The wild and ever flowering pioneer species

A pioneering plant species that is seen everywhere at the park in newly opened areas.
Location : Zone I

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The 'Senduduk' (Malay) or Melastoma malabthricum is a wild plant that produces purple flowers. Here the plant is being helped out in its pioneering ways by the Yellow-vented Bulbul that love its ripe fruits.  Ants and many other insects are attracted to its sweet tasting fruits.

CU of the Senduduk flower

( Note: It took me 3 hours to upload this picture due to the extremely poor internet connection provided by Celcom company in Bintulu.  But what the heck, passion is more important, even though it means too tons of patience)

Garden flowers in close-ups

Cat's whiskers (Orthisphon aristatus)
Family : Labiatae - Mint family

Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum
Family : Melastomaceae - Melastoma family

Red Ginger - Alpinia purpurata
Family : Zingiberaceae - Ginger family

Highlights today at the park

Male Little Green Pigeon - Punai Daun (Teron olax)

Little Green Pigeon - male of the species (Teron olax)

View from Zone I

Heliconia psittacorum - Golden Torch

Melastoma malabathricum - Senduduk (Malay)

Dwarf Senduduk producing first flower

Purple flower of the Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum
This is a dwarf species.

Senduduk (Malay) - Melasoma malabathricum
Family : Melastomataceae - Melastoma family.
Location : Butterfly Garden, Zone C.

Today the Melastoma malabathricum hybrid that I planted a couple of weeks ago have produced its first flower. The flower has five petals in deep purple colours.  The leaves are typical of the Melastoma family with five veins running up the leaf from its base.  This is a dwarf variety and I was told by the vendor in Kuching that it was obtained from a nursery in Thailand.  I have planted it at the Butterfly Garden.