PlantWerkz

Golden Lotus Banana - Musella Lasiocarpa

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:39:00 +0000

Bunch of Golden Lotus Banana

Common Name: Golden Lotus Banana
Scientific Name: Musella Lasiocarpa
Height: 1.5 - 1.8 m
Span: < 1m
Growth Rate: Average
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade
ABP Index: 4 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 4)

The golden lotus banana is a native of Yunnan China and grows above 2,500m. It is almost extinct in the wild but due to ornamental cultivation, it survived. It has been known to also grow in the tropics and is a hardy plant. The beauty of this plant is in it's totem structure form that focuses your attention on the golden lotus looking like flower. Green leaves could be absent, making it a very curious looking stub. In a bunch, it's like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Close Up of the Golden Lotus Banana

Golden Lotus Banana Plant

Golden Lotus Banana with Fruits

More Information on the Golden Lotus Banana:

Gardening with Wilson

Victor and Gloria

Tembusu - Fagraea Fragrans

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:12:00 +0000

Branches of the Tembusu Tree

Common Name: Tembusu
Scientific Name: Fagraea Frangrans
Height: 30 - 40 m
Span: up to 10 m
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun
ABP Index: 3 (Aesthetics 3, Solidarity 3)

The Tembusu is a native South East Asia tree. It is conical in shape but could branch erratically between tree to tree. The beauty of this tree is it's natural way of branching horizontally close to the bottom of the trunk and twist vertically upwards creating a tuning fork look. The low hanging branches are favourite spots for swings and photos. It also has a very nice dark brown and scaly bark. Symmetrical, beautiful specimens are one out of 50.

Tembusu featured in Singapore 5 Dollar Note

More than 100 year old Tembusu at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

People sitting on the Tembusu at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Conical Shaped Tembusu

Grove of Tembusu Trees

Tembusu Tree Branches

More info on Tembusu:

National Library of Singapore

The Total Vascular Flora of Singapore Online

WildSingapore.com
Flickr

Videos on Tembusu:

Xanthorrhoea Australis - Grass Tree / Black Boy

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Shaven Multi-head Xanthorrhoea Australis Black Boy

Common Name: Black Boy, Grass Tree, Bukkup or Kawee

Scientific Name: Xanthorrhoea Australis

Height: 2-4m

Span: 1-3m

Growth Rate: Slow Growing

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun

ABP Index: 4.5 (Aesthetics 4.5, Solidarity 4.5)

The Xanthorrhoea Australis or commonly known as the Black Boy is found only in Australia, a land of many unique flora and fauna. The black trunks are the result of them surviving the bush fires that frequents their semi-desert environment and creates a unique reptile looking texture. The needle like leaves, sprout like someone's hair who just got out of bed. Many people who have the black boy would trim the leaves to expose the beautiful trunk and a sprout of leaves at the top. This plant is a protected species in Australia and if bought, would need a licensed tag on it to export. A truly unique and architecturally beautiful plant.

2x Xanthorrhoea Australis Black Boys

Group of Xanthorrhoea Australis Black Boys 1

Group of Xanthorrhoea Australis Black Boys 2

Solitary Shaven Xanthorrhoea Australis Black Boy

Xanthorrhoea Australis Black Boy Flowering

More information on Xanthorrhoea Australis or Black Boy

Tasmania Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Australian Native Plants Society

Video Slides on Xanthorrhoea Australis or Black Boy:

Bismarck Palm

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:38:00 +0000

Large Bismarck Palm

Common Name: Bismarck Palm
Scientific Name: Bismarckia Nobilis
Height: 9-18 m
Span: 4-5 m
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Sun Tolerance: Shade, Full Sun
ABP Index: 4.0 (Aesthetics 4.0, Solidarity 4.0)

The Bismarck Palm is one of the most majestic palms suitable for indoors and outdoors. It's distinct silvery colored star shaped leaves are the crown of it's glory. Even as a small young plant, it looks curious with no stem but still exhibit its beautiful long branches and star shaped leaves. As it grows bigger, it just gets more majestic. Lining two rows of Bismarck Palm along a road is welcome fit for a king.

