Scientific Expeditions into the Heart of Borneo Reveal Plant Species New to Science
A scientific expedition into the trans-boundary area between Limbang division and neighbouring country Brunei Darussalam is likely to yield a treasure trove of valuable research about Borneo’s unique flora and fauna.
Sarawak project coordinator Michael Ngelai from Forestry Department told The Borneo Post when met recently that the Mentawai Scientific Expedition (MSE) would mark the fifth such expedition in the state under the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative.
Based on the results and findings of the previous four expeditions, Michael is optimistic that the MSE will be able to make significant contributions to the scientific study and records of flora and fauna in Borneo…
(read more: Borneo Post)
Images:
T - two potentially new Bulbophyllum species found at Lanjak Entimau. (Photo by Heart of Borneo Initiative)
B - Rhizanthes kamarudini, a new species of Rizhanthes (of the same family as the Rafflesia) was discovered by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia professor Dr Kamarudin Mat Salleh and his team during the Lanjak Entimau expedition in June 2008. (Heart of Borneo Initiative)
nybg:
The invisible beauty of flowers:
Graphic designer turned artist Susumu Nishinaga has used an electron microscope to delve deep into the fabric of petal, leaves and pollen. The Japanese artist then colours the scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images using a computer - to reveal the building blocks of life
1. The pistil (orange) is surrounded by the stamens (pink) of a Buttercup flower (Ranunculus sp.)
2. Flowers of the ladies’ tresses orchid (Spiranthes sp.).
3. Part of the stigma (pink) of an Easter cactus flower (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). This is the top part of the female reproductive structure (carpel) of the flower. Pollen grains containing the male sex cells land on the stigma and may move down the style (not seen) into the ovary (not seen)
4. The surface of a pansy (Viola tricolor) petal. The petal is covered in tiny epidermal hairs (cone-shaped objects) known as trichomes
5. Pollen on the stigma of a sunflower plant (Helianthus sp.). The stigma, part of the flower’s female reproductive structure, is curled over here, with pollen grains (spiky orange balls) adhering to the yellow trichomes (hairs) on its underside
6. Pollen grains (small balls, lower centre) on the pistil of a Hibiscus sp. flower
7. The surface of a petal from a rape (Brassica napus) flower. The projections are papillae, lumps that help to reduce water loss from the petal
8.The stamens of an apricot (Prunus armeniaca) flower. A stamen, the male reproductive organ, consists of a filament (green) with an anther (red) at its tip.
9. The pistils (purple, female reproductive organs) emerging from the true flowers or florets (yellow) of a whiteweed plant (Ageratum sp.)
10. A cluster of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) flowers
Because it’s not enough to know that flowers are beautiful on the surface, here’s additional evidence that they’re also beautiful at the microscopic level. ~AR
Pinguicula moranensis
… is a perennial rosette-forming insectivorous herb native to Mexico and Guatemala. A species of butterwort, it forms summer rosettes of flat, succulent leaves up to 10 cm (4 in) long, which are covered in mucilaginous (sticky) glands that attract, trap, and digest arthropod prey. Nutrients derived from the prey are used to supplement the nutrient-poor substrate that the plant grows in. In the winter the plant forms a non-carnivorous rosette of small, fleshy leaves that conserves energy while food and moisture supplies are low. Single pink, purple, or violet flowers appear twice a year on upright stalks up to 25 cm long…
(read more: Wikipedia)
(photos: T/CR/B - Noah Elhardt; CL - winter stage, by Kristian Peters)
Hoya kerrii ”Sweet Heart Hoya”
So I didnt take picture of the leaves :S but they are heart shaped approx 10cm across, flowers of Hoyas are renowned for there pretty fragrance.
