Tagetes erecta - Mexican Marigold

Scientific name: Tagetes erecta

Common name: Marigold, African Lemon Supreme, African Marigold,
Mexican Marigold, Aztec Marigold, Stinking Suzy

Malay name: Kembang Emas, Bunga Tahi Ayam

Family: Asteraceae 

Origin: Mexico

Category: Ornamental annual plant

 Photo Taken at: Genting Highlands

This plant is native to Mexico where it grows while there. It was wrongly thought to originate from Africa, hence it is also commonly called African Marigold. 

Hemerocallis fulva - Orange Daylily

Scientifc name: Hemerocallis fulva

Common name: Orange Daylily, Tawny Daylily, Ditch Lily

 Family : Hemerocallidaceae (formerly Liliaceae)

Native of: Europe, China, Korea and Japan

Category: Perennial plant

Photo taken at: Chin Swee Temple, Genting Highlands

This is my entry for Fertilizer Friday, my grateful thanks to Tootsie at Tootsie Time, her link is here

Acalypha hispida - Red Hot Cat's Tail

Scientific name: Acalypha hispida
Synonym: Acalypha densiflora

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Common name: Chenille Plant, Red Hot Cattail, Fox Tail, Philippines Medusa

"Chenille" is the French word for caterpillar.

Chinese name: 紅尾鐵莧, 紅毛莧、狗尾紅, 猫尾紅

Malay name: Pokok Bunga Ekor Kucing (Cat's tail), Buntut Kucing

Origin: Malesia

Category: Prennial shrub

Photograph taken at: The Rooftop Secret Garden of 1-Utama

For more details about this plant, please my post in My Nice Garden blog here.
My NST article : Amazing Cat's Tail on 21st July 2012

How to grow:
Grow under the full sun in humus rich and well-draining soil. Propagate by cuttings.

Bahasa Malaysia:
A. hispida boleh ditanam dalam pasu atau di atas tanah sebagai pokok pagaran.

1. Pembiakan : 
• gunakan keratan batang atau ranting yang telah matang - 10cm panjang
• celup bahagian bawah keratan dengan hormon penggalak akar
• tanam dalam polibeg, medium tanah- 2:1 tanah bakar dan tanah hitam
• letakkan di tempat redup
• tutup bahagian atas dengan beg plastik untuk mempercepatkan proses pencambahan
2. Tanah 
• tanah gembur yang air mudah mengalir keluar dan tidak bertakung
• nisbah medium campuran 3:2:1 (tanah peroi : baja organik : tanah bakar)
3. Cahaya
• matahari yang banyak tetapi tidak terlalu terik menggalakkan pembungaan
4. Air yang mencukupi tetapi tidak terlalu banyak
5. Baja 2 minggu sekali
6. Cantas hujung batang dan ranting untuk menggalakkan pertumbuhan baru dan bunga yang banyak 

Oncidium 'Golden Shower', Dancing Lady Orchid

Scientific name: Oncidium 'Golden Shower'

Common name: Dancing Lady Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae
Origin: Horticulture

Category:  Hyrbid Orchid
Photo Taken at: The Secret Garden of 1-Utama

(Updated: 16 July 2018)

Today is ABC Wednesday, Round 8

O is for .....

Ooh lala!

the Outrageously beautiful

Oncidium Orchid

To view or participate in ABC Wednesday, please click on the badge below:

Malvaviscus arboreus - Turk's Cap Hibiscus



Malvaviscus arboreus 

Scientific name: Malvaviscus arboreus

Common names: Turk's Cap, Turk's Turban, Wax Mallow,
Ladies Teardrop, Scotchman's Purse, Sleeping Hibiscus

Malay name: Bunga Raya Kuncup

Family: Malvaceae (Hibiscus family)

Origin: Mexico

Category: Free-flowering shrub

Photo Taken at: My home garden

Notes:

• The shrub grows to abot 2 m tall.
• The flowers are always half-opened and upright
• arboreus, refers to the tree-like appearance of a mature plant.
• Loves the full sun
• Propagation is by cuttings

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday, thanks to Work of the Poet, the link is here.

