Malaysia Flowers

Gardening to attract butterflies

2007-03-04T22:16:00.000+08:00

There are some gardens which simply attracts many butterflies. How is this possible? Simply through butterfly gardening, an art of growing flowers and plants that will attract these colorful and dainty creatures to your garden.

The design of your butterfly garden is a matter of personal preference. Some points to consider are the size of your garden and the types of flowers and plants you want to grow. Butterflies are attracted to flowers that have nectar rather than pollen, like honeysuckle, milkweed, summer lilac, valerian, daisies, purple coneflower, yellow sage, day lilies and lavender. Pick a style of garden that appeals to you, but ensure it also contains the plants and flowers that appeal to the butterflies you wish to attract.

Besides flowers and plants for your butterfly garden, you can also create an environment with water of some kind. A birdbath will look attractive and keep the butterflies up off the ground, away from stray cats or mischievous puppies. A shallow dish on a post or hung in a tree will do just as well.

When planting your butterfly garden be careful how you coordinate the colors you choose for your flowerbeds. Although butterflies do not care about your choice of color, you don't want your garden to be full of unrelated colors and textures.

Delight your family and visitors with beautiful butterflies, but be sure to create a safe habitat for them. If you own cats, it may not be a good idea! Happy butterfly gardening!

Visit Malaysia 2007 - Florathon

2007-01-06T13:18:00.000+08:00

This year is Visit Malaysia Year 2007! Yeahoo! There will be lots of celebration and happening events all accross the nation. Locals and foreigners will have a taste of what Malaysia has to offer. Great food, great people and most important, great FLOWERS.

From 20 January 2007 - 4 February 2007, there will be a Flora Fest. The following are the details:

Saturday, 20 Jan 2007 - Florathon
Venue: Dataran Merdeka
Agenda: Dress up with costume or dress made of flowers and greens. Merit is given to those who dress up with the most original, creative flower like theme. If you're spotted, stand a chance to win fabulous prizes up to RM1,500. Brisk 2km walk from Dataran Merdeka to KL Lake Gardens. If you're interested, be there at 7:30am to register for the exciting event which will start at 8:00am. Best of all Participation is Free!
Entry Form: Download

Updated MNS Website

2007-01-03T22:05:00.000+08:00

Recently received an email from MNS. Their website has recently been updated. Please visit their new MNS site and if possible, join them. Why join MNS? You get the following benefit.

For less than RM6 a month, your membership will support the following:

Habitat Protection and Conservation
numerous protected areas have been established in Malaysia by MNS supported by its membership.

Environmental Education for Children
there are close to 10,000 school children engaged with the MNS School Nature Clubs throughout the country.

Grassroots Community Capacity Building
MNS works closely with urban and rural communities on capacity building in habitat protection.

Creation of New Nature Parks
MNS has been the reason for the creation of many National and State Parks and Community Nature Parks.

Campaigns and Lobbying for Habitat Protection
currently the Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve and the Belum Temengor forest complex is being lobbied for protection and gazettment.Benefits for youOrganized nature activities such as jungle trekking, bird watching, diving, nature guiding and photography.The Malaysian Naturalist, a quarterly magazine highlighting the wonders of Malaysia’s natural heritage.A regular newsletter to members from branches listing calendar of events and activities. Opportunity to volunteer in MNS projects.Special rates for park entries, facilities and discounts at the MNS Nature Bookshop.The additional subscription entitles you to the MNJ, the Malayan Nature Journal, the scientific periodical that publishes new research on biodiversity.

Orchids in Malaysia

2006-07-24T23:59:00.000+08:00

Don't you just love the Orchid Plant? Its flowers are so beautiful and there are many types and species of Orchids that it's really difficult to identify. This site OrchidWeb has a nice catalog of Orchids from all around the world.

In general, Orchids need to be kept moist but not soggy with lots of air circulation around the roots. If you are re-potting it, use orchid bark and orchid moss. Put it in a spot that gets enough light. Note that some orchids do not need much light though, you will need to find out what kind it is. To find out its exact species you can either search though the site listed above or simply go to Name that Plant forum and ask for help to identify your orchid there. Most of the flowers here are identified through the help of the forumers.

