Osteoglossum ferreirai: Black arowana

The black arowana, Osteoglossum ferreirai, is a freshwater bony fish of the family Osteoglossidae, commonly kept in aquaria. Its natural habitat are the still waters of the Negro River basin [Brazil and Colombia] and the upper Essequibo River basin [Guyana] in South America.

It has a long body and a tapered tail and can grow to a maximum size of 90 centimetres [35 in]. The species is also called water monkey or the monkey fish, because it can literally jump out of the water and capture its prey. It usually swims near the water surface awaiting for potential prey. Although it has been known to eat larger prey like small bats and birds and even small monkeys, their main diets consist of shrimps, insects, smaller fishes and other animals that float on the water surface, on which its draw-bridge-like mouth is exclusively adapted for feeding.

  

Arowana daily token feeding is at 11.30 am by the Free-Ranging Orang Utan Island, Singapore Zoo. A keeper will put a fish on a stick about 1 meter above the water surface and several Arowana will jump to get the treat. Amazing to watch how they can jump out of water to “catch their prey”.

Photos: Singapore Zoo, Singapore, 20130320

Source:  Wikipedia

Sanchezia speciosa: Shrubby whitevein

^ Brown-throated Sunbird [Anthreptes malacensis] about to feed on Sanchezia speciosa‘s nectar.

A bushy shrub from Ecuador and Peru with sturdy, bright green or purple stems and large, dark green leaves displaying light-colored [variegated with yellow, ivory, or white]  ribs and veins. Tubular yellow flowers are borne in terminal spikes.

Photo: Singapore Zoo, Singapore, 20130320

Source:  www.finegardening.com

Pelargopsis capensis : Stork-billed Kingfisher

The Stork-billed Kingfisher, Pelargopsis capensis [formerly Halcyon capensis], is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia. This kingfisher is essentially resident throughout its range. Stork-billed Kingfisher is a species of a variety of well-wooded habitats near lakes, rivers or coasts. It perches quietly whilst seeking food, and is often inconspicuous despite its size. It is territorial and will chase away eagles and other large predators. This species hunts fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds.

This is a very large kingfisher, measuring 35 to 38 cm [14 to 15 in] in length. The adult has a green back, blue wings and tail, and grey head. Its underparts and neck are buff. The very large bill and legs are bright red.

Photo: Singapore Zoo, Singapore, 20130320

Source:  Wikipedia

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis: Indian Snakeweed

Stachytarpheta jamaicens [syn. Stachytarpheta indica] is a species of plant in the Verbenaceae family. Native throughout the Caribbean, the species is commonly known as blue porterweed or Jamaica vervain. It is pantropical, being found in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeastern Asia and West Tropical Africa, where it is known as Indian Snakeweed and Nettle-leaved vervain. It is usually found along country roadsides and it grows also well as a ruderal plant on disturbed terrain. It is an invasive species in some places.

^ Eurema hecabe contubernalis [Common Grass Yellow]

The fresh leaves are consumed in bush tea as a “cooling” tonic and blood cleanser, to treat “asthma” and “ulcerated stomachs”. Flowers are purple. Many species of butterflies are attracted to the flowers of the Indian Snakeweed.

Photos: DG Green, Singapore 20110222; KTPH Hospital Garden, Singapore, 20140415

Source: Wikipedia

Stachytarpheta mutabilis: Red Snakeweed

Stachytarpheta mutabilis is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family known by the common names changeable velvetberry, coral porterweed, pink snakeweed, red snakeweed, and pink rat tail. It is native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. This plant is an introduced invasive species in Fiji, Hawaii, Queensland, and Singapore. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

This species is a perennial herb or subshrub. The flowers come in many shades of red and pink and are attractive to a variety of insects.

Photos: Oh Farms, Singapore, 20130129

Source: Wikipedia

Catopsilia pomona pomona: Lemon Emingrant Butterfly

^ Catopsilia pomona pomona: Male

^ Catopsilia pomona pomona: Female

The Common Emigrant or Lemon Emigrant [Catopsilia pomona] is a medium sized pierid butterfly found in Asia and parts of Australia. The species gets its name from its habit of migration.

Photos: KTPH Hospital Garden, Singapore, 20130319

Source: Wikipedia

Catopsilia scylla cornelia: Orange Emigrant

Catopsilia scylla, the Orange Migrant or Orange Emigrant, is a species of butterfly with a wide distribution in South East Asia and Australasia. Adults are approximately 60–65 millimetres [2.4–2.6 in] long.

The subspecies Catopsilia scylla etesia [originally described as Catopsilia etesia] is known in Australia as the Orange Migrant. Elsewhere, the species is called the Orange Emigrant. Other subspecies include Catopsilia scylla praerubida, Catopsilia scylla sidra, Catopsilia scylla cornelia, Catopsilia scylla asema, Catopsilia scylla bangkeiana and Catopsilia scylla moluccarum.

Photos: Oh Farms, Singapore, 20130129

Source: Wikipedia

Muntingia calabura: Singapore Cherry, Kersen

Muntingia calabura, the sole species in the genus Muntingia, is a flowering plant native to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and western South America south to Peru and Bolivia. Common names include Jamaican cherry, Panama berry, Singapore cherry, Malayan Cherry, Bajelly tree; [Indonesia] kersen.

It is a small tree 7–12 meters tall with tiered and slightly drooping branches. It has serrated leaves 2.5–15 cm long and 1–6.5 cm wide. The flowers are small, white and slightly malodorous. It gives rise to 1–1.5 cm red fruit. The fruit is edible, sweet and juicy but ‘sandy’ because of its large number of tiny [0.5 mm] yellow seeds.

It is a pioneer species that thrives in poor soil, able to tolerate acidic and alkaline conditions and drought. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and fruit bats. It is cultivated for its edible fruit, and has become naturalized in some other parts of the tropics, including southeastern Asia.

Photos: KTPH Hospital Garden, Singapore, 20130124

Source: Wikipedia

Protea cynaroides: King Protea

The King Protea [Protea cynaroides] is a flowering plant. It is a distinctive Protea, having the largest flower head in the genus. The species is also known as Giant Protea, Honeypot or King Sugar Bush. It is widely distributed in the southwestern and southern parts of South Africa of the fynbos region.

The King Protea is the National Flower of South Africa.  The King Protea has several color forms and horticulturists have recognized 81 garden varieties, some of which have injudiciously been planted in its natural range. In some varieties the pink of the flower and red borders of leaves are replaced by a creamy yellow. This unusual flower has a long vase life in flower arrangements, and makes for an excellent dried flower.

Photos: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, 20130316

Source: Wikipedia

Faucaria tigrina: Tiger’s Jaw

Tiger’s Jaw [Faucaria tigrina] lives up to its common name. The sharp spines that edge the pairs of speckled leaves look like the teeth of a ferocious tiger. Their unusual leaves make a spectacular addition to a succulent dish garden.

These South African succulents grow in clumps of stemless, star-shaped rosettes in its dry, rocky native habitat. Yellow, daisy-like flowers may appear on plants that are a few years old.

Photos: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, 20120719

Source: Guide to House Plants