Joie des Jardins (II)

Written by Mr William Teng

'When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.' – Minnie Aumonier

Hi, readers. We are back after a two-week hiatus and we will be continuing with our 'Joie Je Jardins' series. Today, we will feature some beautiful blossoms.

Etlingera elatior (Painted Net Leaf, Torch Ginger, Philippine Waxflower, Nerve Plant, Bunga Kantan, Bunga Siantan)

Photo credit: Mr William Teng

This large flower grows in the Science Garden (located behind Block E of the school. It grows on a tall and upright stalk of up to a metre.

The immature flower of the torch ginger is often used in Southeast Asian cooking e.g. to make the broth of assam laksa. 

Clitoria ternatea L. (Butterfly Pea, Blue Pea, Blue Vine, Pigeon Wings, Mussel Shell Creeper, Bunga Telang)

Photo credit: Mr William Teng

This climber legume is a commonly cultivated ornamental plant with flowers of a vivid blue. An edible dye can be extracted from its petals to add a striking blue to Malay and Nyonya confectioneries such as kueh salat and fanciful drinks in modern cafes.

The flower is a popular specimen used for biological drawings in the Biology curriculum. Its bilateral symmetry (also seen in orchid flowers) makes it interesting to observe and draw.

You can find it in our Science garden and the area near the back gate of the school.

Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia, Mexican bluebell or Britton's wild petunia)

Photo credit: Mr William Teng

This plant is non-native to Singapore and it is another commonly grown ornamental plant. It thrives well with plentiful sunlight and thus can be found growing in some of the sunnier spots of the school including the parade square.

Drop by here next week for the next post!

Joe des Jardins Series

Read part one here.