One particular experience to share about safekeeping your orchid is to never leave the plant outside your garden area. About a year ago, I had an orchid which flower took quite a while to fully develop. I was longing for the day to capture it on my camera. On the day when I decided it's a good time to take it, I stepped out only to find that the flower has been stolen by a passer by. The flower was within reach as the person simply puts his/her arms through the fence and plucked the flower, Just like that, my orchid flower was gone. I hope this horrible experience does not happen to any of you out there.

Till then, have fun with your lovely Orchids.

Malaysia Flowers supporting MNS Belum - Temengor Campaign 2006

2006-06-08T23:12:00.000+08:00

Malaysia Flowers recently received an email from Malaysian Nature Society.

In the mail, it's stated that one of MNS's current campaign is to save the Belum Temengor Forest Complex from logging.

In the mail, it states the following

"Currently, our main campaign is to save the Belum Temengor Forest Complex from logging. We have met the Mentri Besar of Perak and he has unofficially supported our initiative. It is our objective to provide him with a level of public concern that will persuade the state to conserve Belum Temengor. Currently both forest reserves are unprotected, Royal Belum has not been gazetted and logging is ongoing in Temengor."

This image was taken by a member just beside the East West Highway, in a corridor that will be turned into an Acacia plantation if no one objects to the logging.

To support MNS in this campaign, check out the various ways you can do so from MNS's site. MNS Belum-Temengor Campaign 2006

Yellow Allamanda in Bangsar

2006-05-30T21:19:00.000+08:00

This bright yellow Allamanda, a prolific bloomer is a common flower here in Malaysia. It was taken from my neighbor's house.

Some plant facts:-

Scientific Name: Allamanda Cathartica
Other Common Names: Butterfly Flower, Angel's Trumpet or Golden Trumpet
Family: Apocynaceae

Fact: If one is in contact with the flower sap or if the leaves are ingested, one can be poisoned. The symtoms can be skin irritation, vomitting, diarrhea, elevated temperature.

Malaysia Flowers Delivery

2006-05-27T19:15:00.000+08:00

Are you looking for online delivery of flowers? If you have not purchased flowers online before, do not worry as most florist in Malaysia are reliable and helpful. They will ensure that your flowers are delivered on time and according to your request as they understand how it important the flowers are to you and your loved ones. The flowers could simply be for their wedding, anniversary, birthday, new born, and the ever romantic Valentine's day.

Listed below are some reliable Malaysia Flowers delivery shop:
- Blooming.com
- Flowers.com.my
- LeeFlower.com
- Floristika
- World local florist..... Online local Flowers and Gift Shop of the World

If you have any good or bad experiences buying flowers online from any specific florist, do share your comments here with the rest.

Water Lily

2006-05-20T21:11:00.000+08:00

The picture of these water lilies were taken from Wihan Phra Mongkol Bophit, Ayutthaya, Thailand. It was about 800 metres walk from the entrance to the building which has a 16.95 metres high sitting Buddha. There are many flowers from Thailand which are similar to those in Malaysia. Probably because of the similar weather and climate.

Some Water Lily Facts
Nymphaeaceae is the botanical name of a family of flowering plants. The family is also called the "water-lily family". The white water lily is the national flower of Bangladesh. It is also the birth flower for July.

Water-lilies are rooted in soil in bodies of water, with leaves and flowers floating on the water surface. The leaves are round, with a radial notch in Nymphaea and Nuphar, but fully circular in Victoria.

Horticulturally, water-lilies are divided into two main categories: hardy and tropical. Hardy water lilies bloom only during the day, but tropical water lilies can bloom either day or night, and are the only group to contain blue-flowered plants.

The viability of water lily seeds is exceptionally long, around 2000 years.

Information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Malaysia Flowers Picture Grid with Picasa

2006-05-05T22:50:00.000+08:00

This picture grid was easily generated via Google Picasa, a free Picture Organizer from Google. You basically select the pictures you want to create as a grid and click on the Collage button. Besides picture grids, you can also create Multi-exposure and Picture Pile.

