Mervyn: Botanic gardens Singapore is a wonderful place, fresh air ,beautiful plants and the colourful scenery. The best place that my group ever been to was the cool house where species of plant which lives in a cold environment lives... We've had seen colourful and mystical flowers in the mist house. The only sad feelings I had was the sight of only one Vanda miss Joaquin plant in the garden as the
others were being trimmed...
There is a saying:
There is dignity in suffering; nobility in pain; but failure is a salted wound, that burns and burns again. it shows the perseverance of oneself being one who cant do one does.
This was a great experience for the past few years as the botanic gardens has had changed through the years. Thank you for this wonderful trip.
Jin Kai: Botanical Gardens is the most fantastic nature reserve in Singapore. When I reached there in the morning, I could smell the fresh air and the morning dew. When I stroll past the swan lake, it’s the most beautiful scenery I ever seen. I saw a variety of flowers. Different colours and structures of the flowers makes the Botanical Garden more colourful. I liked the cool house because the place was remarkably cold and had a small waterfall to top it all off.
I was fascinated by the names of different species of flowers. Some flowers look alike in appearance but they were actually different species. It was a pity I didn't see our national flower Vanda Miss Joaquin as it had not bloom. I enjoyed taking photos of the flowers to keep as a mementos. I wish I can visit the Botanical Gardens again . Thank You!
Nashrulhaq(NasBregas): Botanical Gardens is truly a wonderous and intoxicating place. I was in an exuberant mood when we left school because I forgot to bring my tie and thus, lucky to escape from a scolding. It was an experience that had its lows and highs. Like when I was kicked out from my previous group without knowing it. Behind my calm facade, I felt betrayed and disheartened. Another is that we had to keep walking and walking in cold sweat as we headed to different locations, one after the other. The food price was proposterous and ludacris as it was too expensive that I was not able to buy anything. I enjoyed seeing all the flowers and I even saw with my own eyes a gigantic spider web. I felt like Indiana Jones. Some flowers were also fascinating and intriguing to look at. Some were beautiful while some were awkward. It was disappointing that I was not able to see Singapore's National Flower though. On the other hand, I enjoyed taking photos and especially enjoyed being in the Cool Room. It was very cold in there and it felt good to cool myself down in there. I even wanted to stay in there til it was time to head back to the rendezvous point. However, the time had come and so my group and I headed back. It had a great time and so did the others. I learnt alot from this experience and hope that such activities will be planned again. If the blog is not up to standard, my group and I wish to apologize as this was our, no my first time doing this. Thank you though. Ms Nada and the school, you have made me realize the beauty of nature and I no doubt the trip has totally been an eye-opener for me. Once again, thank you!!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Flower Parts & Function (Shorter Version)
Petal: Petals are used to attract insects into the flower, they may have guidelines on them and be scented.
Stigma: Is covered in a sticky substance that the pollen grains will adhere to.
Style: The style raises the stigma away from the Ovary to decrease the likelihood of pollen contamination. It varies in length.
Ovary: This protects the ovule and once fertilisation has taken place it will become the fruit.
Ovule: The Ovule is like the egg in animals and once fertilisation has taken place will become the seed.
Receptacle: This is the flower's attachment to the stalk and in some cases becomes part of the fruit after fertilisation e.g. strawberry.
Flower stalk: Gives support to the flower and elevates the flower for the insects.
Nectary: This is where a sugary solution called nectar is held to attract insects.
Sepal: Sepals protect the flower whilst the flower is developing from a bud.
Filament: This is the stalk of the Anther.
Anther: The Anthers contain pollen sacs. The sacs release pollen on to the outside of the anthers that brush against insects on entering the flowers. The pollen once deposited on the insect is transferred to the stigma of another flower or the same flower. The ovule is then able to be fertilised.
TAKE NOTE!!!!: This post is the same thing as Structure and Function but, it is much shorter and more straight to the point.
Friday, February 26, 2010
More Information On Flowers(Interesting!!!)
Dioecious - refers to a plant population having separate male and female plants. That is, no individual plant of the population produces both microgametophytes (pollen) and megagametophytes (ovules); individual plants are either male or female.
