White flushes of a jungle tree

White flushes or young leaves of a jungle tree
Botanic Island Two

 I have noticing for about four days in a row a jungle tree that exhibits white flushes or young leaves.  There are many native plants species that possess this leafing phenomena at the park, with some showing different colour flushes.  In our humid tropical rainforest environment, the greenery does not follow the predictable annual cycles like in the temperate climates with their springs  and autumns.  At the park, trees grow continuously by producing new leaves.  However for some trees, the leaf exchange can result in flush accumulation with new leaves showing contrasting colours.  Today, I checked again the jungle tree which produces white flushes at Botanic Island Two.  I see a good potential for this tree as a landscape tree for its white flushes.

The versatile and functional 'Simpoh Air'

'Simpoh Air' thickets at Pipit Wetlands in mixed planting

'Simpoh Air' thickets at Kruak Wetlands

Long shot view of 'Simpoh Air' thickets at Pipit Wetlands

'Simpoh Air' thickets at the foreground
Location: Pipit Wetlands

The 'Simpoh Air' or Shrubby dillenia (Dillenia suffructicosa) is grown here in mass planting scheme or thickets.  It has characteristic broad leaves and prodices fruits much-liked by the Sambar deer.  Thus the shrub  is purposely planted to attract the coming of Sambar deers to the park especially during and a few days after every full moon of the month.  They provide cover for many other animals especially those grown near wetlands e.g. monitor lizards, civet cats, squirrels and nesting grounds for birds.  Many insects are attracted to its flowers and birds to its juicy red seeds.  The 'Simpoh Air' grows well on wet grounds as well as dry areas and thus is a versatile and no-maintenance plant.  Grown as thickets, they reduce much maintenance work e.g. grass cutting and thus minimise costs of care of the park yet attract a  diversity of wildlife.  Young leaves of the 'Simpoh Air' can be eaten as salad and older leaves are used as natural wrappers for food.  In other parts of Sarawak, the long straight stems of the plant are used for pepper posts.

A Sea Grape tree in the park

In the foreground is the Sea Grape tree (Coccoloba uvifera )
Family : Polygonaceae - Polygonum family
This picture taken when the stream overflowed due to flash floods.

 It is normally grown along the coasts but I managed to grow one tree for posterity at the park.  The seedling originated from the Pantai Ria foodstalls area in Bintulu town where it was planted in the 1980's.  Not many people in Bintulu take note of this tree.  The Samling group that took over the state land where the stalls were located had flattened the foodstalls area and  is yet to be known whether any original Sea Grape trees were saved by its land clearing and building demolishing contractor.  Fortunately, I took one seedling from the area in 2009 and propagated it at the park.  The fruits of the tree are like grapes and edible, thus the name Sea Grape.  It is a small tree with attractive large rounded leaves that offer contrast in texture, form and colour to the overall landscape.  I  love the red flushes and I observed here that these red flushes or young leaves last for weeks.  To see how the fruits look like please go to my other blog here

Coccoloba uvifera planted for posterity
Location : Zone C

Blood Banana

Blood Banana - Musa acuminata
Family : Musaceae - Banana family

 Note: The cluster of flowers is hidden by large overlapping bracts.  Birds are attracted to the flowers.

Blood Banana
Zone C

This is a banana species that is excellent for an ornamental planting for its bronze to red variegated leaves and medium-sized trunks.   My experience is that it needs semi-shade to grow well.  Many birds are attracted to its flowers.  More of such species can be planted at certain locations in the park in the future.

A focussed 30 minutes with nature

On the forest floor this climber is a duo-colour named Bauhinia semibifida.

 Early in the day before I start any work in the park, I would take a brief 30 minutes walk to catch up with nature and what it has got to offer.  The best time would be between 6.30 -7.00 am.  Everyday is a surprise.  Every day nature is full of offerings.  Everyday is a lesson learnt in nature discovery.  Walking through the Botanic Island One I felt a sudden change in temperature because of the tall trees that over-top the place have filtered the early morning light.  The air on the forest floor was very cool and fresh and breathing became inspirational due to the smell of fresh leaves, fragrant flowers and tons of pure oxygen.  Your spirits get rejuvenated for very brief seconds but then that's probably what you need to kick start the day.  Nearby Botanic Island Two, I noticed some commotion and heard bubbling sounds above.  The Yellow-vented Bulbuls were having a field day catching bees at the canopy of jungle trees.  We can't easily see their prey with naked eyes from ground zero  but often I see bee-eaters and bulbuls getting excited in the air above when chasing and catching the bees that normally come drifting in swarms  brought by a slight breeze or strong wind. Looking up again at the tree canopy, I was pleased to see the mild red flushes of a jungle tree.  It made me wonder - why not make it into a landscaping tree candidate?  Just like the Bauhinia semibifida climber that are well-preserved at the park.  They start as jungle species but can adopt themselves to urban environment to enrich and colour our homes, towns and parks.  There's so much to live and love nature every day in our lives.  Try walking in a park.

