Saturday 14 April 2012

Hunting The Strongylodon

If you read the last post you'll remember that while wandering around the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge I was advised by a six-year-old plant expert that I simply must visit the Jade Vine which was in flower in the big greenhouse. So lets get over there....


The glasshouses are subdivided to give different climates to suit plants from different parts of the world. The sections are linked together by a corridor. And of course I got sidetracked into taking photos, even in the corridor....


One day I'll go to the Botanics and just concentrate on taking foliage shots. But not today because the Alpine house beckons....


I could have spent a lot longer with the Alpines but decided to press on to visit this fabulous Jade Vine which my young friend had told me about. But not before we have a look at some tulips....


Then there is a magnificent collection of orchids and you simply can't miss them...


But, despite all the distractions, I finally made it to the Tropical House and, after de-misting my specs, started to take in my surroundings...


The pond contained goldfish and some rather splendid aquatic plants....


Then, rounding the corner, I found myself face-to-face with the flowers of the fabled Jade Vine...


Yes, they really are that colour! This native of the Philippines, posh name Strongylodon macrobotrys, is apparently pollinated by bats which hang upside-down to drink the nectar. It's said to be related to our runner beans and be very difficult to propagate - without the aid of an upside-down bat, that is. I tried to get a picture of the whole vine which has climbed right across the walkway but people kept getting into the shot. This young man with the "butter-wouldn't-melt..." expression was the most photogenic intruder....


Shortly afterwards he was being told off by his mum for climbing in among the exhibits. It seemed like time to leave.

Thanks to Sandy from "Witterings" blogspot for the link to Kew Garden's page about the Jade Vine.

Take care.

17 comments:

  1. How sweet the alpines in their little terra-cotta planters . Pretty special in the Tropical House too (loved that green and deep pinks orchid). So that's the Jade Vine; had no concept of this and surprising flower colour. Wow and so much of it hanging in there/your last shot. Thanks for the tour John.

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  2. My trip to Cambridge last year was too fleeting to even get near the Botanic gardens but it all looks quite lovely (I do enjoy Edinburghs from time to time)

    Thanks for the mention.

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  3. The Jade Vine was certainly worth the trip. Bet you had to demist your camera lens, too!

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  4. I enjoyed the journey with you to see these exotic plants. I really like that photo with the boy in it as it shows the relative size of the Strongylodon macrobotrys.

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  5. Amazing little bunches of fairy slippers with their turned up toes--such an exotic plant, but I love all the others too!

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  6. What a neat plant. Having the little guy in the photo helps give it a good size reference. Like that second shot of what appears a palm leaf of some sort.

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  7. The Jade Vine is fabulpus, your young expert was absolutely right:) Yet another reason to visit Cambridge Botanical Gardens.

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  8. Gosh that was certainly worth the trip to the Tropical House John, the colour is gorgeous! In the last image it looks a little like 'oriental' wisteria don't you think!!

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  9. Thank you for a wonderful trip to one who will probably never get there. But then, I just have! Lovely!

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  10. Yes, thank you John, for taking us along. Most amazing vine. We have nothing close to us with tropical plants. Did visit Kew Gardens when we stayed in Teddington for a week (my mother's birthplace) but I doubt if we will ever get that far away from home again, so your travels in England are an especially nice treat.

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  11. Sounds much like the Birmingham Bontanical Gardens which we visited last July, except Birmingham doesn't have a fabulous Jade Vine - I've never seen one before, what a great plant!

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  12. That's a beautiful fountain -I'm sure it sounds lovely too. The Jade Vine is lots of fun -such an unusual shape as well as colour. I really like the irregular spots on the orchids - very pleasing patterns. Looks like you had a very enjoyable outing. A great place to visit.

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  13. You were well-advised to see the Jade Vine - it's amazing. What an unusual colour.

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  14. Love those mini Koi! (he.he.he)...

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  15. Another fine post, John. The little kid knew what he was talking about. That jade vine is amazing!

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  16. What a beautiful colour the plant is! I remember visiting the gardens a few years ago but don't remember seeing the Jade Vine so thank you for the wonderful photos:)

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  17. Glad you all enjoyed your visit, whether you may get there one day or think it unlikely.
    Hey, Rowan, "fabulpus" is a wonderful word!

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