Androecious - plants producing male flowers only, produce pollen but no seeds, the male plants of a dioecious population.
Gynoecious - plants producing female flowers only, produces seeds but no pollen, the female of a dioecious population. In some plant populations, all individuals are gynoecious with non sexual reproduction used to produce the next generation.
Monoecious - an individual that has both male and female reproductive units (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures) on the same plant; from Greek for "one household". Individuals bearing separate flowers of both sexes at the same time are called simultaneously or synchronously monoecious. Individuals that bear flowers of one sex at one time are called consecutively monoecioous; plants may first have single sexed flowers and then later have flowers of the other sex. Protoandrous describes individuals that function first as males and then change to females; protogynous describes individuals that function first as females and then change to males.
Hermaphrodite - A plant that has only bisexual reproductive units (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures)
Subdioecious, a tendency in some dioecious populations to produce monoecious plants. The population produces normally male or female plants but some are hermaphroditic, with female plants producing some male or hermaphroditic flowers or vice versa. The condition is thought to represent a transition between hermaphroditism and dioecism.
Gynomonoecious - has both hermaphrodite and female structures.
Andromonoecious - has both hermaphrodite and male structures.
Subandroecious - plant has mostly male flowers, with a few female or hermaphrodite flowers.
Subgynoecious - plant has mostly female flowers, with a few male or hermaphrodite flowers.
Polygamy - Plants with male, female and perfect (hermaphrodite) flowers on the same plant, called trimonoecious or polygamomonoecious plants. A polygamous inflorescence has both unisexual and bisexual flowers.
Imperfect Flower
A flower that has either all male parts or all female parts, but not both in the same flower. Examples: cucumbers, pumpkin, and melons.
Perfect Flower
A flower that has both the male parts and female parts in the same flower. Examples: roses, lilies, and dandelion.
Androecious - plants producing male flowers only, produce pollen but no seeds, the male plants of a dioecious population.
Gynoecious - plants producing female flowers only, produces seeds but no pollen, the female of a dioecious population. In some plant populations, all individuals are gynoecious with non sexual reproduction used to produce the next generation.
Monoecious - an individual that has both male and female reproductive units (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures) on the same plant; from Greek for "one household". Individuals bearing separate flowers of both sexes at the same time are called simultaneously or synchronously monoecious. Individuals that bear flowers of one sex at one time are called consecutively monoecioous; plants may first have single sexed flowers and then later have flowers of the other sex. Protoandrous describes individuals that function first as males and then change to females; protogynous describes individuals that function first as females and then change to males.
Hermaphrodite - A plant that has only bisexual reproductive units (flowers, conifer cones, or functionally equivalent structures)
Subdioecious, a tendency in some dioecious populations to produce monoecious plants. The population produces normally male or female plants but some are hermaphroditic, with female plants producing some male or hermaphroditic flowers or vice versa. The condition is thought to represent a transition between hermaphroditism and dioecism.
Gynomonoecious - has both hermaphrodite and female structures.
Andromonoecious - has both hermaphrodite and male structures.
Subandroecious - plant has mostly male flowers, with a few female or hermaphrodite flowers.
Subgynoecious - plant has mostly female flowers, with a few male or hermaphrodite flowers.
Polygamy - Plants with male, female and perfect (hermaphrodite) flowers on the same plant, called trimonoecious or polygamomonoecious plants. A polygamous inflorescence has both unisexual and bisexual flowers.
Imperfect Flower
A flower that has either all male parts or all female parts, but not both in the same flower. Examples: cucumbers, pumpkin, and melons.
Perfect Flower
A flower that has both the male parts and female parts in the same flower. Examples: roses, lilies, and dandelion.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Structure and Function
The female parts of a flower consist of an ovary, which contains one or more ovules, a style and the stigma. The ovary is at the base of the flower.
From the ovary, extends a tubular structure called the style and on the top of the style is a surface receptive to pollen called the stigma.
The stigma can take many different forms, most of them designed to help trap pollen. There are many variations on this basic structural theme.
After fertilization the ovule becomes the seed and the ovary becomes the fruit.