Yellow Daylily - The Edible Golden Needle Flower

Scientifc name: Hemerocallis spp (Hemerocallis hybrids)

Common name: Yellow Daylily

Chinese name: Golden Needle Flower ((金针花)

Family : Hemerocallidaceae (formerly Liliaceae)

Native of: Europe, China, Korea and Japan

Category: Perennial plant

Photo taken at: My home garden

The dried flower bulbs of the yellow daylily is edible and used in Chinese cooking. Fresh flowers are very popular as cut flowers.

Note:
This daylily grows well in the cool regions of our highlands but not in my humid, hot garden. After it finished opening the first round of flower buds, it continued to grow only leaves and never flowered again.


This is my entry for Macro Monday, created by Lisa at Lisa's Chaos. Do follow the link click here

to participate and/or view other Macro Monday posts around the world this week.

Dendrobium crumenatum

Scientific name: Dendrobium crumenatum
Common name: Dove Orchid, Pigeon Orchid, Sparrow Orchid, Bag-shaped orchid

Chinese name: 鴿石斛 (ge shi hu )
Malay name: Orkid /Anggerik Merpati, Orkid / Anggerik Desa, Sakat Harum

Family: Orchidaceae

Origin: Malaysia

Category: Tropical epiphytic orchid

Photo taken at: My home garden

This orchid is commonly found in Malaysia and Singapore where it grows naturally on trees in our tropical rainforests. The flowers are fragrant. You can find this orchid is used in landscaping for planting along roadsides and also grown in gardens as ornamental plants.

You can a this orchid at the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) where the orchid is growing on the trunk of a Raintree (Samanea saman) near the entrance of the main campus. You can also find it growing naturally at the Air Itam Dam and Penang Hill in Penang.

In some states of Malaysia, e.g. Perak and Pahang state, the Pigeon Orchid is associated with spiritual beliefs. The Malay community would plant the orchid in front of their homes, usually near to the entrance door, as a talisman for protection. It is believed that the plant is able to ward off evil forces from entering the house. (Source: Wikipedia)

This is my entry for Today's Flowers # 140, a meme which opens every Sunday, 2pm GMT. My grateful thanks to Today's Flowers team members; Luiz Santili Jr, Denise in Virginia, Laerte Pupo and Sandy Carlson. To participate and view other gorgeous flowers around the world, click here.

Strelitzia nicolai - Bird of Paradise Flower

Scientific name: Strelitzia nicolai Regel & K. Koch

Common name: Giant White Bird of Paradise Flower, Wild Banana, Blue-and-white Strelitzia

Family: Strelitziaceae
Native to : South Africa

Category: Evergreen perrenial plant
Photo Taken at: Floria 2010

Anthurium - Pink

Scientific name: Anthurium andraeanum

Common name: Flamingo Flower, Boy Flower, Tail Flower,

Eg. of a famous cultivar is A. andraenum "Royal Flush"

Family: Araceae

Origin: Ecuador or Columbia 

Category: Epiphytic plant

Photo Taken at:  My home garden

This is my entry for Fertilizer Friday, my grateful thanks to Tootsie at Tootsie Time, her link is here

Magnolia lillifolia - Mulan Magnolia

Scientific name: Magnolia liliifolia

Common name: Lily magnolia, Mulan magnolia, Purple magnolia,

Red magnolia, Tulip magnolia, Woody-orchid

Family: Magnoliaceae

Native of: Southwest China (Sichuan, Yunan)

Category: A deciduous small tree

Photographs taken at: The Secret Garden of 1-Utama

This is my entry for Cottage Floral Thursdays #16, my grateful thanks to Fishtail Cottage. To participate and view other entries around the world, please click here.

Nerium oleander

Scientific name: Nerium oleander

Synonym: Nerium indicum

Common name: Oleander

Family: Apocynaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

Category: Ever-flowering shrub

Photo Taken at: The ditch garden in my neighbourhood

Other flower colours are white, yellow, red and purple. Some have variegated leaves or double flowers. The above is a single petal variety. 

