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Malaysia is a paradise of fascinating sights and
attractions, well-known for its rich and enormous variety of flora
which range from many thousands of species from all over Peninsular
Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. It is estimated that
over 15,000 flowering plant species are found in Malaysia. The
flowering plants include some 2,000 type of trees, including 200
different palms and 3,000 species of orchids. In addition to that, the
world's largest flower, 'the giant rafflesia' (also known as a corpse
lily), as well as the largest pitcher plant, 'the Nepenthes rajah',
which can hold up to 2 liters of water, also grow here. The plants
come in a tremendous diversity in plant species varying in color,
shape, texture and density of leaves.
Sacred Lotus (Nelumbium nelumbo)
Sacred Lotus is an aquatic perennial, originally from
Indonesian and India. The Sacred Lotus (Nelumbium nelumbo) has great
significance in Eastern religion. This flower is especially sacred to
Buddhist to whom it represents the perpetual cycles or reincarnation.
It grows up to a height of 19 feet depending on the depth of a swamp
or creek it grows in. The roots of the sacred lotus are firmly planted
in the mud beneath the water surface. It has a long stem to which the
leaves and flowers are attached. The big circular leaves float on the
surface and the flowers grow above it. The pink or white sacred lotus
blooms early in the morning and the petals will wilt the later hours
of daylight. The fruit is a conical shaped pod with the seeds
arranged in the holes. When the seeds are ripe, they are released when
the pod bends down towards the water. The flowers, seeds, young leaves
and rhizomes are edible, while the big mature leaves, 2 feet in
diameter, are used to wrap steamed food.
Hydrangea macrophylla is native to Japan and Korea.
This shrub can be naturalized in compatible climates. It is a
deciduous shrub, growing 1-3 meters tall. The leaves grow opposite
each other, in simple ovoid-acute size, 7-20 cm long, with a coarsely
toothed margin. Its flowers are pink, white, or blue, depending on
soul pH. In acidic soil, the flowers will be blue, whereas in alkaline
soil, the flowers will be pink. In neutral soil flowers will be
purple. Hydrangea macrophylla has been cultivated for many years as an
ornamental plant in Japan, and in the last 150 years, it is also
extensively bred in other areas of the world with a temperate climate.
In warm climates, Hydrangea macrophhylla is good for
adding a splash of spring time color to shady areas and woodland
gardens. Minimal pruning is recommended for most prolific flowering.
Flowers are easily air dried and are long lasting.
Hippeastrum reticulatum is a bulb-bearing herb from
southern Brazil. This plant has a fleshy and straight stalk with three
or more flowers. Grown from bulbs, the flowers are trumpet shaped, and
pink in color with white veins. The flower naturally reaches a
diameter of about 3 inches. Typical broad strap-shaped leaves are dark
green with clear white stripe down the center. The gorgeous flowers
are pink with darker reticulations. It does not have a dormant period.
This selection is a slow grower and is not as large as other clones.
This flower is normally grown to be used in flower arrangements and as
This woody climbers were introduced from South
America. The long vine are thorny and the alternate ovate elliptical
leaves are hairy. The small flowers are surrounded by large papery
bracts. An evergreen shrubbery vine, Bougainvillea is popular for its
long-lasting, colorful flower bracts which appear periodically
throughout the year. Most common colors of the bracts are magenta,
purple, white, orange and crimson, though 'rainbow' bougainvilleas
with flowers of two colors on the same plant are common today.
Bougainvillea can grow on its own as a sprawling shrub, or allowed to
grow naturally where it will quickly cover fences or climb onto trees.
Ipomoea indica is a tender perennial with heart-shaped
leaves and with flowers produced daily from a dense clustered
inflorescence. It grows up to 7 cm long, tubular and arranged in
clusters of 3 to 12 flowers. Ipomoea indica is a native of Hawaii and
the New World tropics, but it has become an invasive species in
Australia. It is also present in Asia, although they grow in
subtropical and temperate regions.
Morning glory is a common name for a number of species
of flowering plants in the family of Vonvolvulaceae. The Morning Glory
flowers often show marks where the corolla was neatly folded or rolled
up in the bud. The flowers will start to fade 2 hours before the
petals start to curl in. Morning glory is one of the best flowers to
decorate fences and walls. Today, Ipomoea indica is found throughout
the tropics, scrambling over fences and over woody plants, often to
their detriment. However, it is delight when in bloom.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the state flower of Hawaii,
and also the national flower of Malaysia. Also known as the Chinese
hibiscus, it is probably the most popular and widely planted shrub of
the tropics. It is believed to be native to China and came to the
world bay via South Pacific and Hawaii. This plant creates a bold
effect with its medium textured, glossy and dark green leaves and
vibrantly colored, four to eight-inch-wide, showy flowers, produced
throughout the year. Cultivars are available with the combination of
single or double flowers in shades of white, pink. red, yellow, peach,
or orange, or combination of all these. Hibiscus flowers are basically
characterized as single or double forms of variations in the number
and arrangement of petals.
Flowers are produced continuously in great abundance,
making up for the fact that each flower will last only for one or two
days with the blossoms opening early in the morning and wilting by
late afternoon. Most hibiscuses are odorless, but some of the basic
varieties have a light scent. The Hibiscus, Malaysia's nation flower
is the pride of the country which signifies the country's strength,
unity and independence.
|Date of Issue
||31 December 2007
||5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 30 sen, 40
sen and 50 sen
||27mm x 32mm