Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Vitex vestita: A Rare Glimpse in the Shadow of Giants in MacRitchie Forest

While Vitex pinnata is a familiar tree found almost everywhere in Singapore, and even lend its vernacular name to Jalan Leban (off Thomson Road), her little sister Vitex vestita is exceptionally rare, occurring primarily in the shadow of our Dipterocarp giants in MacRitchie forest.
Here is a rare glimpse for you! : )




Beautiful MacRitchie Forest


Leaflets dancing with the occasional sunbeam


Inflorescences


Zygomorphic flower

Fruits turning from green to yellow to red

Hairs on the underside of leaflets


Smooth scaly bark

Monday, April 18, 2016

Helicia petiolatus: A Rare Gem in MacRitchie Forest

A Day with Helicia petiolatus


Darkness robs the canopy of its depth
And the sharp edge gleans a silhouette
With telling tails of tales
That shines a light on suggested eons
Marching past the continental drift
Moved me to this spot
Afoot
A point of Biogeography
A wink through window chink
so fast changed O Protea




Understorey view


Tantalizing tail of tales


Anthesis defined


A young inflorescence at last! Proteaceae!


Leaves turning a yellow clue.


Long leaf stalks - petioles - with swollen ends.


Smooth lenticellated bark.


Leaves dead but telling... turning silvery brown above but dark brown below.