Dahlias

The Dahlia was declared the national flower of Mexico in 1963. 

It is a genus of  perennial plants with tuberous roots. The dahlia has a flower head that is actually a composite with both central disc florets and surrounding ray florets. The modern name Asteraceae refers to the appearance of a star with surrounding rays. 

Dahlias grow naturally in climates which do not experience frost, consequently they are not adapted to withstand sub-zero temperatures. However, their tuberous nature enables them to survive periods of dormancy, and this characteristic means that gardeners in temperate climates with frosts can grow dahlias successfully, provided the tubers are lifted from the ground and stored in cool yet frost-free conditions during the winter. 

There are 42 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 5 cm in diameter, or up to 30 cm. 

There was an exhibition of Dahlias in the Flower Dome, at the Gardens by the Bay at the beginning of the year. I was lucky to be able to find time to go and have a look. I was not disappointed. Here are some of the pictures I took that day. 

Unfortunately, I do not know the names of each hybrid. 

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On The Fence

Something different today. Pictures with fence in them.

Saw this creeper plant using the fence for support. Don't know what they are called. Although I  saw them often enough in the wild, this was the first time I saw them in the neighbourhood.

It had bore 'fruits' too.

A flowering plant reaching across the fence.

A couple of pictures - more or less same place, but different day.

Beautiful lotus flowers in a pond - taken from a distance.

                   

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Bukit Timah Hill

Bukit Timah Hill is the tallest hill in Singapore – all 163.63 meters, or 537 feet of it. It is easily accessible. Perhaps that is why the hill and its surrounding nature reserve are popular with trekkers and nature lovers.

The surrounding area was designated a forest reserve in 1883, making it one of the first forest reserves in Singapore. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is open from 7 am to 7 pm daily.

You can experience Singapore's natural wildlife in this 163-hectare nature reserve when you walk or bike along its many trails. And you will be surprised with her share of wildlife and nature.

The reserve is also home to plenty of natural biodiversity such as long-tailed macaques and a variety of bird species. Some of Singapore’s most unexpected gems is the hidden-away pocket of greenery that is Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

At the base of the hill is the Visitor Centre. Here, you can learn about the varieties of flora and fauna that can be found in the park. There is also a car park and toilet facilities.

It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to climb to the Summit, and around 20 to 30 minutes to get back down – depending on how fit you are. I saw people jogging up the hill. Maybe they are training for some sporting events.

The trek to the top of the hill can be divided into three segments. The first segment is the steepest of the climb. Thankfully, the next segment is the easiest and flattest part of the trail. The road then branches off. For the third segment, you can carry on along the main road to take a longer but less steep route to the top, or you can take a flight of stairs stretching up to the top of Bukit Timah Hill. The stairs comprise of small and large steps juxtaposed side-by-side.

There are rest stops like these along the way for those who need to take a break, or if you just want to sit for a while with nature. 

Bukit Timah Hill Summit is pretty unremarkable. It is home to stoic relay stations. It is kind of anti-climax to reach the top and all you see are the relay stations. Anyway, the thrill is in the journey, and the act of conquering Singapore’s highest peak!

A boardwalk at the top leading to the steps. 

On the way down, I was in my own world, enjoying the quiet, when I heard a rustle in the trees and saw moments. It startled and scared the shit out of me. When I stopped to see what it was, I saw this 'thing' - probably a macaque, since I do not know any different. I took two shots at it - with my phone camera, and quickly, went on my way. I did not want to encourage it or antagonise it. 

A view at midpoint onto a pond. 

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Truisms - Words To Live By

Aphorisms – words of wisdom that reinforce our thoughts, ideas, beliefs and opinions. They are a source of strength, motivating and inspiring us along life’s journey.

The following words of wisdom are short and easy to remember. Do take a few moments to have a look. Maybe there is something that is useful to you. Or, maybe you know of someone who needs some encouragement. If nothing else, they will add to your chest of knowledge.

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. - Lao Tzu

Few things are commonplace in themselves. It is our reaction to them that grows dull, as we move forward through the years. - Unknown

The one sure way to conciliate a tiger is to allow oneself to be devoured. - Konrad Adenauer

It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. - Gerard Patrick Roeling

If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done. - Ludwig Wittgenstein

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have. - Vince Lombardi

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire

Few of the valuable things in life ‘just happen’. When they happen it is because we recognize their importance and devote ourselves to them. - Unknown

The more a man avoids making declared statements, the less likely he’ll seem foolish in retrospect. - Unknown

There’s no need to hurry, yet no time to lose. - Bessie Copage

Great is he who enjoys his earthenware as if it were plate, and not less great is the man to whom all plate is no more than earthenware. - Seneca

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. - Andre Gide

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Changi Beach

Changi Beach is at the very end of the island. It was, and probably is the most accessible beach in Singapore in that there is public transport to take you right to the beach.

When I was young, and had time on my hands, I went there quite often. Those were the days before 'UV rays are bad for you', and 'too much sun can cause skin cancer'. As I grow older, the almost two hour journey to the beach seemed like a long time, and I had other priorities. So, I haven't been back.

However, early this year, I had to attend a function at a clubhouse near the beach. So, I had the opportunity to have a glimpse of the beach again. It still took almost two hours to come to the beach from my home despite that we have trains now. Trains don't come directly to the beach or anywhere near the beach. So, in between switching from feeder buses to train, and then feeder bus again, it took just as much time.

It was a beautiful day. The beach looked lovely and I was so tempted to go down and have a look - for old times sake. Unfortunately, I was with company and they have other things in mind.

I like beaches. And there are other beaches, but they are all not the most convenient to get to on public transport. Maybe one fine day, I will take a trip down memory lane.

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Pennisetum Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass

Last week, I posted on Cogongrass aka Lalang Grass. You can read about it HERE. This week, I am posting about Pennisetum Rubrum – a cultivar of the Imperata cylindrica. They look so much like the Cogongrass except that the Pennisetum is coloured and larger in size.

Pennisetum is a widespread genus of plants in the grass family, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. They are known commonly as fountaingrasses (fountain grasses).

Pennisetum Rubrum are annual or perennial grasses. Currently, it is a genus of 80 to 140 species. They have been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant, and has become an invasive species in some of them. It is drought-tolerant, grows fast, reaches 3 feet in height, and has many purple, plumose flower spikes.

They are commonly seen here in Singapore. In their early stages of growth, they are all right. The coloured leaves, or grasses do add colour to the surrounding. But as they grow older, (and they grow very quickly), they begin to lean over, sticking out every way looking rather messy.

As ornamental plants, they are difficult to maintain. You would have to uproot them and plant new ones ever couple of months. If not properly maintained, they are an eyesore, and is anything but ornamental.

They are not my favourite plants. When I first saw them planted in beds all over the island, I wondered if someone had mistaken the grass which people considered a nuisance for something else. But, obviously they did not.

They don't look very ornamental, do they?

This picture was taken on a hot sunny day. Look at how dry they are. Like the Cogongrass, they are highly flammable.

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