Today is ABC Wednesday, Round 8

N is for .....

the Nice, Numerous, Never-ending flowers of the
Nerium oleander


To view or participate in ABC Wednesday, please click on the badge below:

Costus barbatus - The Red Tower Ginger

Scientific name: Costus barbatus

Common name: Spiral ginger, red tower ginger

Family: Costaceae

Origin: Costa Rica

Category: Tropical perennial herb

Photo Taken at: Floria 2010

“Costus barbatus 'Red' (Costaceae) at Floria 2010 - Wordless Wednesday”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on April 19th, 2011.

Costus barbatus grows in a clump, reaching a height of about 6ft. The inflorescences consist of bright, glossy red bracts that contrast beautifully with the clear yellow true flowers. The yellow tubular flowers are edible with a delightful sour lemony flavour. Grow in full sun or shade, USDA Zone 8-11. In the tropics, it is ever-blooming and the inflorescences can last for months. They attract hummingbirds. Good as cut flowers

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday, thanks to Work of the Poet, the link is here.

Clerodendrum speciosum

Scientific name: Clerodendrum speciosum

Synonym: Clerondendrum delectum

Common name: Red Bleeding Heart Vine, Java Glory Vine

Chinese name: 龙吐珠 ('long tu zhu' or dragon spitting pearl)
Malay name: Nyonya Makan Sirih (Maiden/Fair Lady chewing betel leaves)

Family: Verbenaceae

Origin: Horticulture.
Clerondendrum speciosum is a hybrid of Clerondendrum splendens and Clerondendrum thomsoniae

Photographs taken at: The Secret Garden of 1-Utama

This is my entry for Macro Monday, created by Lisa at Lisa's Chaos. Do follow the link click here

to participate and/or view other Macro Monday posts around the world this week.

African Crinum Lily (Crinum jagus)

Scientific name: Crinum jagus

Common name: African Crinum Lily, St Christopher Lily, Swamp Lily

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Origin: Africa

Photographs taken at: The Secret Garden of 1-Utama

This is my entry for Today's Flowers # 139, a meme which opens every Sunday, 2pm GMT. My grateful thanks to Today's Flowers team members; Luiz Santili Jr, Denise in Virginia, Laerte Pupo and Sandy Carlson. To participate and view other gorgeous flowers around the world, click here.

Curry Leaf Tree

Scientific name: Murraya koenigii

Family: Rutaceae

Common name: Karivepallai, Kadipalla

Malay name: Daun Kari (malay)

Origin: Sri Lanka

Photograph taken at: My home garden

My post about this plant is here.

Chrysanthemums

Scientific name: Chrysanthemum hybrids

Common name: Chrysanthemums, Mums, Chrysanths

Chinese name: 菊属

Malay name: Bunga Kekwa

Family: Asteraceae (sunflower family)

Origin: China

Category: Perennial shrub

Photo Taken at: 1-Utama Shopping Centre

The name Chrysanthemum is derived from the Greek, chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower).

This is my entry for Macro Friday Week 47, the link is here.

Christia vespertilionis, The Red Butterfly Wing

Scientific name: Christia vespertilionis

Synonyms: C. vespertilionis var., vespertilionis, Hedysarum vespertilionis, Lourea vespertilionis

Common name: Red Butterfly Wing, Island Pea, Mariposa (butterfly in Spanish)

Family: Pappilionaceae / Leguminosae / Fabaceae (bean family)

Origin: Southeast Asia and Brazil

Catergory: Ornamental, herbaceous shrubs
Photos taken at: My home garden

Notes:

plant is grown more for its variegated foliage than the small flowers. They have spindy stems that arch upwards. Requirements:

•  Soil mix should be loose and well draining but keep it moist and do not let it dry out. The soil medium should be neutral to mildly acidic.
• Sun: Prefer partial shade in the outdoors but can tolerate full sun or indoor shade.
• Water: Regular watering schedule
• Propagation is by herbaceous stem cuttings and by seeds. Allow seedheads to dry on the plants before you remove and collect the seeds.
• This plant grows well in Zone 10-11. It can reach a height of 2-3 ft. Makes a good container and indoor houseplant.

As I know, our nurseries here in Malaysia do not regularly stock up this plant. Therefore, do buy it and have fun growing it when you see the plants available for sale in your area.

This is my entry for Cottage Floral Thursdays #15, my grateful thanks to Fishtail Cottage. To participate and view other entries around the world, please click here.