Bauhinia semibifida growing healthy at Botanic Island One

Bulbuls having rest perching and getting ready for the next sortie ..

Bubul with a bee at its beak

Mild red flushes of a jungle tree

Green Green Grass of Home...

Heralding a cloudy day and probably rain ...

Landscape photography at the park (Pt.10)

Undoubtedly it is the Pandanus dubius

Pandanus dubius grows well in full sun, but does fine too in semi-shade location
Location : Zone C

 This plant is easy to propagate and plant.  It is vigorous and can stand rough handling.  It produce many plantlets which can be separated from the mother plant.  What I like about this plant is its glossy green leaves.  The leaves have tiny spines on its margins and are arranged in a tight spiral formation.  There is another species of the pandan that is used widely in the Malay cooking called 'Pandan' (Panadanus amaryllifolius) which are already planted in massive numbers at the park.  I guess I'll need to use more of the Pandanus dubius now in landscaping the park as I can raise them in quantities cheaply.

Pandanus dubius
Syn : Pandanus pacificus
Family : Pandanaceae - Pandan family
Location : Zone C

Landscape photography at the park (Pt.8)

Landscape photography at the park (Pt.7)

All images taken on 21 Jul'14

Pendulous red jewels

The Dracaena surculosa shrub is  comfortable in all sorts of light conditions.
Location : Zone C

 There many introduced as well as native plants in the park.  Two species that attract me today are the Dracaena surculosa and another  small jungle tree species which I am still unable to reference.  Both have brightly coloured red fruits that are like jewels in the park.  The dracaena is a hardy plant that can be grown in indoor conditions.  It is easily propagated by cuttings.   The other plant that grows naturally produce very exotic strings of red fruits creating rich contrast to the greenery of the Botanic Island.  Both  plants produce their lovely red fruits all year round.  They are to me red jewels of the park. 

The dracaena leaves are spot-variegated and come in green or yellow- cream form.

Long string of red fruits of a jungle species
Location : Botanic Island Two.

Jungle tree species, a native of the park...
Location : Botanic Island Two

More views of the Provinsi Carpentaria

View looking east

View looking north

 This plain area, called Provinsi Carpentaria sounds international.  'Provinsi' comes from the Indonesia word to mean province.  Carpentaria is a place in Australia where at its bay are to be found many Carpentaria palms.  At the inset is seen healthy growing Carpentaria palms.  This palm is the main palm species planted at this provinsi. Other palm species planted in this location is the Coconut palm which are planted along the stream.   The Carpentaria palms are planted in boulevard-style planting.  The whole plain areas at the park is turned into a big palm collection.  To see other tropical palms suitable for the Kambatik garden, check them out in my blog here ...>>>http://alltheplants3.blogspot.com/search/label/Palm

View looking south-west
Note the healthy growing Carpentaria palm at left of picture.

View looking east

In Plain Sight - Provinsi Lady Palm (Part 5)

Provinsi Lady Palm, view looking west

Slender-stemmed palm -
Rhapis excelsa

 The Provinsi Lady Palm is named after the slender-stemmed palm with thick clustering habit.  The Rhapis excelsa grows naturally as an undergrowth palm but is now a popular palm for gardens and parks.  Its leaves are very useful for floral art.  Many nurseries sell them in big pots as ornamentals.  Today there are dwarf varieties of the Lady Palm. As part of the Kambatik garden concept it is advisable to plant the Lady Palm with heliconias.  Having them within arm's length and readily available in our garden will certainly assist us in creative floral art. Below are more pictures of the provinsi Lady Palm....

The heart of Heliconia Valley is located at Provinsi Lady Palm
Location : Zone C, looking north

View looking south

View looking south
Location : Zone D

View looking south