Sequence 4 - grass cutting on plains and open spaces

Plains and open spaces areas on both sides of the stream at it meanders through Zone F

Zone F

 Retaining much of the original topography, the park is well served by a stream that meanders through the land for about 500 meters long.  The plains and open spaces on both sides of the stream needs to be regularly cut for many reasons and can be done once a month.  Once the grasses are neatly trimmed, the areas afford a 'park-like' view of the landscape making walking in the park and along the stream a pleasant experience.
Below are more pictures at various zones showing the plains and open spaces areas.

Zone F

Zone F

Zone F

Zone F

Zone E

Zone B

Landscape photography at the park (Pt.4)

Provinsi Rumbia

The feather-like leaves of the Sago Palm or Rumbia (Malay) are seen next to the oil palm leaves at middle of the picture.
There are lots of grass reserves at the provinsi  to act as breeding grounds for the Kruak (White-breasted waterhen)

 The sago palm ( Metroxylon sagu) is also called Rumbia in Malay.  I have named a small plain area at Zone F as Provinsi Rumbia because the intention is to cultivate some sago palms here for posterity.  Sago is a palm of great economic importance to many people in Borneo.  I know the Penans who live a nomadic life style in Sarawak depend greatly on sago starch as a staple diet.   In Bintulu, sago processing was a time-honoured occupation among the young men in the 40's to 50's. Sago is cooked into pellets, puddings, biscuits etc..Many people love the grubs that are found in the rotting trunks or pitch after being felled.  These grubs are actually the larvae of beetles.  It is interesting to note that the large sucker roots of the sago palm creep for some distance before turning upwards and produce another tree.  The sago palm has a clumping habit.  The leaves are armed with slender spines.

View of Provinsi Rumbia, looking west
Location : Zone F

Young leaves of the Sago has a soft maroon colour.

View of Provinsi Rumbia, looking south
Location : Zone F

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 Rattan (Part 6)

Partial view of Botanic Island Two, looking north
Location : Provinsi Rattan, Zone E

Botanic Island Two, showing rattan
trailing at the center.

 Of all the Provinsi or Plain areas, the Provinsi Rattan is the most wild in nature.  This is because in the Provinsi are located two Botanic Islands viz Botanic Island Two and Three.  At the Botanic Islands are preserved many forest trees for posterity.   At the inset is a view of Botanic Island Two , looking south.  Both Botanic Islands have rattan growing naturally in them, besides original jungle trees, unique palms, lianas and forest climbers. Presently there is one wild Rambutan tree that is fruiting profusely.  Seen also is a wild forest climber belonging to the Bauhinia species that is flowering in orange glory.  Below are more pictures of the attractions at Provinsi Rattan .....

Provinsi Rattan - home for rattan collection -  7 rattan species are available on site

Botanic Island Two - showing lianas and climbing rattan, at center

Stream at Provisi Rattan
Location : Botanic Island Three

The big tree at center is the wild Rambutan tree
Location : Provinsi Rattan, between Botanic Island Two and Botanic Island Three

Wild rambutan fruits

Colourful Bauhinia spp. climber growing wild over the forest canopy
Location : Botanic Island Two, Zone E

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

In Plain Sight - Provinsi Borneo (Part 4)

Provinsi Borneo, view looking south
The tree at left is Duiran and at right behind the oil palm is the Jering tree.

View looking north

 The Provinsi Borneo is about the size of three tennis courts.  The stream runs through the middle of the provinsi.  It is called Provinsi Borneo, after the palm origin of this third largest island in the world.  According to folklore, the coconut fruits named 'Buah Nyiur' in Malay were to be seen everywhere along the coasts of the huge island that explorers and travelers associate the island with the coconut fruits.  Many Europeans not adapt at talking the perfect Malay clumsily spoke of the island as 'Borneo' - from the Malay word 'Buah Nyiur'.  There are many interesting fruit trees that were original to the area such durians, Cemepdak, Ong Lumok, Jering, etc.  Many more coconut trees will be planted at the area in future.  Below are many views of the provinsi....

View looking north

View looking east
Young coconut trees planted at right. The Durian tree is seen at the center with broad leaves.

View looking west

In Plain Sight - Provinsi Manila (Part 3)

Provinsi Manila, view looking east

 The main attraction at Provinsi Manila will be the Water lily pond.  Works on digging up the pond has started.  There is already a rich vegetation of small trees and shrubs at the provinsi.  Additonal planting has started to enhance the area with more colours. The Manila palms have just been planted.  This pond area is visited daily by dragonflies of various species.  Birds especially the bulbuls are regularly checking out the red juicy seeds of the Shrubby Dillenia that form part of the natural landscaping of the pond.  A few fruit trees will be planted to attract more birds there.  Below are more views of the provinsi....

View looking south-east

Waterlily pond in the making, view looking east

Waterlily pond in the making, view looking south-west

Provinsi Manila, view looking south-west
In the far background partly seen  is the Provinsi Carpentaria

In Plain Sight - Provinsi Lakka (Part 2)

View of Provinsi Lakka, looking south
In the foreground is the Pong-Pong tree
Location : Zone F

Apple-like fruits of the Pong-Pong

 Provinsi Lakka is located at Zone F.  So far there are three clumps of the Sealing-wax palm planted at the area.  It is interesting to note that from two of the clumps I have obtained many plantlets by just removing or separating them from the mother tree.  Two varieties of the Sealing-wax palm are available on site.  One has deep orange leaf sheath while the other is in bright red.  There are other side attractions at the Provinsi Lakka.  A Pong-Pong tree nearby is attractive for its daily flowers and fruits that look like apples.  Other flowering shrubs and herbs planted includes the hibiscus, heliconias, scented pandanus (Pandanus amaryllifolius), variegated Bunga Cina (Gardenia jasminoides) etc.

Many names are given to this attractive palm e.g. Lipstick Palm, Pinang Raja, Sealing-wax palm
Botanic name : Cyrtostachys renda
Syn: Cyrtostachys lakka

 The Sealing-wax palm is a very attractive ornamental tree that should be used more generously in our Malaysian garden or Laman Kambatik.  More Sealing-wax palm will be added to the Provinsi Lakka gradually.

A variegated form of the Gardenia jasminoides

Bunga Raya (Malay) - national flower of Malaysia - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis