GARDENS BY THE BAY

Kopsia fruticosa

the fruits of this unknown climber look like bats!

the Russelia looks fantastic!

heron hidden amongst the plants

side view of floral clock

black-leaved Canna and Carphalea

Podranea ricasoliana (Pink Trumpet Vine)

PINK FLOWER CLIMBER

The recent drought was just the right trigger to bring on the onslaught of flowering in lots of species, including this unknown leguminous climber.

the pendulous pink flowers

ARISTOLOCHIA GRANDIFLORA

I am so glad I planted this weird yet spectacular alien-looking flowering plant at the Web of Life. I think I said it before that the fully opened flower, which is as large as a face, has a intensely black center that reminds me of a black hole in space. It emits a rotten smell that attracts flies which are the pollinators of this amazing climber. I always imagine that if one peers too closely at the flower, it would engulf the face of the observer like the young face-clasping aliens from the Aliens movies. 

MOMORDICA AND CAYRATIA

Throughout the Heritage Gardens and World of Plants are countless arched trellises planted with a wide range of climbers. At the Fruits and Flowers garden are some of most interesting climbers, such as these Momordica cochinchinensis (Common Name: Gac Fruit, Spiny Bitter Gourd; Family: Cucurbitaceae) and a grape-like vine Cayratia mollissima (Synonym: Vitis mollissima; Family: Vitaceae)

In Vietnam, the edible Gac Fruit has red aril and is usually served at ceremonial or festive occasions such as weddings. The Cayratia with small white flowers and artificial looking pink fruits look so sweet although I have no idea if they are edible.

NB on 3 Jan 14: I corrected the mislabeled name Cissus to Cayratia. They are both from the same botanical Family.

ORANGE

The climber Passiflora growing on the Fruits and Flowers trellis have been fruiting for some time now.

Then there is the orange-flower bare crown Firmiana malayana (Common Name: Bullock's Eye, Mata Lembu; Family: Sterculiaceae) tree at the courtyard of the Indian Garden. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to go back to take the fully opened flowers.

BEAUTIFUL PLANTS

These are some of the beautiful plants, which range from weeds, ferns, trees and climbers.

The first is a weed that I have seen before but am not familiar with its name. The second is the Microsorum punctatum with amazingly artistic leaves with prominent midribs. The third is an interesting Macaranga with red inflorescences and flowers. The last two are the climbers Aristolochia with trumpet-shaped flowers and an unknown ivy-like plant with strange knobby extensions which help the plant to attach itself to the smooth surface wall.

They are all beautiful in their own way. Such is nature's art.

NB on 28 Jan 13: I found out that the unknown creeper is Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Common Name: Japanese Ivy, Grape Ivy, Boston Ivy; Family: Vitaceae) from the grape family.