The Male Reproductive Organ is The Stamen. The male parts of a flower consist of one or more stamens. Each stamen is made up of paired anthers (sacs containing pollen) on a filament or stalk.
The anthers are the orange/yellow structures often seen in the centre of a flower.
Pollen from the anthers of one flower is transferred to the stigma of another usually either by wind, or by animals, especially insects.
PETALS, COROLLA, SEPALS, CALYX
The reproductive structures in higher plants are contained within flowers. Flowers have more than one petal, and the flower petals are collectively called the corolla. A flower bud is protected by green leafy structures called sepals. Collectively, all of the sepals form the calyx.
The corolla or petals are often brightly coloured with markings attractive to insects. The flowers may also be scented. For instance, Honeysuckle has showy, attractive flowers which attract insects by day. However, in the dark, their colourful show is not much use, and their heady scent then helps to attract night-flying moths.
In insect-pollinated plants, there are also usually nectaries which secrete sugary nectar, located within the flower. These provide an incentive to insects to visit the flowers. In the search for nectar, the insects will often get pollen grains caught on their bodies. This may then brush off onto the stigma of the next flower visited and in this way the flowers are pollinated.
The receptacle is the place on the stem where floral organs originate and attach.
Formation of Sex Cells
The sex cells of the flowering plant are called gametes. There are both male and female gametes thus the flower undergoes sexual reproduction.
Male Gametes
Pollen Formation: Development Of A Pollen Grain Within The Pollen Sac Of An Anther: A cross section of the developing anther displays four chambers. These chambers are called pollen sacs (see upper illustration). Each pollen sac is filled with cells containing large nuclei. As the anther grows, each of these cells goes through two meiotic divisions, forming a tetrad. These cells are called microspores. Each one of these microspores eventually becomes a pollen grain. Each pollen sac is enclosed by a protective epidermis and a fibrous layer. Inside the fibrous layer is the tapetum. This is a food store and will provide energy for future cell divisions.
Each pollen grain is surrounded by a tough protective wall called an exine. This is a tough covering that allows the pollen grain to survive harsh conditions for long periods of time. The intine is another thin protective coating.First, each nucleus divides by mitosis to become two nuclei. One is the tube nucleus. The other is a generative nucleus. The wall of the cell thickens to protect the developing pollen grain. As the anther ripens, the wall between the paired pollen sacs disappears. The pollen sacs burst open and the mature pollen grains are ready for dispersal.
Development of Embryo Sacs
Each ovary contains one or more ovules. The green structure at the top of the diagram is the ovule. The integuments are the 2 walls of the ovule. There is a small opening in the walls called a micropyle. This is where the pollen tube will enter. (Will be discussed later.) The nucellus is cells that provide nutrition for the growth of the ovule. The embryo sac, also known as the megaspore, divides by meiosis to form 4 haploid cells. Three of these cells degenerate and one remains. Only one megaspore survives in each ovule. This becomes the embryo sac. The haploid nucleus of the surviving megaspore undergoes three mitotic divisions. Eight haploid nuclei are now present. Within the swollen ‘megaspore cell’ six haploid cells and two ‘polar nuclei’ are formed. The entire structure is called the embryo sac. One of the cells near to the micropyle end of the ovule is the haploid female gamete (egg cell).
The Carpel With a Mature Embryo Sac will appear as shown below:
Individual plant sexuality
Many plants have complete flowers that have both male and female parts, others only have male or female parts and still other plants have flowers on the same plant that are a mix of male and female flowers. Some plants even have mixes that include all three types of flowers, where some flowers are only male, some are only female and some are both male and female.
A distinction needs to be made between arrangements of sexual parts and the expression of sexuality in single plants versus the larger plant population. Some plants also undergo what is called Sex-switching, like Arisaema triphyllum which express sexual differences at different stages of growth. In some arums smaller plants produce all or mostly male flowers and as plants grow larger over the years.
