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David Tng botany Tumblr- Sizing up the Syzygiums - some shockingly similar satinashesSizing up the Syzygiums – some...Sizing up the Syzygiums - some shockingly similar satinashesSizing up the Syzygiums – some shockingly similar satinashesSome time back, I wrote a post on Sizing up the Syzygiums as a general guide to “leaf whispering” this large group of very similar looking species commonly called lillipies or satinashes.After being able to look for certain spot characteris […]
- Rhysotoechia robertsonii (Sapindaceae)Orange and green makes for a stark an arresting contrast in a...Rhysotoechia robertsonii (Sapindaceae)Orange and green makes for a stark an arresting contrast in a rainforest, and that is what would likely compel an inquisitive nature lover to walk up and inspect closer.On closer inspection, one finds the gorgeous shiny black “eyes” that are the exposed seeds “looking” back. It is all part of the seductive maneuvers of t […]
- Dipodium ensifolium (Orchidaceae)Few plants enliven a savanna as much as a glorious blossom of...Dipodium ensifolium (Orchidaceae)Few plants enliven a savanna as much as a glorious blossom of orchids.This is definitely the case with the Leafy Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium ensifolium).The blossoms are showy, and bear a structural resemblance to a hyacinth, with up to 20 pink to mauve flowers with purplish blotches and spotsThis attractive terrestrial species […]
- Sizing up the Syzygiums - some shockingly similar satinashesSizing up the Syzygiums – some...
Category Archives: Lifeform – Epiphytes
Sarcochilus serrulatus (Orchidaceae)
I wish there were adequate words to describe the ecstasy of meeting an orchid but there is none. I shall tell a story instead. I was taking a leak as guys always need to do in the bush and there … Continue reading
Timonius singularis (Rubiaceae)
Epiphytic habit. Imagine a Gardenia masquerading as a fig and you’ll get a mental picture of what Timonius singularis represents. This rainforest plant is found at mid altitudes to upland areas and is known as the False Fig. The epiphytic … Continue reading
Dendrobium tetragonum (Orchidaceae)
Aptly named the Rectangular-bulbed Dendrobium, this Dendrobium has angular bulbs which makes it recognizable instantly. Ornamental in flower? Undoubtedly. I am drooling to see some. Until then…
Dendrobium nobile (Orchidaceae)
It is always a delight to see orchids planted on wayside trees. In particular, the Noble Dendrobium never fails to catch attention. Noble and farsighted are those who planted them on wayside trees for all to enjoy. There is a … Continue reading
Dendrobium smillieae (Orchidaceae)
Smilliae the ‘purple-nosed’ orchid, had a very purple nose And if you ever saw it, You’d surely say it glows. Just like most many orchids, flowers are certainly most helpful in identification. The structure of the inflorescence of this species … Continue reading
Dendrobium agrostophyllum (Orchidaceae)
A slender epiphytic orchid with dark reddish furrowed pseudobulbs which are thicker in the centre. As with most of the orchids I’ve seen in Far North Queensland, I found this one on a fallen branch. In this case it was … Continue reading
Psilotum nudum (Psilotaceae)
Any self-respecting writer of botany textbooks would include in their text this humble Whisk Fern, for it is a model species for understanding what ferns are and the nature of their spores. Also, because of their very basal position in … Continue reading
Pyrrosia rupestris (Rock Felt Fern) (Polypodiaceae)
Details of sori on frond underside
Ficus destruens (Rusty Fig) (Moraceae)
An beautiful fig which certainly has ornamental value because of the rusty-backed leaves and neat appearance. It is a strangling fig and typically starts life off as an epiphyte on other trees The figs ripen orange or red and were … Continue reading
Ophioderma pendula (Old World Adders Tongue) (Ophioglossaceae)
The long lacy and shiny fronds of this fern makes it unmistakable. This fern is a wonderful hanging epiphyte that is commonly seen growing out of other basket-forming epiphytes such as Nephrolepis acutifolia or Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.). So in … Continue reading