Picasa basically helps me to organize all pictures in my machine. Pictures which I forgot I had in my machine was all displayed and categorized automatically when it's run for the first time. Its slideshow is also fun and easy to use. The greatest thing about Picasa is that it allows us to fine tune and edit our pictures easily. Highly recommend for advanced users and amatuers. Don't wait, try the Google's Photo Software today. It's free anyway.

Live Scores for Malaysia in Thomas Cup 2006

2006-05-03T16:34:00.001+08:00

May 3, Malaysia vs South Korea.

For those who supports Malaysia Badminton Team but is working and can't watch them play live, no worries, we have the Internet.

Simply go to this link for live results.
http://tuc.u-netsurf.ne.jp/thomas/en/live/live-score.html

Malaysia Boleh! I hope they win the Thomas Cup this time round. It's been way too many years. Wait until my flower oso die.

FOR LIVE SCORES FOR THOMAS CUP 2008, see this link
http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=20003

Also check out some sleek badminton videos

Pink Hibiscus or RoseMallow

2006-04-20T00:26:00.000+08:00

Wow! What a great pink hibiscus macro shot. Click on the image to enlarge the image and you will notice how clear the pistil and stamens are. This shot was taken from Seremban 2 Rasah Kemayan housing area during our morning walk.

According to the encyclopedia, the hibiscus flower can have many colors. Red, blue, white, pink, yellow, orange are some of the colors. There are also about 200-220 known species. Since this blog was started, I've got macro shots of the White Hibiscus and the Red Hibiscus. I know the next will be an Orange one since the plant is just in my garden. Just need to wait till the flower is fully developed.

Plant Facts

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus

Star Fruit (Averrhoa carambola)

2006-04-14T23:59:00.000+08:00

These are the flowers of a star fruit tree which are usually small clusters of red stalked, lilac, purple streaked, downy flowers and are borned on the twigs in the axils of the leaves. You may notice one tiny green star fruit towards the right. When the fruit is all ripe and ready to be eaten, it is about the size of your coffee cup. If you have not eaten the fruit before, well... it's absolutely delicious and refreshing. The taste is a little sweet, sour while its flesh is juicy and a little acidic. Some describes the taste to be similar to raisins which has a desirable level of sourness combined with sweetness.

The fruit when it is sliced has the form or shape of a star thus giving it the name Star Fruit.

Plant Facts
Common Name: Star Fruit, Carambola
Botanical Name: Averrhoa carambola
Family: Oxalidaceae
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Origin: Ceylon and the Moluccas
Zones: 8 (in sheltered areas) - 11
Height: to 30'
Rate of Growth: Slow
Salt Tolerance: Low
Soil Requirements: Not too particular as to soil, but will grow faster and bear more heavily in rich loam. Needs good drainage; cannot stand flooding.
Water Requirements: Medium drought tolerance
Nutritional Requirements: Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, side dressings of composted manure
Light Requirements: Full sun

Plant facts quoted from http://www.floridagardener.com/pom/Carambola.htm

Ciku - Sapodilla Tree in Malaysia

2006-04-07T23:28:00.000+08:00

Check out this ciku tree! It was taken from my dad's home town in Kampung Rasa, Selangor. The ciku, also known as Sapodilla is quite a common fruit here in Malaysia. Its taste is very sweet and juicy while the black seeds are quite big and long. You wouldn't want to swallow one of it! After having one or two cikus, my lips usually get sticky. Hrmm.. I wonder why. Maybe because its bark is rich in white, gummy latex.

The ciku tree usually begins to yield fruit about 3-4 years after planting and after that yields twice a year with flowers continuing all year round. This fruit is native of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras and was introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish times.

Need help! Is this a Marigold or Dahlia? No! It's a Chrysanthemum

2006-03-27T23:13:00.000+08:00

Was searching through the Garden Plants and Flowers Encyclopedia and got pretty confused as to whether this flower is a Marigold or Dahlia. How can you tell the difference?