Information on Pics Taken
VANDEANOPSIS NELSON MANDELA
The Singapore Orchid Festival, held in the lush acreage of Singapore Botanic Gardens, had been organised to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Orchid Society of South East Asia and there were exhibitors, judges and enthusiasts from across the world. The Japanese had created an ambitious campfire tableau, featuring epidendrums with leaping flame-bright tongues. Row upon row of luscious round-pet
First found in 1888, its discovery helped to trigger the orchid delirium of the 19th century, when wealthy collectors - many of them British - sent plant hunters across the world in pursuit of rare species. It was perilous and highly competitive work and the plantsmen frequently vanished or died through accident, fever or foul play. They also drove many orchid species to the edge of extinction.
DENDROBIUM GYULA HORN
This hybrid was named after His Excellency Mr. Gyula Horn, the former prime minister of Hungary on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 18th April 1997.
LANTANA CAMARA
Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag or West Indian Lantana, is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the American tropics. Its native range includes Mexico, Central America, the Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is believed to be indigenous to the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States. Lantana camara has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is considered an invasive species in many tropical areas.
ARISAEMA TRIPHYLLUM(INDIAN TURNIP)
The spathe, known in this plant as "the pulpit" wraps around and covers over and contain a spadix ("Jack"), covered with tiny flowers of both sexes. The flowers are unisexual, in small plants most if not all the flowers are male, as plants age and grow larger the spadix produces more female flowers.
The fruit are smooth, shiny green, 1 cm wide berries clustered on the thickened spadix. The fruits ripen in late summer and fall, turning a bright red color before the plants go dormant. Each berry produces 1 to 5 seeds typically, the seeds are white to light tan in color, rounded, often with flattened edges and a short sharp point at the top and a rounded bottom surface. If the seeds are freed from the berry they will germinate the next spring, producing a plant with a single rounded leaf. Seedlings need three or more years of growth before they become large enough to flower. In addition the plant is not self pollinating since the male flowers on a specific plant have already matured and died before the female flowers of that same plant are mature. So the female flowers need to be pollinated by the male flowers of a different plant.
VANDA MISS JOAQUIM
Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen as Singapore's national flower in 1981. The designation of a national flower was part of an overall effort to foster national pride and identity.
strong inflorescence of Vanda Miss Joaquim may carry up to 12 buds, usually with four flowers open at a time. Each flower is about 5 cm across and 6 cm tall, and as is the case with its parents, the petals are twisted around so that the back surface faces front. The two petals and the top sepal are rosy-violet, and the lateral sepals are a pale mauve. The lip is very large and broad and the middle lobe extends out loke a fan. It is coloured violet- rose, merging into a contrasting fiery orange at the centre. Over the orange patch, the lip is finely spotted with dark purple. It is free-flowering.
Vanda Miss Joaquim requires full sunlight, free air movement, high humidity and heavy fertilising to achieve optimum growth and flowering. It needs support to grow straight and tall but it flowers only when the top of its stem rises above the support. It is a robust, sun loving plant with slender stems best grown in beds against post supports.
FLAMING BEAUTY
Botanical Name: Carphalea kirondron
Common Name: Flaming Beauty
Family name: Rubiaceae
Plant type: Indoor ornamental shrub of medium height (1.5 – 3 meters), originated from Madagascar. Mainly, a tropical bush!
Light: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate semi-shade
Moisture: Requires regular watering moderately
Soil: Grows best in consistently moist soil, preferably compost-enriched! This Flaming Beauty can be grown in containers or ground.
POLLINATION
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred in plants, thereby enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction. Pollen grains, which contain the male gametes (sperm) to where the female gamete(s) are contained within the carpel; in gymnosperms the pollen is directly applied to the ovule itself. The receptive part of the carpel is called a stigma in the flowers of angiosperms. The receptive part of the gymnosperm ovule is called the micropyle. Pollination is a necessary step in the reproduction of flowering plants, resulting in the production of offspring that are genetically diverse.
The study of pollination brings together many disciplines, such as botany, horticulture, entomology, and ecology. The pollination process as an interaction between flower and vector was first addressed in the 18th century by Christian Konrad Sprengel. It is important in horticulture and agriculture, because fruiting is dependent on fertilisation, which is the end result of pollination.
