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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Wild Weeds in our Property

Weeds are unwanted plants. They grow anywhere if favorable conditions are available. In the tropics, a lot of weeds are growing profusely, competing with crop plants and other weeds. They are mostly colonizers or  invading species. Just recently, i saw some plants which i have not been paying much attention in the past. I am posting three of them, they are of different characteristics and from different habitats. Two are short small annuals, and the other is a big climbing perennial.

This one is a roadside weed, immediately producing blooms a few weeks after the rains. It might look nice in photos, but may give problems to farmers if they are present in their cultivated farms. The seeds mature early and a lot of them will be invading properties soonest because those seeds can easily be transported by wind and water through run-offs.

 At first sight i thought this is a terrestrial orchid as the leaves look like a Bulbophyllum. I didn't look at the underground parts because we didn't have much time as there is an impending heavy rains. I am so glad i had my camera with me though. There are several pink flowers borne at the tip of a single spike. It really looks like an orchid, however i also didn't look at the morphology of the flower, so I wouldn't know. In haste i was not even able to get a flower to inspect at home. Next time i promise to do just that. At the moment I cannot resist posting it at once to share with you!

That is the size of the flowers in relation to the full plant. It definitely is a monocot. At leat that I am very sure.  It is growing in the almost dense and very humid undisturbed area beneath the coconuts and other big trees. It receives only very low sunlight seeping through the canopy of tall vegetation. I guess it needs the undisturbed microclimate there with a lot of organic matter and rich topsoil.

Bottom of the tree fully covered by the climbing vine

 This vine is perennially here even during the very hot dry season. It is not a parasite as it only clings to the trunk of the tree to grow upward and see sunlight. It is an epiphyte or a plant that grows on another plant for support but not for nutrients. Earlier, I thought this is a Monstera deliciosa, the leaves are very similar. However, through the decades it is growing there, i still haven't seen it flower. So the name might not be correct, my second guess is Philodendron. They both have the same habit and morphology and I still cannot ask an authority on the subject for its real name. But most probably, it is a philodendron.
 middle portion of the tree still occupied with the climbing vine

the top of the tree trunk profusely covered with the climbing vine

The tree which supports the climbing vine is an Artocarpus blancoi, we locally call antipolo. The base of the trunk can be around 4-5 feet in diameter, while the height might be of a 5 storey building. Some furniture makers are already asking us to sell it, but I don't agree for its significance and importance in the property and our environs. Besides, some birds roost in its canopy and if you kill the tree, what will become of this profusely growing old philodendron. We are not ready to destroy such richness! 

  

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19 comments:

  1. WOW!!! I love the Philodrendron!!! In the tropics this variety grows up the tree and I always get jealous because it's such a beautiful plant. And weeds!!! They're a sign of a healthy garden but I have been picking them left and right out of the dirt everytime I go to the car:)

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  2. Such a beautiful diversity that creates a rich micro-climate that contributes the ecosystem of a rainforest. I'm very sure that you will not find the same type of plants in each zone of the forest area as they plants keep changing and so is the forest season by season.

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    1. Oh James i think you are confused! I am a biologist-horticulturist-ecologist, environmental scientist, so I guess i should be the one to lecture on you. hahaha!

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  3. I love seeing pictures of plants on your property. That philodendron and the tree it's climbing on...both impressive! I think we also have a similar looking plant (the first photo) on our roadsides. The second...that I have not come across. Thanks to blogging the sight of all kinds of blooms is worth remembering!:)

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  4. You have great knowledge of your plants and passionate views, reminding me to not just get carried away with the beauty and the rose tinted specs, thank you:~))

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  5. Chwasty też potrafią być piękne. Wspaniale wygląda drzewo obrośnięte inną rośliną. Pozdrawiam i dziękuję za miłą wizytę.
    Weeds can also be beautiful. It looks great tree overgrown with another plant. Cheers and thank you for your kind visit.

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    1. Witam i dziękuję za miłą wizytę. U mnie pierwsze grzyby te czerwone są trujące, ale drugie to jadalne i pyszne. Pozdrawiam.
      Hello and thank you for your kind visit. For me, the first mushrooms are poisonous red, but the other is edible and delicious. Yours.

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    2. Thanks Giga, I've just had food poisoning last week and brought myself to the ER. I posted the experience in my other blog. The culprit was mushroom, a few days already in the refrigerator but still looking fresh. I cooked it well, and whoooo, i was in danger!

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  6. We have a lot of weeds as well, but they don't grow quite as quickly or as big as yours do.

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    1. Yes George, and I observed the understories of forests in cold climates are not full of a lot of plants as weeds, vines, bushes, etc. You can easily walk through your forest floor.

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  7. Interesting photos of very special plants.

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  8. What is a weed?
    Just a plant in the wrong place:(
    Besides that I enjoyed your pictures.
    Thank you for commenting on my Guildwood Blog -
    invasive species in my garden.
    Hope you are o.k.
    - Cheers Gisela.

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    1. Thank you very much Gisela, for the visit and concern. I am fine now, in fact i am excited going to the Philippine Orchid Society Show which started yesterday! More pics to come.

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  9. Sometimes, I am totally amazed how some plants thrive and survive. Your shots are proof that plants do their best with what they have.

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  10. Your property is a treasure chest of mother natures many gifts. So kind of you to offer the old tree for wildlife to nest and thrive.

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    1. Yes AB, sacrificing the income from the big tree for the environment protection and the biodiversity which needs it is one of my contributions to our beloved earth and its inhabitants. :-)

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  11. Weeds or not, they're still very pretty!

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  12. Very nice shots of these beautiful weeds!
    Thanks for sharing. And thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment;o)

    ***
    Have a nice week****

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