Pseudomussaenda flava - Yellow Mussaenda flava

Scientific name: Pseudomussaenda flava

Synonyms: Mussaenda flava, , Mussaenda luteola, Mussaenda lutea, Mussaenda glabra

Common name: Dwarf Yellow Mussaenda, White Wings

Malay name: Bunga Janda Kaya Daun Puteri (wealthy widow princess leaf) or adap-adap

Family: Rubiaceae

Origin: Tropica Africa, Asia, Malaysia

Photo Taken at: The Secret Garden of 1-Utama

Today is ABC Wednesday, Round 8

M is for .....

the Marvelous Mussaenda!


To view or participate in ABC Wednesday, please click on the badge below:

Pagoda Flower - Clerodendrum paniculatum

Scientific name: Clerodendrum paniculatum

Common name: Pagoda Flower

Chinese name: 赪桐 , 宝塔龙船花 (Bao da lung chuan hua or pagoda dragon boat flower ?),
龙船花 lung chuan hua (dragon boat flower)
Malay name: Panggil-panggil,* Pepanggil 

Family: Verbenaceae (Teak family, previously Lamiaceae)
Origin: Myanmar to South China and Southeast Asia.

Photographs taken by at: The Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur

* Source: A Field Guid to Tropical Plants of Asia by David H. Engel and Suchart Phummai, a Marshall Cavendish 2007 Edition

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday, thanks to Work of the Poet, the link is here.

Capsicum annum - The Common Chilli (Narrow Form)

1. In my garden

Scientific name: Capsicum annum

Common name: Common Chili, Chilli, Chili pepper

Family: Solanaceae

Origin: Americas

Category: Perennial shrub

2. In my garden

3. At Floria 2012

Grow under the full sun in moist, well drained soil. Propagation is by seeds.

Phoenix Tail (Celosia argentea) - Yellow

Scientific name: Celosia argentea 'Plumosa'

Synonym: Celosia var. plumosa, C. plumosa

Common name: Plumed cockscomb, cock's tail, plumosa,

 feathered amaranth, woolflower, red fox, celosia

Malay name: Balung Ayam, Bayam Bunga, Bayam Ekor Kucing, Pial Ayam, Bayam Ekor Belanda
Indonesia : Boroco

Family: Amaranthaceae 

Origin: Asia

Category: Annual herb

Photo Taken at: Genting Highlands

Celosia argentea 'Plumosa' - Red

Scientific name: Celosia argentea 'Plumosa'

Synonym: Celosia var. plumosa, C. plumosa

Common name: Plumed cockscomb, cock's tail, plumosa,

 feathered amaranth, woolflower, red fox, celosia, prince

Family: Amaranthaceae 

Origin: Asia

Category: Annual herb

Photo Taken at: Genting Highlands

Cat Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) - Purple

Scientific name: Orthosiphon aristatus

Synonym: Ocimum aristatum, Orthosiphon stamineus

Common name: Cat whiskers, Java tea,

Malay name: Misai kucing

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin: Tropical Asia

Category: medicinal, perennial herb.

Photograph taken at: My home garden

The purple variety grows upright.

This is my entry for Blooming Friday hosted by Katarina of Roses and Stuff, the theme this week is "EYE CANDY" and the link is here.

Cat Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) - White

Scientific name: Orthosiphon aristatus

Synonym: Ocimum aristatum, Orthosiphon stamineus, O. grandiflorus

Common name: Cat whiskers, Java tea
Chinese name: 猫须草 (mao xu cao)
Malay name: Misai kucing, Kumis Kucing 

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin: Tropical Asia

Category: medicinal, perennial herb.

The white variety is a good ground cover / bedding plant

This is my entry for Cottage Floral Thursdays #14, my grateful thanks to Fishtail Cottage. To participate and view other entries around the world, please click here.

Lantana camara 'Hybrida'

Scientific name: Lantana camara 'Hybrida'

Synonym: L. camara 'Chelsea Gem'

Common name: Spanish flag, Lantana
Malay name: Bunga tahi ayam (chicken dung flower)

Family: Verbenaceae

Origin: Tropical America

Native to: Central America, Mexico, The Bahamas, Colombia, Venezuela, Texas, Florida, Georgia 

and other tropical and warm regions around the world.