Biotic Pollination
More commonly, the process of pollination requires pollinators: organisms that carry or move the pollen grains from the anther to the receptive part of the carpel or pistil. This is biotic pollination. The various flower traits (and combinations thereof) that differentially attract one type of pollinator or another are known as pollination syndromes.
There are roughly 200,000 varieties of animal pollinators in the wild, most of which are insects. Entomophily, pollination by insects, often occurs on plants that have developed colored petals and a strong scent to attract insects such as, bees, wasps and occasionally ants (Hymenoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and flies (Diptera). In Zoophily, pollination is done by vertebrates such as birds and bats, particularly, hummingbirds, sunbirds, spiderhunters, honeyeaters, and fruit bats. Plants adapted to using bats or moths as pollinators typically have white petals and a strong scent, while plants that use birds as pollinators tend to develop red petals and rarely develop a scent (few birds have a sense of smell).
Self Pollination
It is the transference of the pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of either the same or of another flower borne on the same plant.Autogamy
The pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower. It occurs in bisexual flowers.
Geitonogamy
Flower is pollinated by pollen from another flower on the same plant.
Cross Pollination
It is the transference of the pollen grains from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower borne on a different plant of the same species. It is also known as allogamy or xenogamy.
Cross pollination requires the help of abiotic or biotic agencies such as wind, water, insects, birds, bats, snails and other animals.
Anemophily or Wind Pollination
It is the simplest form of pollination, through the agency of wind. The wind pollinated flowers show the following characteristics.
a) The flowers are unisexual
Example: Poplars
b) Stamens are freely exposed with versatile anthers
Example: Cereals
c) The pollen grains are light, smooth, dry and not easily wetted by rain.
d) The pollen grains are produced in enormous quantities.
Example: A single flower of Cannabis produces over 5,00,000 pollen grains.
e) The stigmas are large, feathery and well exposed to catch the pollen grains.
f) The flowers are small, inconspicuous with no colour, odour or nectar
Examples: Coconut, palm, maize, grasses etc.
The Singapore Orchid Festival, held in the lush acreage of Singapore Botanic Gardens, had been organised to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Orchid Society of South East Asia and there were exhibitors, judges and enthusiasts from across the world. The Japanese had created an ambitious campfire tableau, featuring epidendrums with leaping flame-bright tongues. Row upon row of luscious round-pet
First found in 1888, its discovery helped to trigger the orchid delirium of the 19th century, when wealthy collectors - many of them British - sent plant hunters across the world in pursuit of rare species. It was perilous and highly competitive work and the plantsmen frequently vanished or died through accident, fever or foul play. They also drove many orchid species to the edge of extinction.
DENDROBIUM GYULA HORN
This hybrid was named after His Excellency Mr. Gyula Horn, the former prime minister of Hungary on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 18th April 1997.
LANTANA CAMARA
Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag or West Indian Lantana, is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the American tropics. Its native range includes Mexico, Central America, the Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is believed to be indigenous to the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States. Lantana camara has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is considered an invasive species in many tropical areas.
ARISAEMA TRIPHYLLUM(INDIAN TURNIP)
The spathe, known in this plant as "the pulpit" wraps around and covers over and contain a spadix ("Jack"), covered with tiny flowers of both sexes. The flowers are unisexual, in small plants most if not all the flowers are male, as plants age and grow larger the spadix produces more female flowers.
The fruit are smooth, shiny green, 1 cm wide berries clustered on the thickened spadix. The fruits ripen in late summer and fall, turning a bright red color before the plants go dormant. Each berry produces 1 to 5 seeds typically, the seeds are white to light tan in color, rounded, often with flattened edges and a short sharp point at the top and a rounded bottom surface. If the seeds are freed from the berry they will germinate the next spring, producing a plant with a single rounded leaf. Seedlings need three or more years of growth before they become large enough to flower. In addition the plant is not self pollinating since the male flowers on a specific plant have already matured and died before the female flowers of that same plant are mature. So the female flowers need to be pollinated by the male flowers of a different plant.
