Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sungei Buloh and Botanic Gardens on 17 Dec

Went to Sungei Buloh in the morning with july, ruixiang, yushang and remus last thursday. It was raining quite heavily so we waited for the rain to stop. We didn't see any otters or crocodiles but saw 2 monitor lizards. I didn't really take a lot of pictures because i was too lazy. Haha. These were taken on the kranji trail when walking out of sungei buloh i think. 

Red flowers. Don't really know what they are. Haha.
[Leea rubra]
White flower with pinkish center.
[Kopsia singaporensis. This species is endemic to Singapore and Malaysia.]
Phyllostachys? Bamboos are the fastest growing plant on Earth. Some of the larger species known as the 'timber bamboo' are used as construction timber and for making furniture.  
This is the pagoda flower. This plant has large leaves and usually have small, bright orange-red flowers that are grown in a cluster. It has the pagoda shape that probably gives it its name. 
[Clerodendrum paniculatum]

After the walk, we went for lunch and rested a while before heading to the Botanic Gardens. Took a few pictures there but i don't think i can ID them LOL.

The very beautiful christmas tree at the entrance of the Botanic Gardens.
These are the water lily leaves at the fresh water pond. But sadly, i didnt see any flowers there. There are many small fishes in the water feeding on the algae.
Looks like daisies? I don't know haha.
This is one of the 2 Tembusu trees that can be found in the Botanic Gardens. This tree is said to be more than a century old. The picture of this tree can be found at the back of our $5 note. This is a slow growing, hardy tree and its wood is extremely durable and resistant to termite attacks.
Orange flower. Looks very familiar but don't know what it is.
[Belamcanda chinensisThis is the leopard flower. It is a kind of iris from China and is said to have medicinal uses.]
Is this also a pagoda flower? LOL.
[Ooops. This should be the peacock flower. Caesalpinia pulcherrima.] 
We saw 2 water hens walking around behind some bushes. This is one of them. 
[This is an immature water hen.]
Dunno what this is.
[This should be the Maiden's Jealousy. Tristellateia australasiae. It is named so probably because the flowers are very beautiful, hence causing many women to be jealous of them.]
The top side.
Underside. Dont know what this is also.
[Should be Excoecaria cochinchinensis.]
Oh no what is this?
Cool leaves with flowers growing in them.
[Looks like Pachystachys. Can't tell the species till the flowers are out.]
Top view of some nice leaves. Also don't know what they are. LOL.

Banana tree! Mistook it for a palm tree when i didnt see the bananas during the ubin trip. But i'll remember it forever noww. Haha.

What is this? Looks like the mangrove cannonball fruit but i dont think this is.
[This is the star apple. Chrysophyllum cainito. The fruits of this tree is edible.]
Someone intro-ing the National Orchid Garden. Haha :D

The weather is actually quite good except that it rained a bit in the morning haha. Learnt a lot of stuffs. I wonder how much of those went into my brain. LOL. And thankyou july for bringing us out. Haha (:

PS. Those in brackets are just added in. Thankyou ms wang for the IDs :D