My aunt got this plant as a gift during the Chinese New Year at her home at Kampung Rasa, Rawang. The plant gift being goldish and orangish probably means prosperity and wealth all year round. It's also wrapped with red ribbons. How nice!

Update (March 31, 2006)
Thanks to identification by gingerblue, this flower is actually a Chrysanthemum.

There are about 30 species of chrysanthemum out there. I wonder which species this is. It's said to have originated from China about 2500 years ago. That's really long time ago.

Over here in Malaysia, chrysanthemum tea is a famous drink especially among the chinese. Our yummy YEO's chrysanthemum tea, so sweet and nice!

So if you simply need to grow some chrysanthemum, check out this site.

Also at Wikipedia, you can check out the chrysanthemum's history, ornamental uses, culinary uses, and its various species.

Orangie Lantana camara

2006-03-27T22:40:00.000+08:00

This orange reddish Lantana was taken in Langkawi's Crocodile Farm. Notice how beautiful its dark green leaves are. Fine and evergreen. It grows on moist, well drained soil in full sun. Note that these Lantanas lack winter hardiness. Which is why it's quite a common perennial here in Malaysia averaging 30 degree celcius. Other colors include red, purple, yellow or white. Will post more Lantana camara here once I get more pics of it.

White Paper Flowers

2006-02-12T23:13:00.000+08:00

This plant is a white Bougainvillea. It's sometimes also known as "paper flowers" because the bracts are thin and papery. In this case, the bracts are white in color. Bougainvillea is quite common in Malaysia due to its tropical and warm climate.

This pic was taken at the back of my home. While this plant is relatively small, I've seen some Bougainvillea which can grow out of control just like my other home in Seremban. However, if it's well maintained by proper trimming and shaping, the plant can look really good.

For more info about bougainvilla, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvillea

Flower Collage

2006-01-17T22:08:00.000+08:00

Wondering how this picture collage was created? This free tool, Picasa from Google is able to help you make picture collages and it's really simple to use. The best thing about this tool is that it's able to help you search for all the pictures in your machine and groups them together nicely. Neat isn't it?

Don't wait any longer. Get your free Picasa from Google software today!

Flowers in Putrajaya

2006-01-08T21:24:00.000+08:00

This pic was taken from the Botanical Gardens in Putrajaya located in Precinct 1. It has been designed as an Acadia or a national sanctuary for the Malaysian living collection of plant taxonomy as well as a centre for education and research.The garden has some of the world's most fascinating plants, about 700 species from over 90 countries of origin.

Botanical Garden Putrajaya is established on 230 acres of what was formerly agricultural land, within the precincts of the nation’s new Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya.
Opening Hours Garden: The botanical garden is open daily from 9am – 7pm.
Interactive Exhibition:The Visitor Interactive Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am - 6pm.
Admission to the garden is free.
Entry fee to the Interactive Exhibition is RM2.
ParkingVisitors may park their vehicles at the Main Parking Area.
Parking fee is RM1 per entry.
For more information on the Botanical Garden, you may contact 603-8889090

Flowers for Yeh Yeh

2006-01-02T21:08:00.000+08:00

To my beloved yeh yeh,

You have gone in peace. You will always be in our hearts. Your lovely smile. Your friendly personality. Your courage and strength to fight through the battle. We will always cherish our time spent together.

Thank you for your love and teachings. For always you will be with us (Alice + WY).

We love you! (2nd Jan 2006 6.30pm HUKM)

Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia Alata)

2005-12-27T22:55:00.000+08:00

Can anyone help to identify this cute yellow flower?

Added 29 December 2005
Thanks to Carol23 for Identification

Hardiness: Tender perennial grown as an annual
Growth Rate: Rapid
Texture: Medium
Height: 8'
Exposure: Morning sun and afternoon shade
Climbing Method: Twining stems
Flower/ Fruit: Yellow, white, orange flowers summer to fall
Comments: Start seedlings indoors in warm moist soil (germinates in 10 to 21 days); does not like intense heat; prefers light, well-drained soil and moderate to light fertilization
Cultivars: Alba (white), Aurantiaca (yellowish orange), Bakeri (white), Susy (mixed)

Additional Info quoted from http://www.ehow.com/how_6782_grow-black-eyed.html

Begonia semperflorens

2005-12-21T22:29:00.000+08:00

Can anyone help to identify this flower?