Mid-Sized Bismarck Palm

Bismarck Palm Trunk

Star-Shaped Bismarck Palm Leaves

Bismarck Leaves that Look Like Roosters

Bismarck Palm Leaves that look like a Flock of Birds

Bismarck Palms in Singapore Botanic Gardens

More Info on the Bismarck Palm:

US Forest Service
University of Florida

Video of People having Fun with the Bismarck Palm:

Papyrus Plant -Cyperus Papyrus

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:01:00 +0000

Papyrus in a Pot

Common Name: Papyrus
Scientific Name: Cyperus Papyrus
Height: 2-3 m Span: 0.5 m
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Sun Tolerance: Shade, Full Sun
ABP Index: 3.5 (Aesthetics 4.0, Solidarity 3.0)

The Papyrus was once abundant in the Nile, Egypt and used by the Egyptians to make paper as far back as 3,000 BC. This wetland sedge can grow 2-3 meter tall and can form dense populations lining water bodies.

The Papyrus grows bright green, smooth, rounded culms (flowering stems) that extends 2-3 meter and tops it with a dense, feathery cluster of stalks. Bunches of Papyrus form a cloud-like crown while a small cluster of Papyrus breaks out of the outline of the landscape with its unique structure.

Red-brown, papery scales (actually leaves) form at the base and top of the culms, below the cluster of stalks. These leaves have beautiful gradients of red-brown color to yellow and smelts into the bright green color of the culms.

An architectural must for every water feature.

Red-Brown Papery Scales (actually leaves) Below Cluster of Stalks

Red-Brown Papery Scales (actually leaves) at Base of Culms

Tiny Papyrus Shoots

Papyrus in the Wild

Papyrus in Landscape

Drawing of Papyrus

More info on the Papyrus
WIkipedia
Floridata

Ruffled Fan Palm - Licula Grandis

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:39:00 +0000

Tall Ruffled Fan Palm Group

Common Name: Ruffled Fan Palm, Vanuata Fan Palm, Ruffled Lantan Palm
Scientific Name: Licuala Grandis
Height: 3 m
Span: 1.5 m
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Sun Tolerance: Shade, Indoor
ABP Index: 3.8 (Aesthetics 4.0, Solidarity 3.5)

The Ruffled Fan Palm originated from Vanuatu, Australia. The palm has a long slender trunk which normally extends perpendicularly upwards wearing a crown of bright green leaves right at the top. The leaves contour like green 'Ruffles' potato chips and are almost round with sawtooth edges, overlapping each other gently.

The Ruffled Fan Palm thrives under shade and not so windy areas which can fray the beautiful leaves. It also produces fruits that resemble beautiful bunches of orange and red ruby beads. Excellent architecturally beautiful indoor plant

Ruffled Fan Palm Group

Ruffled Fan Palm Group

Ruffled Fan Palm Fruits

Ruffled Fan Palm Younglings (Babies)

More Information on the Ruffled Fan Palm:
Palmdoctor
Plantcare
GreencultureSG

Traveller's Palm - Ravenala Madagascarienis

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:19:00 +0000

Group of Matured Traveller's Palm at Tampines Singapore

Common Name: Traveller's Palm

Scientific Name: Ravenala Madagascarienis

Height: up to 9 - 18 m

Span: up to 6 m

Growth Rate: Normal

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade

ABP Index: 4.0 (Aesthetics 4.0, Solidarity 4.0)

The Traveller's Palm is not a true palm but a member of bird of paradise family. It's name comes from 2 distinct features. One, water is collected at the trunk of the plant (about 1 liter per branch) and a traveller can quench his thrist. Two, the plant tends to grow in a east-west direction and a traveller can use it as a compass when he's lost.

