AUTUMN LEAF

I am so glad that I am posting again after such a long break.

This was from some time ago too. It was the Autumn Leaf butterfly season then and caterpillars were everywhere on the host plant Pseuderanthemum reticulatum.

an empty pupa case

a pupa waiting to eclose soon

the adult butterfly

a caterpillar that left its old moult behind

VISITOR'S CENTRE

The landscape at the Visitor's Centre and some parts of the gardens is slowly shaping out in the way I wanted it to be. Although it is still not complete, but I am at least comforted by the mass flowers and butterflies drawn to the areas.


It should look better over time but is it good enough for this interim garden, I wonder?


Some lovely plants featured here are the following:

• Impatiens walleriana (naturalized form)
• Pseuderanthemum andersonii
• Strobilanthes dyerianus

NURSERY

I was collecting plants and suddenly saw caterpillars of the Autumn Leaf butterfly on the variegated Asystasia groundcover. I have often seen this butterflies' caterpillars on Pseuderanthemum and Graptophyllum shrubs but this is the first time I am seeing it on this particular cultivar. So it seems it has adapted to feed on this plant species too.

Nearby, the Phyllagathis rotundifolia beckoned me with its beautiful foliage. I simply love the textural veins, leaf shape and purplish leaf bases of this groundcover.


Then, I saw the Pleated Ink Cap Fungus (scientific name: Coprinus plicatilis) on a batch of soil. The semi-transparent umbrella-liked caps look so adorable when viewed close-up. When they occur in clusters, they look even more lovely.

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Today's weather - sunny

I was there again recently and just enjoy walking along this stretch of the timber walkway. I love the contrast between the white-leaved Dieffenbachia and the other dark green plants in the shade. To me, every plant has its place in the landscape.


There is also this interesting Ficus tree right where the taiqi group exercises every day. It has shed its leaves recently and is sprouting new coloured leaves now.


The uncommon palm Welfia regia has also flowered recently and there are numerous whisks of inflorescences and infrutescens of fruits. At the palm base is planted the variegated Pteris ensiformis, which is a fern that I love very much too but always have problems growing them.


Then there is the uncommon but native Kopsia singapurensis with Periwinkle-like white flowers with a red eye.


Along the forest edge can be seen clumps of the Pseuderanthemum andersonii although I have some doubts on its identity. The ones that I grow have broader ovate leaves rather than the narrower elliptical leaves seen here although both have similar purplish flowers. I wonder if one is the species and the other is a cultivar.


Finally as I approached the Botany Centre, there is this trellis planted with Cissus sicyoides (common name: Princess Vine). The ignorant me used to wonder why the dangling roots form a curved-shaped and have reddish tips. Now I know that the reddish ends are a result of pruning and these are the new growth.