Added 24 December 2005
Thanks to Identification from Asa_S and

Genus: Begonia
Species: X semperflorens-cultorum
Common Name: Wax Begonia
Family: Begoniaceae
Order: Cucurbitales
Native: Parents from South America
Location: Prefers sunny to part shady, moist to moderately dry, well-drained, organic-rich soil Habit: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 0.5 to 1.5 feet
Width: 0.5 to 1 foot
Season: Spring, Summer to Fall
Color: White, pink, crimson, red or bicolor
Propagation: Seed
Zone: 9_10

This compact, fibrous-rooted plant is primarily grown as an annual, and is suitable for beds, containers, window boxes, borders and edging. Monitor plant for powdery mildew, blight, crown rot, stem rot, leaf spot, mealy bugs and thrips. Good air circulation is required to reduce fungal diseases. Cultivars with bronze-green leaves tolarates full sun location better than green leaves cultivars

Buy Flowers Online

2005-12-20T21:10:00.000+08:00

Have you ever purchased flowers online? I have! Once... and it was for my marriage proposal. I had them send the flower to my wife's office with the note attached....

"Will you marry me dear?

If yes, meet me at Berjaya Times Square"

Haha! and she did turn up!

We're happily married now. So if you're thinking of reasons to buy flowers online, I have just given you one.!

Grasshopper = Belalang!

2005-12-18T23:39:00.000+08:00

What do you think about this grasshopper? It does not look like the common grasshopper with big head and eyes. And it's got four legs only!

Did you know that a grasshopper is called a "Belalang" in the Malay language?

Can anyone identify this hopper?

Purple Flowers

2005-12-18T00:31:00.000+08:00

Can anyone help to identify this plant? I think it's a wild plant as it grew outside my sister's home in Seremban 2.

Yellow Dahlia

2005-12-16T13:55:00.000+08:00

Took this beautiful yellow dahlia from Fraser's Hill in Pahang, Malaysia.

Black Berries?

2005-12-13T22:33:00.000+08:00

Any idea what this plant will eventually turn to? Are these berries?

Dianthus (Border Pink)

2005-12-10T23:26:00.000+08:00

This Flower looks like a skirt doesn't it? Someone says that it looks like a butterfly? What about you? Can anyone help to identify this flower? Thanks!

Added 13 December 2005
Thanks to Dee for Identification

The Dianthus we grow are also known as Border Pinks. These comprise a group of Dianthus larger than the diminutive alpine species and smaller than carnations. Some of these are old historic varieties such as Inchmery which originated in the eighteenth century. While others are more recent selections such as Mountain Mist. Many gardeners grow Dianthus for their fragrance. The spicy scent varies with each variety. In the plant descriptions we try to indicate the range of fragrance. Some such as Rose du Mai are highly scented, while Allspice and Brympton Red are not so overpowering with their scent. A number of the Dianthus we grow are known as Laced Pinks. These are typically double or semidouble flowers having each petal edged in shades of pink to burgundy. Examples of these are London Delight or Gran's Favourite. Since the Border Pinks have a relatively short blooming season (3 - 4 weeks in early summer), it is often important to select plants which look attractive in the garden when not in flower. Charles Musgrave, though highly scented, has little to offer with its sprawling habit, whereas Essex Witch or Waithman's Beauty make tidy mats of low dense foliage which are attractive throughout the year. Regardless of whether it's an historic Dianthus or a recent introduction, or scented or not, all the Dianthus are cheery in the garden and make wonderful cut flowers.

Info quoted from http://www.canyoncreeknursery.com/dianthus.html

Pink Gerbera

2005-12-08T23:15:00.000+08:00

Can anyone help to identify this flower? Thanks.

Zinnia (Pinwheel Series)

2005-12-06T22:15:00.000+08:00

Can anyone help to identify this flower? Thanks to SusanC for I.D this flower!