This native of Madagascar (just like the Grandidier Baobab and Madagascar Almond) is beautifully and symmetrically shaped like a Chinese fan and is made up of many paddle-shaped, banana like leaves that can stretch more than 3 m each. The petioles (leaf stems) forms the basic architecture of the plant and is evident even as a young plant without the trunk.

It is best to place the Traveller's Palm in a place without strong winds as it would tear the leaves and cause the plant to look less aesthetic. Dead branches should be cut off too and not left hanging to the trunk to enhance the beauty of this plant. One of nature's distinct and finest tropical plants.

Group of Growing Traveller's Palm

A Traveller's Palm with Young Shoots

Group of Matured Traveller's Palm

Beautiful Symmetrical Petioles (leaf stem) patterns of the Traveller's Palm

More information on the Traveller's Palm:

pdf from US Department of Agriculture

Floridata

Wikipedia

Joshua Tree - Yucca Brevifolia

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:23:00 +0000

The Joshua Tree

Common Name: Joshua Tree

Scientific Name: Yucca Brevifolia

Height: up to 15 m

Span: up to 4 m

Growth Rate: 3 inches per year fo 1st 10 years, 1.5 inches per year thereafter

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun

ABP Index: 4.0 (Aesthetics 4.0, Solidarity 4.0)

The Joshua Tree is a native of the Mohave desert in USA and thrives in the altitudes of 400-1,800 m. This tree so captivates the heart that a National Park was set aside and named after it and a music album titled 'Joshua Tree' was written by the famous band U2.

The Joshua Tree is a Yucca and looks very similiar to the Dracena Draco. What's so facinating about this tree is that every single one of them have a very unique branch structure that twists in odd but architecturally beautiful directions. Some have so many leaves and branch structure that it looks like a hairy bush while others have very little leaves and branches and look like a chinese spear. Each branch would end with a bunch of dark green bayonet-shaped leaves that look like a ball of fur from far, blurring and teasing the crown of the tree. Very iconic. Very architecturally beautiful.

Lone Joshua Tree

Crown of the Joshua Tree

Field of Joshua Trees

Joshua Tree Park Landscape

Joshua Tree Panicle (Flowers)

Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park

More information on the Joshua Tree

US National Parks

Wikipedia

Foxtail Fern - Asparagus Densiflorus Meyersii

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Foxtail Fern as Ground Cover

Common Name: Foxtail Fern
Scientific Name: Asparagus Densiflorus Meyersii
Height: up to 0.6 m
Span: up to 1.2m wide
Growth Rate: Fast
Sun Tolerance: Shade
ABP Index: 2.5 (Aesthetics 3.0, Solidarity 2.0)

The foxtail fern is not a true fern as it propagates through seeds rather than spores. This native of South Africa produce bright green foxtail like fronds that are can grow up to 2 ft (0.6m) high and up to 4 ft (1.2m) wide in span. Each frond is long, thin and made up of many rice shaped needle clusters that look like ‘colonies of mini plants’ along the frond. A field of foxtail ferns can give a soft cloud-like feel to the area as it sways to the breeze. Beautiful as ground cover, in pots and flower arrangements.

Foxtail Ferns in Pots

Foxtail Fern used in Flower Arrangements

Close-up of Foxtail Fern Leaves

Foxtail Ferns in a Plant Nursery

More information on Foxtail Fern here
Practical advise on Foxtail Fern here

Architecturally Beautiful Vertical Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:15:00 +0000

Kevin Smith's Vertical Garden

Vertical Gardens are literally gardens that grow on vertical walls. Why is it featured in PlantWerkz is because it brings out the essence of architecturally beautiful plants. It is typically made out of a metal frame, a PVC layer and a layer of felt that enables capillary action for homogenous water distribution. Other alternatives are bamboo frames that house pots of plants with a PVC watering system.

The entire architectural structure of plants growing on vertical walls mimic nature of plants growing on vertical cliffs off shorelines, waterfalls and caves. Not only it's breath-taking to look at, its thermic isolation effect helps to lower energy consumption in buildings both in winter (by protecting the building from the cold) and in summer (by providing a natural cooling system).

