.

Botanical musical notes produced by Clerodendrum incisum seldom appear alone. The white coloured flower buds appear in an upright fashion in large numbers borne as a cluster. The club portion of the musical note splits to reveal an attractive flower that resembles a small white butterfly together with several red, thin and extremely long, yet, curly proboscis-like stamens.

This plant is a prolific bloomer if it is well-grown and allowed to grow as flowers are produced at the growing tips. The flowers, unfortunately, do not emit a fragrance and are rather short-lived, lasting at most for two days. The floral show will be cut short if heaven decides to pour and opened flowers will be washed off the plant, creating a white carpet of flowers which can be a chore to clear away.

A native of Africa, Clerodendrum incisum grows as a medium shrub with lanceoate, green leaves. It can be grown closely to form a short hedge or in small groupings in a flower/planter bed or even as a single specimen plant in the ground or containers! It is reported to be a fast-grower that prefers to be grown in well-draining, moist soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter. Fertilise plants monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Clerodendrum incisum is a highly versatile flowering shrub that can be planted in areas with full sun to partial shade and what’s more, it can tolerate short periods of drought once it is established in the garden.

In Singapore, Clerodendrum incisum is largely an evergreen shrub that is occasionally bothered by sucking insect pests such as whiteflies, mealybugs and aphids. Older specimens may also be affected by galls and cankers. Try to grow plants in a well-lit and ventilated space to reduce the likelihood of unappealing leaf spot disease. Propagate Clerodendrum incisum via herbaceous stem cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings.

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Keneric’s Post on Ipomoea lobata

Posted on September 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

My colleague, Keneric Ng, wrote and disseminated yet another article on an interesting flowering vine which he grew from seeds given to him by a friend. Read on and enjoy!

Any warm colours one could possibly imagine, one would be able to find it on the flowers of Ipomoea lobata (syn. Mina lobata), commonly known as the Firecracker Vine or Spanish Flag. It is impossible not to feel the warmth just by looking at this highly ornamental plant from the Morning Glory family (Convolvulaceae). With no typical funnel-shaped corolla, one might not be able to associate this with the Morning Glory family right away but indeed it is, and that is the thrill in the discovery.

Often mistaken as an annual, this fast-growing, sun-loving vine can however be cultivated as a tender perennial in the tropics. Since it is very easily propagated by seeds, one can choose to grow new batch of plants once every few months to keep up the vigor. The young plant starts branching vigorously within 2 to 3 weeks after germination, so pinching is not required to obtain a well spread specimen. By the 5th week, the plant would have covered the support with its numerous trilobed leaves and reddish vines. But do not be alarmed if the plant is not ready to give you flowers just yet. Be patient, and just when you are bored of seeing those leaves/vines…many tiny little spikes (inflorescences) start emerging. And before you know it, the plant is on fire!

On close observation, along with some imagination, each individual inflorescence resembles a skewer. Strange that it has never been commonly known as the Skewer Plant or Skewer-on-the-Grill Plant? Those would have been interesting names to call them.

So, if you want to feel the (oil-free, nectar-rich) sizzle, do pop by the patio of the Lifestyle Corner at HortPark. The plant will be on display there. Catch it while it is sizzling HOT!

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Gustavia superba – A tropical beauty

Posted on September 11, 2009 | 4 Comments

I was recently introduced to a tree called Gustavia superba by a colleague. The specimen that he showed me was a relatively young specimen and was in flower. The blossoms each measures about 10 cm across. Petals are pinkish in colour and in the center of each flower, there is a dense ring pink coloured stamens that are each tipped in gold.

The flowers of this tree reminded me of the tropical equivalent of peonies because I received a Chinese New Year greeting card before which featured the flowers of this tree. Although Gustavia superba is well-adapted to the climate of Singapore, it does not flower readily. This tree, which belongs to a rather obscure family of plants, Lecythidaceae, will do best in a location with well-draining soil and exposed to full sunlight. One can see several mature trees in Malcolm Road Park in Singapore.

Commonly called embrillo, sachamango and the heaven lotus, Gustavia superba is native to tropical lowlands from Ecuador to Panama and Venezuela. It is a medium-sized tree that can attain a height of 5 to 10 m and has a relatively straight trunk. It usually adopts an unbranched growth habit according to various sources and features a cluster of leaves at the growing tip which makes the tree look like a palm. In larger and more mature trees, a few large branches can sometimes be seen and each will bear a cluster of leaves at the end. The leaves of this tree are lanceolate in shape and have toothed margins. When they first appear, they take on an attractive, coppery colour before they turn green when they approach maturity.

After the flowers fade, fruits that are round or pear-shaped with a hard rind form. Take a look at this blog post to see how the fruits look like. From the same blog, the fruits were reportedly said to be edible and inside contained one to four large smooth seeds surrounded by a yellowish orange pulp that is rich in vitamins A, B, and C. In its native habitat, it is said that agoutis (rodent species that inhabit areas of Central America, the West Indies and northern South America) forage for the fallen ripe fruits where they consume the seeds but may also bury some for later use. Those that were buried but forgotten will then have a chance to grow into new plants. As such, these rodents also help to disperse the seeds of this beautiful tree.

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