Added 8 December 2005

DESCRIPTION: These pretty annuals are natives of Mexico. They belong to the Daisy family, Compositae. Z. elegans, Youth-and-old-age, is the most commonly grown kind along with its many different varieties. There are both single and double flowered kinds. Zinnia form bushy, erect, self-branching plants, growing 1 to 4 feet in height. Z. angustifolia is bushy and trailing, 8 to 24 inches. The oval leaves are 2 to 3 inches long. The foliage of Z. angustifolia is narrow. The ray petals of the flowers may be quilled or flat and they come in every shade except blue. Picking off the dead flowers will increase the blooms.

POTTING: The soil should be well drained, rich and moist to on the dry side. They will flourish in full sun. Set them 8 to 12 inches apart.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be started early indoors at a 70- to 75-degree temperature, 6 to 8 weeks before it's safe to plant outside. Plant them in flats of sifted soil consisting of loam and leaf mold and humus or peat, with a bit of sand added. Seeds may also be sown directly outdoors where they are to grow when the soil is warm.

Info quoted from http://www.botany.com/zinnia.html

Wet Dandelion Seedhead

2005-12-05T21:41:00.000+08:00

This pic was taken by my sisters when they travelled to Canada. I personally haven't seen this type of flower in Malaysia. I guess it only exist in colder areas. Appreciate any help in identifying it. Thanks!

Added 6th December 2005
Thanks to identification by SusanC.

Everybody knows this weed, and most have a love-hate relationship with it. We don't try too hard to keep it out of the lawn, but it's not welcome in our garden areas. The large fleshy taproot on established plants reaches quite deep, and must be completely removed to get rid of the plant. Several varieties grow in our gardens, some with plain leaves, others deeply cut.

Quoted from http://www.robsplants.com/plants/TaraxOffic.php

Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica )

2005-12-02T23:37:00.000+08:00

Can anyone help to identify this flower?

Added 6th December 2005
Corrections being made to the name of this flower. It should be a Ipomoea indica instead of Ipomoea Violacea.

Quoted from Rosemarie:
The blue with pink throat is typical of it. The leaves are variable, having heart-shaped to 3-lobed foliage.

For full details, please visit
morning glory that occurs throughout the tropics. The beauty of its flowers led horticulturalists to breed many new varieties, often with flowers showing striking patterns of bright colors, and bearing equally vivid names: Heavenly Blues, Flying Saucers, Pearly Gates and so on. These names proved eerily appropriate decades after they were invented, when the discovery of ergoline alkaloids similar to LSD in the seeds led to widespread experimentation and a massive surge in demand. In fact, the seeds had been used for centuries by many Mexican cultures, and were known to the Aztecs as tlitliltzin.

Info Extracted from http://www.answers.com/topic/ipomoea-violacea

Money Tree

2005-12-01T00:12:00.000+08:00

Money trees, botanical name Pachira. Like many other indoor plants, it require some sun light and periodically watering to keep healthy. It can grow as tall as seven feet and expand three feet wide horizontally. For more info, visit LuckyBamboo

MalaysiaFlowers: It is said to bring luck and good fortune and symbolizes good wealth. Hrm... I will get one of these and update back here when I get all the good stuffs! Hehe!

The luck and fortune has definitely emerged where by I have found ways to make money online and earn cash via the Internet. My dreams of working from home to spend more time with my family will soon come true. I hope you all Malaysians out there can earn some money in USD online as well. Learn from here --> How Malaysians can make money online in USD Enjoy!

Pink Dahlia

2005-11-29T23:47:00.000+08:00

See how this flower has so many layers of petals. Amazing isn't it. Can anyone help to identify this flower?

Added 30 November 2005
Thanks deejaus for helping to identify this lovely pink dahlia.

More Info on Dahlia
Dahlias are classified according to flower shape and arrangement of petals. Single-flowering dahlias have one row of petals, generally grow to 3 ft or less, and have flowers 4 inches or less in diameter. Types of single-flowering dahlias include: singles, orchid-flowering, anemone, and collaretts. Single-flowering dahlias have a ring of evenly spaced petals. Orchid-flowering dahlias are similar to single-flowering types, but the ray florets curl up along the edges. Anemone flowers have an extra ring of small petals.