Vertical Garden at Caixaforum Madrid

Vertical Garden at Hotel Reception

Vertical Garden at Pershing Hall

Vertical Gardens from:
Patrick Blanc
Michael Hellgren

New Zealand Flax - Phormium Tenax

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:47:00 +0000

Rainbow Color New Zealand Flax

Common Name: New Zealand Flax

Scientific Name: Phormium Tenax

Height: up to 3 m

Span: Leaves are 2-4 inches wide

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade

ABP Index: 2.0 (Aesthetics 3.0, Solidarity 1.0)

The New Zealand Flax is an Agrave family plant that looks very much like grass. It has been used by the Maori people (local New Zealand Natives) to weave clothing, baskets, fishing nets, sandals and almost anything you can think of. They also use the sap, roots and nectar for different medicinal purposes.

The beauty of this plant comes from the multiple varieties that exude many different rainbow colors and it's razor looking sword like blades. The NZ Flax (certain species) can also grow up to 3 meters in height and look very impressive. It also have different architecturally shapes. From the upright flax shape to the arching flax shape, both have their architectural beauty. To top it off, the NZ Flax would occasionally produce heliconia like beautiful flowers that stick out up to 5 meters in height.

Pot of New Zealand Flax (Upright Flax Shape)

Field of New Zealand Flax

New Zealand Flax Flowers

New Zealand Flax Leave Tips

New Zealand Flax (Arching Flax Shape)

New Zealand Flax Red Leave Variety

Different Colors of New Zealand Flax Leaves

Different Flax varieties in architectural shapes and colors here
New Zealand Flax history and uses here

Macrozamia Moorei

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Macrozamia Moorei in Landscape

Common Name: Macrozamia Moorei

Scientific Name: Macrozamia Moorei

Height: up to 7 m

Span: up to 4 m

Growth Rate: Unknown

Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade

ABP Index: 2.0 (Aesthetics 1.5, Solidarity 2.5)

The Macrozamia Moorei is a cycad, a living, breathing prehistoric plant from the age of dinosaurs. It is a native of Queensland, Australia, like the Bottle Tree, and looks very much like palms. It doesn't look beautiful in the wild with its fronds being too much and messy. However, when its trimmed with lesser leaves, it reveals a beautiful brown/black beehive looking trunk and tree looks like a beautiful shuttlecock.

Macrozami Moorei Trunks

Bald Macrozamia Moorei

Macrozamia Moorei

Macrozamia Moorei Nursery Farm

2 Headed Macrozamia Moorei

More information on Macrozamia Moorei here

Frangipani - Plumeria

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:23:00 +0000

Common Name: Frangipani
Scientific Name: Plumeria
Height: up to 8 m
Span: up to 7 m
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade
ABP Index: 4.0 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 4)

The Frangipani is a mystical flowering tree that is present in most tropical countries and is intertwined with their cultures. Asia local folks believe it provides shelter to ghosts and demons. Hindus associate it with their temples. Polynesian women wear the flowers to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking relationship and over the left if taken.

The first thing that captures you is the flowers that come in bunches and in many different colors (different varieties of Plumeria). Each flower has 5 soft petals that ooze colors in gradient form from the middle to the edge.

The sausage like branches move vertically upwards and split to form beautiful branch architecture. At the end of each branch would be a cluster of thick green leaves that show distinct veins.

As the tree age, the branches and bark of the tree swell in irregular areas and resemble an old rhino skin, giving it character.

Whether it has many branches or little branches, with leaves or without leaves, with flowers or without flowers, the Frangipani's beauty can be enjoyed in all seasons and perspective. A truly architecturally beautiful plant.

