Flora and Fauna of Tropical Asia
The fascinating world of tropical nature
The Magnificent Papaya
If you had to pick a tree that best represented the tropics, which one would it be? While there are a number of candidates for the likely symbol of the hot and humid regions, I would probably rate the papaya tree (Carica papaya) near the top. Its long branches stretching horizontally from the crown, the large green to yellow fruits hanging down graciously from the trunk, and the distinctive shape of their leaves give an unusual impression that will enthuse any nature-conscious visitor of the warm climates. This is a tree that is as common and widespread… Continue reading
Skyflower or Pigeon Berry
The exciting and ultimately heartbreaking events of the past three weeks (the laying of eggs, their successful hatching, and the tragic deaths of the four bulbul chicks, not even a week old, made me wonder about the bush the birds chose as the location for their nest. After some research on the Internet I learnt the plant’s common name (Skyflower or Pigeon Berry) and its scientific name (Duranta erecta). Although it originates from tropical Americas, it’s very popular in southern Taiwan, presumably due to the abundance of the small blue flowers it produces throughout the year.… Continue reading
Heliconia Rostrata
Every time I look at a Heliconia rostrata flower, commonly referred to as “hanging lobster claw”, I am instantly reminded of how wonderfully creative Mother Nature really is. Originating from western South America (it is the national flower of Bolivia), this long-lasting flower goes through many phases of life during which it transforms itself from a promising reddish tint on top of the plant’s stem into this majestic attention-drawing marvel. Unlike many other heliconias, which flower throughout the year or several times each year, the rostrata species only bloom once a year, usually in May in this part of the… Continue reading
Flame of the Forest
Delonix regia has a number of common names, including Flamboyant Tree, Flame of the Forest or Royal Poinciana. It seems to originate from Madagascar, but because of its striking red flowers, it has been planted in many tropical regions around the world. On top of its ornamental value, it is an excellent tree to provide shade on hot days as its branches tend to spread to the sides (it has a hemispherical crown) and its foliage is also quite dense. It’s a deciduous tree that flowers once a year. There are several cultivated variaties with the colour of the flowers… Continue reading
Yellow Garden Mushroom
Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is a fairly common mushroom found in many tropical and subtropical regions, while in temperate climate it can grow indoors, alongside potted plants. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that the English language is predominantly spoken in the climatically milder zones, it is sometimes called “plantpot dapperling”, “flowerpot parasol” or “yellow houseplant mushroom”, even though in most parts of the world it occurs outdoors. In Taiwan the mushroom is called 純黃白鬼傘, which can be literally translated as “pure white-yellow ghost umbrella”. It is mildly poisonous and it might cause severe stomach problems if consumed.
We usually get these fungi in the… Continue reading