Information quoted from http://www.dahlia.com A great site with lots of beautiful dahlia pictures! :)

Camouflage Roach

2005-11-29T23:21:00.000+08:00

The power of Camouflage! Check out this roach. It was crawling on my body midnight. I captured it in a glass. Too sleepy to look at it then. In the morning... released it and took this picture. This roach lives in the forest. I was at Malaysia National Park then.

Double Apricot

2005-11-28T23:55:00.000+08:00

Although this flower looks big, but don't be fooled. It's actually quite small and grows widly among the grass. Any particular name for it?

Added 30 November 2005
Thanks to Deejaus & Rosemarie for identifying this wild flower

More information
Portulaca oleracea (Family Portulacaceae), commonly known as purslane in the U.S., is an herbaceous weed. The orgin of purslane is uncertain. It can be found growing wild and/or cultivated in much of the world. It existed in the New World before the arrival of Columbus, and was found in Europe by the late 16th century. It can be found growing in almost any unshaded area, including flower beds, corn fields, and waste places. Purslane can be found growing in cold climate areas (e.g., Canada) as well as warm areas (e.g., the Caribbean). It has been used in salads and as a medicinal plant (for people) for hundreds of years.

Info quoted from this site Cornell Edu
An exact picture can be seen on this site

Mussaenda erythrophylla

2005-11-28T00:10:00.000+08:00

Can anyone identify this flower? Looks like a flower with four beautiful reddish tongue! Haha!

Added 29 Nov 2005
Plant Type: Shrub
Hardiness Range: 9B - 11
Mature Height: 20' to 30' / 6.00m to 9.20m
Environment: Prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun; soil should be moist
Bloom Colors: Pink, yellow

Info quoted from http://www.horticopia.com/hortpix/html/pc3674.htm

Thanks to TonyFromOz for identifying this flower.

Spider Lily

2005-11-27T13:58:00.000+08:00

I originally called this flower -- "Spiky Flower"! Bad Guess. Thanks to Rosemarie, Ltcollins and Heathen for your identification.

Info about Spider Lily.
Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Hymenocallis eulae
US Nativity: Native
USDA Symbol: HYLI

Description: An elegant and unusual-looking flower, the spider lily has a stem 1–3 feet high, with 2 or 3 blossoms at the top. The flower has 3 white sepals and 3 petals which are alike and unite to form a tube 2–4 inches long, narrow but spreading, and curving backward slightly as they age. The flowers are quite fragrant. The glossy leaves, at the base of the plant, are 6–30 inches long and 1 inch wide (248).

Information quoted from http://www.wildflower2.org/NPIN/Plants/Detail.asp?Scientific_Name=Hymenocallis%20liriosme

Striped Cave Racer Snake I AM! Sssiiiiiiii

2005-11-27T13:52:00.000+08:00

Any idea what is the name of this snake? Poisonous? Estimated Lifespan?

This snake was stumbled upon on our way up to the longest canopy walk of its kind in the National Park of Malaysia. Great shot isn't it? No worries, the snake wasn't harmed. It carefully slittered away once we are done taking its pictures.

Added 30 November 2005
Thanks to KeithB for identifying this snake! A Striped Cave Racer, its scientific name is Elaphe taeniura. Good news.... it's not poisonous! haha.

Agapanthus - the African Lily

2005-11-27T00:10:00.000+08:00

This group of flowers looks like a burst of fireworks doesn't it? Can anyone help identify it?

Added 27 Nov 2005

Origin: South Africa
Flowering: from early summer until the beginning of autumn
Use: container plant or cut flower
Propagation: Dividing the roots in March and by Seed
Site: half shade, sunny. Must be kept inside in the wintertime(it depends on the climate, in areas where minus degrees (C) are likely during winter)
Soil: any brand of wellbalanced potting soil
Temperature: 18 degrees, a minimum of 0 degrees (C) in the winter

Information quoted from http://www.agapanthus.org.uk/uk/agapanthusfreunde.html

Thanks to Heathen1, Seamommy and deejaus for identifying this plant.

