Hortpark Pelican flower

The pattern on this flower looks as though it was painted by hand. Today on the side wall of one of the glass houses of the Hortpark, I found only one flower whereas in the past I have seen two to three flowers in bloom at the same time. Actually the presence of this lone flower made me more attentive to the unique characteristics of this flower - the shape, the texture, the pattern as well as the shape of the leaves. The only thing I did not notice about this flower was its smell or fragrance. I was too engrossed in making sure that there were a few flies around the cavenous mouth of the flower for my photo-taking and also I was in a hurry to carry on with my walk to want to spend more time and to smell this flower. Maybe unconsciously I really did not want to know. Anything with flies hovering around is not likely to smell of bath soap.

Aristolochia grandiflora - Pelican flower

I was looking for this Pelican flower when I found the lone Bat lily. I thought I would just take a photo of this flower but ended up taking a few more because this time I saw a few flies buzzing in and out of the flower and also noticed a not very pleasant odour though I was not sure if it came from the flower.

Aristolochia grandiflora - Pelican flower

Each time I go to the Hortpark I wil make a detour to the side of one of the glass houses to see if this creeper is flowering. So far I have never been disappointed.

Aristolochia grandiflora - Pelican flower

Whenever I am at the Hortpark, I make it a point to visit this wall that is covered with different types of vines. I have photographed this huge, exotic-looking flower as well as the passion flowers and the flowers of the Rangoon creeper many times. Each time, the experience is different. On that day, a family with young children came by. I heard the mother telling her daughters that these were pitcher plants. She tried persuading her younger daughter whom she was carrying to put her hand into the huge flower. The poor dear screamed in fright and said, "Don't put me into the flower!" and burst into tears. So much for getting in touch with nature. Actually, parents don't realise that these things can really be scary in the eyes of a young child. Maybe there should be a guide for parents on how they could interest their kids in the plants and flowers in the park. It would be helpful if a kind of information sheet written in simple English with attractive illustrations could be put together for kids as well as for their parents so that kids are not misinformed.

Unusual flower again - Aristolochia grandiflora

This time there were two flowers and they were unopened. Maybe Alice might visit Hortpark this weekend and take pictures of them in bloom. I managed to ID this flower this time. Interesting facts about this flower here. Reading about the stink exuded by this flower surprised me because my friend and I smelt nothing revolting even though we were standing close to these two flowers.

Common name: Pelican flower