Lagerstroemia: Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia, commonly known as Crape myrtle or Crepe myrtle, is a genus of around 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia and parts of Oceania, cultivated in warmer climates around the world.

Various species and cultivars are able to fill a wide variety of landscape needs with the following characteristics: Dwarf, Dwarf Upright, Dwarf Groundcover, Dwarf Mound, Small Dwarf, Semi-dwarf, Miniature, Miniature Weeping, Low Spreading, Open Spreading, Upright, Upright Vase, Upright Small Tree, Broad Upright, Strong, Upright, Broad Tall Tree, Small Tree, Compact, Compact Upright, Compact Globose, Globose, Low Globose, Pendulous Globose, Open Arching, Broad Vase, Broad Spreading, Broad Crown, etc.

Crepe myrtles are mainly known for their colorful and long-lasting flowers.

Photos: Various Myrtles around me, Atlanta, 20120727/28

Source: Wikipedia 

Ferocactus peninsulae: Biznaga

 

Ferocactus peninsulaelooks like Barrel cactus, reaches a height of about 70 centimetres (28 in). This plant is oval to club-shaped and has 12 to 20 showy, deep ribs. The thorns are grayish-red and have a yellowish or whitish tip. 

Ferocactus peninsulae is widespread in the Mexican state of Baja CaliforniaSur.

Photo: Flower Dome, GBTB, Singapore 20120719

Source: Wikipedia

Ferocactus glaucescens: Barrel cactus

Ferocactus glaucescens is a barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus. Ferocactus glaucescens is found in the limestone hills of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico

Photos: Flower Dome, GBTB, Singapore 20120719.

Source: Wikipedia

Aloe plicatilis: Fan Aloe

Aloe plicatilis, the Fan Aloe, is a species of aloe endemic to a few mountains in the Fynbos ecoregion, of the Western Cape in South Africa.

The plant has a unique and striking fan-like arrangement of its leaves. It may grow as a large multi-stemmed shrub or, unusually for Aloe species, as a small tree. Aloe plicatilis is one of five species of tree-aloe that naturally grow in South Africa, and it is the only tree-aloe that grows in Fynbos habitats.

Photo: Flower Dome, GBTB, Singapore 20120719

Source: Wikipedia

Kalanchoe luciae: Paddle plant

^ Photo: Flower Dome, GBTB, Singapore 20120719

Kalanchoe luciae also known as Paddle Plant, Paddle Kalanchoe, Red Pancakes or Desert Cabbage is native to South Africa. It is grown for its succulent, smooth-textured, variegated evergreen foliage.

^ Photo: Internet

The flowers are fragrant and attractive to bees, butterflies or birds.

Ophiopogon japonicus: Monkey Grass

Ophiopogon japonicus [Mondo grass, Fountain plant, monkey grass] is a species of Ophiopogon native to Japan. It is an evergreen, sod-forming perennial plant. The leaves are linear, 20–40 cm long. The flowers are white to pale lilac.

In traditional Chinese medicine Ophiopogon japonicus tuber is the cardinal herb for yin deficiency.

Ophiopogon japonicus is also grown as an ornamental plant, providing an excellent groundcover.

Photos: Atlanta, GA, United States [20120727]

Source: Wikipedia

Butterfly Garden @ Changi Airport T3

When you have spare time at Changi Airport Singapore, look for Nature Trail Airport Gardens. I visited the Butterfly Garden, located at Changi Airport Terminal 3’s Departure and Transit Mall. Its free and it is open 24 hrs. It is home to more than 1,000 free flying singapore butterflies, and close to 50 butterfly species native to Singapore and Malaysia were specifically selected to be bred in the butterfly garden.

I was there close to midnight and it was dark but I was able to photographed some. Enjoy!

Here are upside down Clipper butterflies [Parthenos sylvia philippensis].

Below are Mangrove Tree Nymph [Idea leuconoe chersonesia]

^ They’re not mating pair. A single butterfly and its reflection 🙂

Next, Common Mormon [Papilio polytes].

Below is Great Eggfly [Hypolimnas bolina bolina]

and Leopard Lacewing [Cethosia cyane].

 

Ravenala madagascariensis: Traveller’s Palm

Ravenala madagascariensis commonly known as Traveller’s Tree or Traveller’s Palm. It has been given the name “traveller’s palm” because the sheaths of the stems hold rainwater, which can be used as an emergency drinking supply, specially for the traveller, and also because the fan tends to grow in an east-west line, providing a crude compass.

Photo: GBTB, Singapore 20120719

Loropetalum chinense var. rubra: Chinese fringe plant

Loropetalum chinense, commonly known as the Chinese fringe plant, is a beautiful and versatile shrub. This in one of two forms of Loropetalum chinense, a fuchsia pink-flowering variety with leaves varying from bronze-red. Young leaves are olive-green turn burgundy when mature.

The other variety has a white – pale-yellow flowering green-leafed.

Photos: Heritage Garden, Chinese; GBTB, Singapore 20120719

Lilium sp.: Lilies

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large, prominent flowers. They comprise a genus of about 110 species in the lily family Liliaceae. Most species are native to the temperate northern hemisphere, though their range extends into the northern subtropics.

Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies and more… Enjoy!

Photos: Flower Dome, GBTB, Singapore 201207