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)

VINES

This is the first post in 2014 for me and here I am writing about climbing vines.

The first set of photos of the Scarlet Vine (Scientific Name: Mucuna bennettii) is about 3 months from the last post on the same plant in Oct 13. However, this time round, I would say the inflorescences are bigger and bolder! There are so many more clusters of the orange crescent-shaped flowers.

In the second set of photos is the Elephant Climber (Scientific Name: Argyreia nervosa; Family: Convolvulaceae) with purple flowers that remind one of the Morning Glory and large heart-shaped leaves. Although it is from the same Family, there are obvious differences such as the prominent white sepals and the white furry underside of the leaves in the former. I love the texture of the leaves and the feel of the underside is really nice, to say the least. But this climber tends to attract some pests such as mealy bugs that cause the leaves to crinkle up. It also attracts the large Carpenter Bees which thankfully don't sting people.

Purple flower with white sepals

Trumpet-shaped flowers resembling Morning Glory

White sepals left behind after corolla falls off

Furry underside of heart-shaped leaves

Fine hairs on the leaf and stems

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.