Category: Annual / perennial shrub.

Photo Taken at: My home garden

This ornamental plant attracts a lot of butterflies to my garden.

Today is ABC Wednesday, Round 8

L is for .....

the Lovely Lantana!


To view or participate in ABC Wednesday, please click on the badge below:

Catharanthus roseus - Shocking Pink

Scientific name: Catharanthus roseus

Common name: Madagascar Periwinkle, Vinca, Rose Periwinkle

Chinese name: 长春花 (Zhǎngchūn huā -  long lasting spring flower)

Malay name: Kamunting Cina, Bunga Tapak Dara

Family: Apocynaceae (dogbane family)
Native to: Madagascar

Category: Annual shrub

Photo Taken at: My home garden

This is my entry for Ruby Tuesday, thanks to Work of the Poet, the link is here.

Senna spectabilis

Scientific name: Senna spectabilis

Synonym: Cassia spectabilis, Senna macranthera

Common name: Scented Shower, Popcorn Bush, Drooping Cassia

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Sub-family: Caesalpinioideae

Origin: Tropical America

Category: Tree

Photograph taken at: KLCC Park.

This is my entry for Macro Monday, created by Lisa at Lisa's Chaos. Do follow the link click here

to participate and/or view other Macro Monday posts around the world this week.

Crassula ovata - Jade Plant, Money Plant

Scientific name: Crassula ovata

Synonym: Cotyledon ovata, Crassula argenta, Crassula portulaca, Crassula convoluta

Common name: Jade Plant, Lucky Plant, Money Plant, Dollar Plant, Friendship Tree, Finger Jade

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin: South Africa, Mozambique

Category: Succulent

Photo Taken at: My home garden

This is my entry for Today's Flowers # 138, a meme which opens every Sunday, 2pm GMT. My grateful thanks to Today's Flowers team members; Luiz Santili Jr, Denise in Virginia, Laerte Pupo and Sandy Carlson. To participate and view other gorgeous flowers around the world, click here

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Calandiva Red'

Scientific name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Calandiva Red'
Synonym: K. coccinea var. blossfeldiana

Common name: Kalanchoe, Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe
Malay name: Setawar kacukan

Family: Crassulaceae

Origin: Hort.

Photos takan at: My home garden

Category: Cactus and succulents, tropical and tender perennial plant

Kalanchoes are called "wan zi qian hong" ( 万紫千红 -  million purple thousand red) which translates to mean 'an abundance of wealth and prosperity'. In Cantonese, 'zi' for purple colour also sounds like money (银纸 - ngan zhi). The pronunciation of "wan zi qian hong" also rhymes with "a million offsprings, a thousand fame and honour".


BM Translation:

1. Pokok kacukan (hybrid) herba jenis sakulen
2. Mempunyai lendir dalam batang dan daun
3. Mengeluarkan beberapa tangkai bunga majmuk
4. Bunga dalam warna oren, kuning, merah terang, merah muda dan pic
5. Bunga boleh bertahan beberapa minggu sebelum layu
6. Penanaman - memerlukan baja dan dedahan cahaya matahari yang mencukupi untuk berbunga sepanjang masa
7. Pembiakan - keratan batang berdaun
8. Tanah - lembab tetapi air senang mengalir
9. Cahaya - tempat yang terang tetapi terlindung. Matahari yang tertalu terik dan berpanjangan boleh melecurkan dedaun dan bunganya.
10. Air - Siram dengan air yang mencukupi tetapi jangan terlalu banyak . Tanah yang terlalu kering boleh membantutkan pertumbuhannya dan air yang bertakung boleh mengakibatkan peruputan akar dan mematikan pokok.

Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Alba'

Scientific name: Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Alba'

Common name: Mexican Heather, False Heather, Hawaiian Heather

Family: Lythraceae

Origin: Central America

Photo taken at : Genting Highlands

This is an excellent groundcover for garden beds. It is also suitable as a combo plant in containers.
This is my entry for Blooming Friday hosted by Katarina of Roses and Stuff, the theme this week is "ON THE GROUND" and the link is here.