MOLINERA CAPITULATA

This is a shade loving plant that looks like a palm or a monocot but is not a true palm. From the Liliaceae or Hypoxidaceae Family and known by the common names Palm Grass or Weevil Lily, it also goes by the other more recognizable synonym Curculigo capitulata.

The shade tolerant plant is used in landscaping primarily for its palm-like leaves and less for its small inconspicuous flowers. These photos taken at Labrador Nature Reserve's entrance roundabout had its flowers crawling with small snails.

Links on the plants are shown here:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molineria_capitulata
2. http://floreznursery.blogspot.com/2009/04/molineria-capitulata-syn-curculigo.html
3. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200028039
4. http://www.natureproducts.net/Forest_Products/Ornamentals/Curculigo.html

NATIVE GARDEN

The Native Garden is maturing very well and I just love to walk into the garden and admire its beauty. You can tell how much I love this garden by the number of photos I attached in this post.

The Ardisia elliptica sprouted new leaves and the fruits of the Ficus deltoidea were interesting with the reddish tip.

The water feature is definitely one of my favourites. The light reflection in the water was beautiful. The Alstonia spatulata was grown at the water edge and interestingly, it was doing very well as evident from the new leaf flushes. Before this, I didn't know of any Alstonia that can take wet feet.

The Curculigo capitulata also sent out small yellow flowers at its base. The Crinum asiaticum also produced clusters of beautiful pure white flowers.

I believe that in time to come, this garden would be more and more interesting and beautiful. As it is, it was already attracting some butterflies, dragonflies and birds to this area.