Frangipani Leaves

Frangipani Flowers

Frangipani Red Flower (PlantWerkz Favourite)

Frangipani Branch Architecture Shadow

Budding Frangipani Leaves

Frangipani at poolside of Luxurious Home

Frangipani Grove in Singapore Botanical Gardens

More information on Frangipani:
All things Frangipani
US Department of Agriculture (pdf)

Pinto Peanut - Arachis Pintoi

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Pinto Peanut Flower

Common Name: Yellow Peanut Plant, Pinto Peanut
Scientific Name: Arachis Pintoi
Height: 0.2 m
Span: Ground Cover
Growth Rate: 2m per Year
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade
ABP Index: 1.5 (Aesthetics 2, Solidarity 1)

From the forest of Brazil, the pinto peanut or yellow peanut plant is a creeper that grows on the ground and look like grass from afar. It has little green oval leaves with a distinct whitish vein in the middle of the leave, making look like closed little green eyes covering the ground. Every few green leaves, specks of yellow little 'orchid' looking like flowers protrude 5-7 cm above the green sea. From an ant's view, it look like sunflowers in bloom, a beautiful sea of green and yellow.

Pinto Peanut or Yellow Peanut Plant - Arachis Pintoi

Field of Pinto Peanut in HortPark, Singapore

Pinto Peanut Patch

Pinto Peanut Fact Sheet

More information on the Pinto Peanut here

Desert Rose - Adenium Obesum

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Adenium Obesum (Socotranum) in Socotra

Common Name: Desert Rose, Sabi Star, Kudu
Scientific Name: Adenium Obesum
Height: 1 - 3 m
Span: 1 - 2 m
Growth Rate: Slow
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun
ABP Index: 4.3 (Aesthetics 4.5, Solidarity 4)

The adenium obesum or desert rose is an evergreen succulent shrub that survives in desert to deciduous climates. The beauty of this shrub comes from the huge muscular roots and thick swollen caudex ('trunk') that gives the desert rose it's unique character. Among the different varieties, the socotranum, which comes from the unique island of Socotra (where the Dracena Draco comes from) is the biggest of them all. The leaves and flowers grows at the tip of the stems which further enhance the beauty of this plant allowing the flowers and caudex's beauty to be appreciated separately. The flowers can come in many different colors such as white, yellow, pink, red and a mixture. The Thais are crazy about this plant and develop many different hybrids.

Adenium Obesum Bonsai by Mr Jai Krishna Agarwal, Lucknow, India

Flowers and Leaves of the Desert Rose

More information on Desert Rose
Siam Adenium
NRSundaram's Webshots

Madagascar Almond - Terminalia Mantaly

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Madagascar Almond Canopy of Leaves

Common Name: Madagascar Almond
Scientific Name: Terminalia Mantaly
Height: 10 - 20 m
Span: 5 - 8 m
Growth Rate: Fast
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun
ABP Index: 4.0 (Aesthetics 4.0, Solidarity 4.0)

The Madagascar Almond is a native of Madagascar, a land thriving with unique species of flora and fauna. The tree grows straight up and forms distinct canopies or layers of leaves that look like umbrellas. In each layer, the branches form almost parallel to the ground and branches in almost harmonic vein like patterns and ends up with small clusters of green leaves that are 4-9 in a cluster. The variegated (or tri-color) variety has beautiful green white leaves. These clusters of leaves spread out evenly to form the canopy. Due to the small green leaves, the Madagascar Almond is also suitable for Bonsai.

Variegated (tri-color) Madagascar Almond Leaves

Cluster of Madgascar Almond Leaves

Madagascar Almond Trees at Seng Kang Flats in Singapore

Forest of Madgascar Almond Trees

More information on Madagascar Almond

Water Banana - Typhonodorum lindleyanum

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:14:00 +0000

Water Bananas at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Common Name: Water Banana
Scientific Name: Typhonodorum lindleyanum
Height: 2 - 2.5 m
Span: 1.5 - 2 m
Growth Rate: Unknown
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade
ABP Index: 4.3 (Aesthetics 4.5, Solidarity 4)

The water banana looks like a plant from fairytale land with giant spade leaves sprouting out from trunks in still water. It looks like a cross between an alocasia and a musa (banana) but it's not a hybrid. A native of Madagascar, these water plants have been known to grow 3m in height. The flowers are unisexual which grow into yellow berries that are edible. A must have for any tropical garden pond.