VANDA MISS JOAQUIM
Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen as Singapore's national flower in 1981. The designation of a national flower was part of an overall effort to foster national pride and identity.
strong inflorescence of Vanda Miss Joaquim may carry up to 12 buds, usually with four flowers open at a time. Each flower is about 5 cm across and 6 cm tall, and as is the case with its parents, the petals are twisted around so that the back surface faces front. The two petals and the top sepal are rosy-violet, and the lateral sepals are a pale mauve. The lip is very large and broad and the middle lobe extends out loke a fan. It is coloured violet- rose, merging into a contrasting fiery orange at the centre. Over the orange patch, the lip is finely spotted with dark purple. It is free-flowering.
Vanda Miss Joaquim requires full sunlight, free air movement, high humidity and heavy fertilising to achieve optimum growth and flowering. It needs support to grow straight and tall but it flowers only when the top of its stem rises above the support. It is a robust, sun loving plant with slender stems best grown in beds against post supports.
FLAMING BEAUTY
Botanical Name: Carphalea kirondron
Common Name: Flaming Beauty
Family name: Rubiaceae
Plant type: Indoor ornamental shrub of medium height (1.5 – 3 meters), originated from Madagascar. Mainly, a tropical bush!
Light: Prefers full sun, but can tolerate semi-shade
Moisture: Requires regular watering moderately
Soil: Grows best in consistently moist soil, preferably compost-enriched! This Flaming Beauty can be grown in containers or ground.
POLLINATION
Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred in plants, thereby enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction. Pollen grains, which contain the male gametes (sperm) to where the female gamete(s) are contained within the carpel; in gymnosperms the pollen is directly applied to the ovule itself. The receptive part of the carpel is called a stigma in the flowers of angiosperms. The receptive part of the gymnosperm ovule is called the micropyle. Pollination is a necessary step in the reproduction of flowering plants, resulting in the production of offspring that are genetically diverse.
The study of pollination brings together many disciplines, such as botany, horticulture, entomology, and ecology. The pollination process as an interaction between flower and vector was first addressed in the 18th century by Christian Konrad Sprengel. It is important in horticulture and agriculture, because fruiting is dependent on fertilisation, which is the end result of pollination.
Biotic Pollination
More commonly, the process of pollination requires pollinators: organisms that carry or move the pollen grains from the anther to the receptive part of the carpel or pistil. This is biotic pollination. The various flower traits (and combinations thereof) that differentially attract one type of pollinator or another are known as pollination syndromes.
There are roughly 200,000 varieties of animal pollinators in the wild, most of which are insects. Entomophily, pollination by insects, often occurs on plants that have developed colored petals and a strong scent to attract insects such as, bees, wasps and occasionally ants (Hymenoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and flies (Diptera). In Zoophily, pollination is done by vertebrates such as birds and bats, particularly, hummingbirds, sunbirds, spiderhunters, honeyeaters, and fruit bats. Plants adapted to using bats or moths as pollinators typically have white petals and a strong scent, while plants that use birds as pollinators tend to develop red petals and rarely develop a scent (few birds have a sense of smell).
Self Pollination
It is the transference of the pollen grains from the anther to the stigma of either the same or of another flower borne on the same plant.Autogamy
The pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower. It occurs in bisexual flowers.
Geitonogamy
Flower is pollinated by pollen from another flower on the same plant.
Cross Pollination
It is the transference of the pollen grains from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower borne on a different plant of the same species. It is also known as allogamy or xenogamy.
Cross pollination requires the help of abiotic or biotic agencies such as wind, water, insects, birds, bats, snails and other animals.
Anemophily or Wind Pollination
It is the simplest form of pollination, through the agency of wind. The wind pollinated flowers show the following characteristics.
a) The flowers are unisexual
Example: Poplars
b) Stamens are freely exposed with versatile anthers
Example: Cereals
c) The pollen grains are light, smooth, dry and not easily wetted by rain.
d) The pollen grains are produced in enormous quantities.
