Flowers to brighten up the blog

Carphalea kirondron
(Flaming Beauty)

This being the first day of the Chinese New Year, I thought I should add some vibrant colours to this blog. I came across this flower in the Singapore Botanical Gardens and was attracted to it because I find it rather unique. Amidst the individual clusters of red flowers are one or two white ones.

Brownea Rosa-de-monte
(Rose of Venezuela)

This flower looks like an embroidered ball that was tossed over a balcony by a pretty young lady looking for a husband in olden day China. The lucky guy who caught it would become her husband. What a neat match-making technique.

Photographed this flower at Marina City Park.

Ixora Odorata

Took this shot at Labrador Park. This flower bears resemblance to the Ixora. Interesting combination of colours. Found a picture of it in the publication "1001 Garden Plants in Singapore".

Etlingera elatior 'pink'

This ginger plant grows to a height greater than the height of a person but the flowers spring from below and can be admired at eye level. I've always wished that I could have this plant in my garden but first I will have to wish for a big garden. Fortunately in our Botanic Gardens there is a Ginger garden where these flowers put up a good show for visitors quite frequently. I have also seen them in other parks and gardens. This plant originates in Indonesia.

Hibiscus tiliaceus

This is a common sea-side shrub found in the tropics. They drop off quite easily and many times I have seen them on the ground. I picked this one up while walking along the Changi Boardwalk.

Hibiscus mutabilis

The common name for this flower is Chinese Rose and it comes from China (but of course). I found this shrub on a trip to Pulau Ubin, a small island where us city folks go to for some fresh air and to get back to nature. The blooms appeared fresh and I must have been lucky to witness beauty at its peak - the right time for picture taking.