Water Bananas at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Water Banana Flower

Bonsai - Architecturally Beautiful Plants

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:56:00 +0000

The word Bonsai comes from the Chinese word 'pun sai' which means tree in a pot.

Bonsai is an art form that recreates nature's architecturally beautiful plants in a miniature form. It's truly the representation of what an ABP is about. It originated in China and was transported to Japan around 500 years ago where it became an art form. Now it has pervaded into the rest of the world.

The art of Bonsai has categorized different architecture forms into Bonsai styles. These styles are what Bonsai artists have observed in nature for hundreds of years. The common styles are represented below.

Other then the styles, other techniques of creating deadwood ('jin' and 'shari') in Bonsai gives characteristics of age and weathering (struck by lightning)

Pot selection is also vital to match the structure of the Bonsai to accentuate its architectural beauty.

Some architecturally beautiful Bonsais.

Goshin by John Naka

Hiroshima Survivor

Spirit of Bonsai
Bonsai Basics 1
Bonsai Basics 2

Walter Pall's Bonsai Gallery

Bottle Tree - Brachychiton Rupestris

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:49:00 +0000

Group of Bottle Trees in Thailand

Common Name: Bottle Tree
Scientific Name: Brachychiton Rupestris
Height: 18 - 20 m max, typically 12 m
Span: 5 - 12 m
Growth Rate: 1 m diameter trunk after 40 years, 2 m diameter after 80 years
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun
ABP index: 4.0 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 4)

The bottle tree is a native of Queensland, Australia. It gets its name from the bottle shape trunk that develops after 5 - 8 years. The bottle tree stores water in its trunk and its seeds, roots, stems and bark provide food for the animals and aboriginals. Did Coke copied their bottle design from the bottle tree? Nature has good design taste.

A bottle tree at bottle tree village, Singapore

Young bottle trees in cultivation

More Bottle trees

Giant Water Lily - Amazing Victoria Amazonicas

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Giant Water Lilies at the Kew Gardens

Common Name: Giant Water Lily, Amazon Water Lily
Scientific Name: Victoria Amazonica
Height: Water Level
Span: 3 m diameter each leaf
Growth Rate: very fast, as fast as 6 inches a day
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun
ABP Index: 3.5 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 3)

'Giant' water lilies, can't describe how big these lilies can be. Some could be as big as 3 m diameter and carry a weight of 45kg spread evenly. The beauty of this plant is not only in the size of the leaf but also the beautiful patterned veins underneath that support the leaf's weight. Put a few of these leaves together and you have a mesmerizing 'unreal' sight of green giant lily pads.

Baby on the Giant Water Lily

Flower of the Giant Water Lily

Beautiful veins and Underside of the Giant Water Lily

Growing Leaf of the Giant Water Lily

More information on the Victoria Amazonicas here
Documentary video of the Victoria Amazonicas here

Tower Tree - Schizolobium Parahybum

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Tower Trees at Lorong Chuan, Singapore

Common Name: Brazilian Fern Tree, Tower Tree
Scientific Name: Schizolobium parahybum
Height: 8 - 35 m
Span: 3 m per crown
Growth Rate: very fast, 7 m in 3 years
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade
ABP Index: 4 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 4)

The Tower Tree is a beautiful fern tree. It looks almost like those umbrellas you have when you drink a cocktail. This tree grows fast and can reach 7 m in height in 3 years. Some Tower Trees that grow in forest have reached heights of 35 m. The architectural beauty of this tree comes from the 'small' crown of leaves on the top and it's 'skinny thin' trunk that finds its way up in a artistic fashion. For that, it is given a ABP rating of 4.

