Posts archive for: 8 November, 2009
  • Plant ID 4 - Spathoglottis Plicata

    The Common Spathoglottis (Spathoglottis Plicata) belongs to the orchid family. This beautiful orchid is one of the toughest 'weeds' in Singapore. The pleated, elliptic leaves ranged from less than 30cm long to about 1m in length, arising from the bulb-like fleshy stems called pseudobulbs. The flowering shoot varies from 20cm to 1.5m in height, bearing flowers with sepals & petals ranging from white to dark rosy-purple. Some forms are self-pollinating & can reproduce by itself (weeds).

    A traditional use of the plant's large leaves has been for wrapping parcels, & accordin to Oang Asli folklore, a decoction of the plant can be used for rheumatism.

    It can be a ground cover or grown for ornamental purposes. However, it is prone to scale insect attack .

    Pictures can be seen here http://www.natureloveyou.sg/Spathoglottis%20plicata/Main.html

  • Plant ID 3 - Cycas Rumphii

    The Malayan Fern Palm (Cycas Rumphii) grows to about 10m in height with leaves up to 2m in length. They can be Male or Female. Instead of flowers, cones grow at the trunk tips. Cones are compactly & regularly arranged on the male, but loosely arranged on the female plant. Both exude a musky scent to attract insect pollinators.

    The seeds, the size of a hen's egg are dark shiny green when ripe and are poisonous. Soaking the seeds in water for a few days, changing the water frequently durin the proccess can leach out the poison (a toxic glucoside), for then a flour can be prepared from the seeds.

    The Malays are said to eat the fiddleheads & also a kind of sago-like flour made from the trunks. Other parts of the plant have traditional medicinal applications.

    pictures can be seen here. http://www.natureloveyou.sg/Cycas%20rumphii/Main.html
    Very nicely taken pics.

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