Example: A single flower of Cannabis produces over 5,00,000 pollen grains.
e) The stigmas are large, feathery and well exposed to catch the pollen grains.
f) The flowers are small, inconspicuous with no colour, odour or nectar
Examples: Coconut, palm, maize, grasses etc.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Botanic Gardens Assignment(History)
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a dynamic and living monument to the foresight of the founding fathers of Singapore. Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore and a keen naturalist, established the first botanical and experimental garden on Government Hill (Fort Canning Hill) in 1822, shortly after his arrival in Singapore. He aimed to introduce cultivation of economic crops such as cocoa and nutmeg. However, without a full-time salaried director and sufficient funding, the garden languished and was closed in 1829, after Raffles' death.
The Gardens at its present site was founded in 1859 by an Agri-Horticultural Society. Planned as a leisure garden and ornamental park, the Society organised flower shows and horticultural fetes. In 1874, the Society handed over management and maintenance of the site to the government. The scientific mission of the Gardens evolved when the colonial government assumed management and deployed Kew-trained botanists and horticulturists to administer the Gardens.
It is fair to say that the history of the Gardens is in many respects the history of its dedicated administrators. The Gardens' first Director, Henry Nicholas Ridley, came to the Gardens in 1888 and worked tirelessly for the next 23 years to usher the Gardens into the twentieth century and its most productive period historically. Ridley's zealous persistence in persuading Malaya's planters to grow rubber trees earned him less than flattering nicknames such as "Mad Ridley" and "Rubber Ridley". During the 1890s and early 1900s, Ridley devised successful propagation methods and also discovered a way to harvest commercial quantities of latex without harming or killing the trees. He advocated the large-scale cultivation of rubber in Malaya. Planters in Malaya largely ignored Ridley until their coffee plantations were devastated by disease and they desperately required a new cash crop. During this time, demand for rubber soared as the automobile industry boomed. As Ridley had turned the Gardens forest clearings and waste land over to rubber, the Gardens had a ready source of seed supply when the rubber rush came. The Gardens' revenue multiplied greatly as the region became a major market for the rubber trade. The plants at the Botanic Gardens became the basis for Southeast Asia's rubber industry, an industry that generated fortunes.
It was also during Ridley's administration that Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, was discovered. An Armenian lady, Agnes Joaquim was in her garden when a new hybrid caught her attention. Thrilled with the beautiful discovery, she rushed to Ridley with the plant. Ridley confirmed that a new orchid hybrid, previously unknown to science and that flowered freely year round has been created.
Beginning in 1928, Professor Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 - 1949, set up laboratories and conducted the first experiments in orchid breeding and hybridisation. The results of these experiments, free flowering and hardy orchid hybrids laid the foundation for the multi-million dollar cut flower industry. Since then, outstanding hybrids have been cultivated in the Gardens and received recognition worldwide.
By the mid 1960s, the Gardens was taking a leading role in the greening of Singapore. To meet the need for urban landscapes and recreational areas, the Gardens' staff became involved in supplying planting material and in plant introduction to increase the variety and colour in road side and park plantings.
In 1973, the Botanic Gardens merged with the Parks and Trees branch of the Public Works Department, which became the Parks and Recreation Department.
In 1988, a big leap forward occurred when Dr Tan Wee Kiat became Director of the Gardens. While the Gardens remained committed to its role in making Singapore a Garden City and meeting recreational needs, renewed focus on being a leading international institution for tropical botany was established. Excellence in botanical research, education programmes and preservation of the cultural heritage of the Gardens were emphasised. Under Dr Tan's direction, the 3-hectares National Orchid Garden, a major tourist attraction today, was established.
In June 1990, Singapore Botanic Gardens came under the management of the newly formed National Parks Board. The Gardens embarked upon a comprehensive improvement programme to bring it to the forefront of botanical and horticultural activity by the 21st century. Dr Tan became the Chief Executive Officer of this new National Parks Board. In July 1996, the Ministry of National Development merged the National Parks Board and the Parks and Recreation Department into a single authority to look after the greening and beautification of Singapore. The name of the authority, a statutory board remains as National Parks Board. Dr Chin See Chung took over the challenging role of Director of the Gardens. Besides continuing the Gardens' traditional roles in research, education and conservation, Dr Chin is steering the Gardens on a long term upgrading programme to provide better public facilities and amenities. New attractions, such as the Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Coolhouse and the Children's Garden are being added to keep the Gardens relevant as a leading destination.
