Showing posts with label Blechnum orientale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blechnum orientale. Show all posts

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Hot ferns for floral art

Floral arrangement usinf the 'Paku Kelindang' fiddlehead

 One of the most sought-after ferns for the floral arrangement is the 'Rabbit's Foot' fern (Davallia denticulata) that grows naturally and profusely at the park, often hugging to the leaf bases of the cut oil palm fronds. But many other types of ferns are also suitable candidates for the floral art.  Over the years I have experimented with many ways how the ferns can be used creatively.  In the above picture I have used the broad and thick fiddlehead of the Paku Kelindang (Blechnum orientale) as part of a Kambatik-style floral arrangement.  It is very much left to one's imagination and experimentation on the use of tropical plants for the floral arrangement.  You can checkout my blog dedicated to floral arrangements here..>>. http://dailycutflowers.blogspot.com/

A lace-like fern and a fiddlehead are used as part of the Kambatik-style floral art as shown above.
 In this post I have attempted to show the the beauty of ferns for the floral art.  This is in comparison to earlier posts that emphasize the many types of ferns according to their habits - terrestrial, epiphytic and aquatic; and their uses for for traditional medicine, food and landscaping purposes.  Ferns indeed are intriguing and have one of the most beautiful plant shapes in the uncurling of the fiddlehead of the fern fronds.  It is my hope that more types of ferns will be added to the fernery at the park.  Meanwhile a walk along the trail will do to appreciate the range of ferns available for study, enjoyment and pleasure.



Thursday, May 22, 2014

Hot on heels on ferny trail (Part 5)

Paku Kelindang (Iban) - Blechnum oreintale
Location : Zone I

Fiddlehead of the Paku Kelindang
 The Paku Kelindang, which is Iban for the Blechnum orientale fern can be seen throughout the park.  It can grow tall to about 2 meters high.  At the inset is the fiddlehead of the Paku Kelindang, which will grow into the fern leaves or fronds.  For the natives of Sarawak the young fronds are consumed as vegetables.  What is more interesting is the practice of the Berawans here who pound these young fronds into a paste and then apply them to the skin that is affected by boils or 'Bisul' in Malay.  It is said to help out in fast recovery of the boil because it assist in  the removal of the pus.  The size of the fern and height makes it a good candidate for landscaping especially natural landscaping style.
Paku Kelindang fiddleheads at different stages of growth.

Young frond of Paku Kelindang

Paku Kelindang
Location : Zone I