Bush Violet

2005-11-25T22:28:00.000+08:00

This flower's common name is bush violet. The following are it's details:

Genus: Browallia
Species: speciosa
Common Name: Bush Violet
Family: Solanaceae
Order: Solanales
Native: Columbia
Location: Prefers sunny, moderately dry, well-drained, ordinary garden soil
Habit: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 0.75 to 4 feet
Width: 1 to 3 feet
Season: Summer
Color: Blue, purple, or white
Propagation: Seed
Zone: 9_11
Note: This herbaceous perennial mostly grown as an annual and it is suitable for containers and bedding. Monitor plant for whiteflies. Do not over fertilize or water Bush Violet, this enhance vegetative growth with less flowers.

Information about this flower is taken from: http://www.botany.wisc.edu/garden/db/speciesdetail.asp?genus=Browallia&species=speciosa

Plant succesfully identified by RoseMarieRo. Thanks.

Gerbera Daisy

2005-11-25T22:20:00.000+08:00

Gerbera Daisy as identify by whitejade.

Marigold (tagetes)

2005-11-17T23:06:00.000+08:00

Identified by Ryan from California. Thank you Ryan!

Pink Panther Rose

2005-11-17T00:06:00.000+08:00

Is this a carnation? It's really a big flower isn't it? This was taken in an orchard in Fraser's Hill. I wonder how long does it take for this flower to grow this big. The vibrant pink reminds me of Pink Panther!
Does this look like a carnation to you?

Added Nov 20. This flower is a Camellia as identified by Ryan from California.
Added Nov 25. This flower is confirmed to be a Rose as Identified by Calvin_OrchidLover and Weebus.

Thank you all for your kind identifications.

White Hibiscus

2005-11-15T22:10:00.000+08:00

A white hibiscus taken from Langkawi's Crocodile Farm. Notice an interesting insect on the flower? Any insect researchers or scientists who could help to identify this insect?

Added Nov 27, 2005
The insect on the the white hibiscus could be a type of Assassin Bug as identified by RosemarieRo! Detail information and prove of insect is on the way!

Malaysia Hibiscus

2005-11-15T21:50:00.000+08:00

Our Malaysia's Hibiscus is the pride of the country which signifies our country's strength, unity and independance. The Hibiscus is easy to maintain and grows in many types of soil, making it the most commonly found flower in Malaysia.

Interesting facts:
1. Even part of the plant, from the stem to the leaves and flowers has a functional role of medicinal value!
2. Juices from the flower can be used as dye and shoe polish!
3. The seeds have been used as a tonic in India.
4. The bark can be used as fibre to make ropes.
5. The root have been taken to relieve fever.

Besides red hibiscus, have you seen any other hibiscus in other colors?

Stapelia gigantea

2005-11-15T01:46:00.000+08:00

Can anyone identify this image? I love to take pictures of flowers but have no idea what's the name. Enlighten me! :)

Added Nov 20. This flower could be a Stapeliad of some sort, perhaps a Taveresia species.

More information about this plant:-
Stapelia gigantea is an interesting plant that resembles cactus, with clumps of 4-sided spineless stems. Carrion flowers are native to S. Africa.

Blooming Time: September. Flowers are large, fleshy, shaped as 5-pointed stars; they have an elaborate circular fleshy disk in the center. The flowers smell like carrion and are not offensive if blooming outside. Flowers are 10-16 inches across.

Culture: Stapelia gigantea need full sun and moderate water in the growing season. They need a well-drained soil (2 parts loam to 1 part sharp sand) with small pebbles mixed in for drainage. They need a cool, dry rest period in winter. Fertilize once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They are best managed in pots and can withstand extreme heat.

Propagation: Stapelia gigantea are propagated by stem cuttings. Take cutting in spring when new growth begins. Let cuttings callus up for 2-3 weeks before planting.

Information on Stapelia gigantea quoted from this site: http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week048.shtml