Today, under the continued stewardship of Dr Chin, the Gardens is geared towards entrenching itself as a tropical botanical institution of international renown, a key tourist destination and a flagship park.
The Gardens at its present site was founded in 1859 by an Agri-Horticultural Society. Planned as a leisure garden and ornamental park, the Society organised flower shows and horticultural fetes. In 1874, the Society handed over management and maintenance of the site to the government. The scientific mission of the Gardens evolved when the colonial government assumed management and deployed Kew-trained botanists and horticulturists to administer the Gardens.
It is fair to say that the history of the Gardens is in many respects the history of its dedicated administrators. The Gardens' first Director, Henry Nicholas Ridley, came to the Gardens in 1888 and worked tirelessly for the next 23 years to usher the Gardens into the twentieth century and its most productive period historically. Ridley's zealous persistence in persuading Malaya's planters to grow rubber trees earned him less than flattering nicknames such as "Mad Ridley" and "Rubber Ridley". During the 1890s and early 1900s, Ridley devised successful propagation methods and also discovered a way to harvest commercial quantities of latex without harming or killing the trees. He advocated the large-scale cultivation of rubber in Malaya. Planters in Malaya largely ignored Ridley until their coffee plantations were devastated by disease and they desperately required a new cash crop. During this time, demand for rubber soared as the automobile industry boomed. As Ridley had turned the Gardens forest clearings and waste land over to rubber, the Gardens had a ready source of seed supply when the rubber rush came. The Gardens' revenue multiplied greatly as the region became a major market for the rubber trade. The plants at the Botanic Gardens became the basis for Southeast Asia's rubber industry, an industry that generated fortunes.
It was also during Ridley's administration that Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, was discovered. An Armenian lady, Agnes Joaquim was in her garden when a new hybrid caught her attention. Thrilled with the beautiful discovery, she rushed to Ridley with the plant. Ridley confirmed that a new orchid hybrid, previously unknown to science and that flowered freely year round has been created.
Beginning in 1928, Professor Eric Holttum, Director of the Gardens from 1925 - 1949, set up laboratories and conducted the first experiments in orchid breeding and hybridisation. The results of these experiments, free flowering and hardy orchid hybrids laid the foundation for the multi-million dollar cut flower industry. Since then, outstanding hybrids have been cultivated in the Gardens and received recognition worldwide.
By the mid 1960s, the Gardens was taking a leading role in the greening of Singapore. To meet the need for urban landscapes and recreational areas, the Gardens' staff became involved in supplying planting material and in plant introduction to increase the variety and colour in road side and park plantings.
In 1973, the Botanic Gardens merged with the Parks and Trees branch of the Public Works Department, which became the Parks and Recreation Department.
In 1988, a big leap forward occurred when Dr Tan Wee Kiat became Director of the Gardens. While the Gardens remained committed to its role in making Singapore a Garden City and meeting recreational needs, renewed focus on being a leading international institution for tropical botany was established. Excellence in botanical research, education programmes and preservation of the cultural heritage of the Gardens were emphasised. Under Dr Tan's direction, the 3-hectares National Orchid Garden, a major tourist attraction today, was established.
In June 1990, Singapore Botanic Gardens came under the management of the newly formed National Parks Board. The Gardens embarked upon a comprehensive improvement programme to bring it to the forefront of botanical and horticultural activity by the 21st century. Dr Tan became the Chief Executive Officer of this new National Parks Board. In July 1996, the Ministry of National Development merged the National Parks Board and the Parks and Recreation Department into a single authority to look after the greening and beautification of Singapore. The name of the authority, a statutory board remains as National Parks Board. Dr Chin See Chung took over the challenging role of Director of the Gardens. Besides continuing the Gardens' traditional roles in research, education and conservation, Dr Chin is steering the Gardens on a long term upgrading programme to provide better public facilities and amenities. New attractions, such as the Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Coolhouse and the Children's Garden are being added to keep the Gardens relevant as a leading destination.
Today, under the continued stewardship of Dr Chin, the Gardens is geared towards entrenching itself as a tropical botanical institution of international renown, a key tourist destination and a flagship park.
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