Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Fern Crozier

The most interesting part that i like so much about fern is -crozier. For anyone don't have any idea what crozier is...let me explain in simple way..
Young fronds are typically coiled that look like fiddleheads are known as crozier. As the young frond matures, the coiled tips unfold and the shape of the frond slowly becomes obvious. In a number of species the newly unfolded fronds are colourful, showing shades of pink, red or purple. Mature fronds may also show colours.
Here, i had some pictures of crozier that was taken during my project sampling at Bukit Nanas Reserved Forest.


This is the fiddlehead/Crozier on this fern and it is the beginning of the frond unfolding.



Fiddlehead/Crozier on another tree Fern.


Sunday, October 21, 2007

Fern Garden at the Botanical Garden in Putrajaya-Part 2

Drynaria quercifolia
This is an epiphyte of lowlands rainforest, secondary forest, rubber plantations, urban areas and wayside trees. Produces fronds of two kinds - nest and foliage. Nest leaves are short-lived fronds that turn brown and hard, and persist as closely-overlapping 'armour plates' around the creeping rhizome. They also function as 'trappers' of debris and as 'funnels' directing nutrient-enriched run-offs of rain water from the tree canopy to the rhizome. The long and feathery foliage leaves, on the other hand, serve as photosynthetic leaves and are capable of producing spores.

Drynaria rigidula
This is an epiphyte of mountain forests that grows on old trees and even on rocky outcrops.



Sori in regular rows on either side of the midvein of the pinnae and make a bulge on the front.


Lygodium circinnatum
Knowns as Malay Climbing Fern and grows over shrubs and high into trees, in open places and in forests. The texture of the lamina is thick and the secondary rachis-branches almost glabrous.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Fern Garden at the Botanical Garden in Putrajaya - Part 1















I went to Putrajaya Botanical Garden which is 230 acres wide. There are 700 species of ornamental plants here and these diverse species are group into several small garden. The first garden that I visited was the fern garden because I wanted to experience the fern available in the garden furthermore my project is to study on fern in the city forest.
















The highlight of the Fern Garden is a pergola constructed out of timber. Here wooden slats reduce the amount of light to the level that most fern prefer.


Some collection of ferns species at Fern Garden in Putrajaya Botanical Garden:
















Adiantum raddianum

Also knowns as ‘Delta Maidenhair Fern’ and this is the one of the 150 species of Maidenhair Fern. Mostly grown as garden plants for their delicately patterned leaves.















Asplenium nidus

This is the most commonly planted fern in Putrajaya Botanical Garden as a landscape plant. This species is also known as Paku Sarang Burung/Paku Langsuyur (Malay name)or Bird Nest Fern. This fern is common in the wild and it is a large epiphyte. The fern leaves (lamina) are large and simple, like small banana leaves, arranged in circles ; they can be 2 to 4 feet long and 3 to 8 inches wide.















Blechnum orientale

Known as Paku Ular/Paku Ikan/Paku Ubi (Malay names). Fronds are pinnate with numerous long narrow entire pinnae bearing linear sori close to the costae. This fern is considered edible and a poultice made from this fronds is a recommended treatment for boils.















Diplazium esculentum

Formerly identified as Athyrium esculentum. Known as Pucuk Paku,/Paku Tanjung/Paku Benar/Paku Besar (Malay Name). Common wild fern found mostly in moist areas, particularly partially shaded riverbanks. Young fronds are eaten cooked or raw.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Hello World!!

Hello World!!!

My brand new blog has been setup and running successfully and thank to the tricks and tips from my beloved Prof. Kamaruddin Mat Salleh.