More information on the Tower Tree here

Tower Trees at Chinese Swimming Club, Singapore

Crown of Tower Tree

Trunk of Tower Tree

Tower Tree new Leaves

Elephant's Ears - Alocasia Macrorhiza

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:23:00 +0000

Alocasia Macrorhiza 'Solid Gold'

Common Name: Elephant's Ear, Yam Plant
Scientific Name: Alocasia Macrorhiza
Height: 1.8 m
Span: 1.5 m
Growth Rate: Very fast
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, Shade
ABP Index: 3.5 (Aesthetics 4, Solidarity 3)

Crowned as the plant with the biggest undivided leaf, the Alocasia is one magnificient sight. These leaves are about 0.9 m high and 0.6 m wide. The Alocasia Macrorhiza has many different varieties of colors. Among them, the 'Solid Gold' and the 'Black Stem' are the most beautiful, displaying gold and black veins of their stem and leaves. They are also hardy plants that can grow well in almost any kind of conditions.

Alocasia Macrorhiza 'Solid Gold' Leaf

Alocasia Macrorhiza 'Solid Gold' new leaf shoot
(grows into a leaf in 3-4 days)

Alocasia Macrorhiza 'Black Stem'

Giant Sequoia - Sequoiadendron Giganteum

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:02:00 +0000

World's Biggest Tree - General Sherman's Trunk

Common Name: Giant Sequoia
Scientific Name: Sequoiadendron Giganteum
Height: 50 - 85 m
Span: 6 - 8 m trunk diameter. Biggest 17 m
Growth Rate: unknown
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun
ABP Index: 5 (Aesthetics 5, Solidarity 5)

The biggest of them all, the Giant Sequioa, growing up to 85 meters in height and 8 meters in trunk diameter (17 m for the biggest one). This is one huge tree. It has a very unique brown fibrous bark that is very resistant to fire. Some trees have black burnt marks telling stories of it's survival of a huge forest fire and giving it character. The one and only Giant Sequioa!

Can you see the lady at the bottom of the Giant Sequoia?

Comparison of a human being and the size of the trunk

Another comparison of a human being and the size of the trunk

The branch of General Sherman that fell. It is as big as a tree trunk!

Grandidier's Baobab - Adansonia grandidieri

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Common Name: Grandidier's Baobab
Scientific Name: Adansonia grandidieri
Height: up to 25m
Span: up to 3m diameter trunk
Growth Rate: unknown
Sun Tolerance: Full Sun, indoor (bonsai)
ABP Index: 4.8 (Aesthetics 5, Solidarity 4.5)

The crown jewels of Madagascar, the Grandidier's Baobab is the grandest of the 6 Baobab species found in Madagascar. The cylindrical trunk can grow up to 3 meters in diameter and tower up to 25 meters in height with a beautiful crown of leaves at the top. The sight of these trees anchor your legs on the ground and stand in awe. The Grandidier's Baobab also make good bonsai plants.

Avenue of Baobab, Madagascar

Avenue of Baobab, Madagascar

Grandidier's Baobabs at Morondava, Madagascar

image sources from Wikipedia

Spiral Ginger - Costus Curvibracteatus

noreply@blogger.com (PlantWerkz) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Close up of the Costus Flower and Leaves

Common Name: Costus, Spiral Ginger
Scientific Name: Costus Curvibracteatus
Height: Below 0.3 m
Span: 0.3 m (grows more branches sideways)
Growth Rate: unknown
Sun Tolerance: Shade
ABP Index: 2 (Aesthetics 3, Solidarity 1)

Costus Curvibracteatus is a wide leave plant with distinctive red flowers that can bloom all year round when conditions are right. The branches grow in a spiral shape, distributing it's beautiful wide leaves as cover for the ground. This plant looks beautiful when there is a whole lot of it growing together with spots of bright red flowers.

A patch of Costus at Aramsa in Bishan Park, Singapore

Another patch of Costus at Singapore General Hospital