Moon Orchid

Description
Scientific Names: Phalaenopsis amabilis
Common Names: Moon Orchid, Moth Orchid, Butterfly Plant, Anggrek Bulan (Indonesia)
Plant Type: Small-size vines flower.
Height: 12-18 inch (30-45 cm). Flowers can grow up to 10cm even more.
Native Habitat: Grow in warm conditions. Way of life with a stick in epiphyte on trunk or branches of trees in rainforest and lives up to 600 meters above sea level. Can also be maintained in a pot in medium fir bark and keep in partial shade. Water about once a week. Keep plant fairly moist but not wet.
Native Range: This species is usually found in the eastern to the Southeastern regions of Asia. Plants in this genus are typically widespread in the areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua, up to Australia.
Conservation Status: This plant in Indonesia is categorized as a protected plant. This is done as an effort to maintain the viability of this plant.

Related Species: 

• Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. amabilis (Indonesia to Papuasia).
• Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. amabilis forma Grandiflora (Philippines - Palawan island).
• Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. moluccana (Northeastern Borneo to the Moluccas).
• Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii (New Guinea to Queensland).

Flowering Time: Orchids are sporadic bloomers and, if happy, could flower up to 3 times each year.

Moon Orchid was first discovered on a small island off the east coast of New Guinea by local botanists Georgius Rumphius Everhardus in 1653, but he called it Angraecum majus ablum. It remained undiscovered until 1825, when Karl Ludwig Blume discovered in the same way and gave him the name is known by now. Phalaenopsis amabilis included in monopodial orchids are like little natural light as a supporter of his life. Green leaves with elongated shapes. The roots are white and elongated round shape and fleshy feel. Most are epiphytic shade plants. In the wild they are typically found below the canopies of moist and humid lowland forests, protected against direct sunlight, but equally in seasonally dry or cool environments. The species have adapted individually to these three habitats.

Phalaenopsis amabilis are the largest family of flowering plants. The numerous hybrids of mainly tropical origin are of great horticultural significance. The wild ancestor species of many of these hybrids are now endangered because of habitat destruction, especially through the loss of tropical lowland and montane primary forest . Phalaenopsis hybrids have great economic value as house and garden plants as well as cut flowers. Recently, many wild species of Phalaenopsis amabilis are extremely rare in nature because of habitat loss as well as overcollection. Phalaenopsis amabilis, with its large white flowers, is one of the most important ancestor species of Phalaenopsis hybrids. These hybrids are usually clonally propagated. A problem in this respect is the circumstance that seedlings initially form only a single vegetative shoot. Development of a method for improving orchids through genetic modification could be extremely valuable for horticulture and, indirectly, also for conservation. Establishment of transformation methods for Phalaenopsis amabilis is important to understand functions of genes and to manipulate them in orchids.

Uses

Many people use this plant as an ornamental plant, because this plant has a very beautiful flower. On the other hand these plants began to be threatened in their natural habitat. This causes the market price of these plants become quite expensive.

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Rafflesia arnoldii

Description
Scientific Names: Rafflesia arnoldii
Common Names: Giant Padma, Rare Padma, Corpse Flower, Meat Flower

Plant Type: Giant flower.
Plant Size: 12-100 cm in diameter.
Native Habitat: Rafflesia arnoldii is found in tropical rain forests in Indonesia.
Native Range: Rafflesia arnoldii is found in tropical rain forests in southeast Asia, especially in the rainforests of Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
Conservation Status: How many of these plants still survive is unknown, but as the remaining primary forests of Borneo and Sumatra disappear, it can be assumed that their numbers are dwindling. Many are known to be nearing extinction. Some environmentalists are developing ways to recreate the species environment in an effort to stimulate their recovery. This has proved unsuccessful so far. Steps are also being taken to conserve the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. To help counter the over-collection of this rare plant, residents that have Rafflesia on their private property are encouraged to save the flowers and charge a small fee to see them.

Rafflesia arnoldii is a member of the genus Rafflesia. It is noted for producing the largest individual flower on earth, and a strong odor of decaying flesh - the latter point earning it the nickname of Corpse Flower or Meat Flower. It is an endemic plant that occurs only in the rainforests of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Although there are some plants with larger flowering organs like the Titan Arum and Talipot palm, those are technically clusters of many flowers.

Rafflesia arnoldii is one of the three national flowers in Indonesia, the other two being the White jasmine and Moon orchid.  It was officially recognized as a national Rare Flower in Presidential Decree No. 4 in 1993. Several species of Rafflesia grow in the jungles of southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Many of them are threatened or endangered. The flower of Rafflesia arnoldii is the largest, growing to a diameter of around 1 m (3 ft) and weighing up to 11 kilograms (24 lb).

Rafflesia lacks any observable leaves, stems or even roots, yet is still considered a vascular plant. Similar to fungi, individuals grow as thread-like strands of tissue completely embedded within and in intimate contact with surrounding host cells from which nutrients and water are obtained. This plant produces no leaves, stems or roots and does not have chlorophyll. It can only be seen when it is ready to reproduce. Perhaps the only part of Rafflesia that is identifiable as distinctly plant-like are the flowers; although, even these are unusual since they attain massive proportions, have a reddish-brown coloration and stink of rotting flesh, which is why it was nicknamed the Corpse Flower. This scent attracts insects such as flies which then pollinate the rare plant. It is not to be confused with the Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum, which is also commonly referred to as the Corpse flower.

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Rafflesia

Description
Scientific Names: Rafflesia
Common Names: Corpse Flower, Meat Flower

Plant Type: Giant flower.
Plant Size: 12-100 cm in diameter.
Native Habitat: Rafflesia is found in tropical rain forest area of southeastern Asia.
Native Range: All found in southeastern Asia, on the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand and the Philippines.
Conservation Status: How many of these plants still survive is unknown, but as the remaining primary forests of Borneo and Sumatra disappear, it can be assumed that their numbers are dwindling. Many are known to be nearing extinction. Some environmentalists are developing ways to recreate the species environment in an effort to stimulate their recovery. This has proved unsuccessful so far. Steps are also being taken to conserve the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. To help counter the over-collection of this rare plant, residents that have Rafflesia on their private property are encouraged to save the flowers and charge a small fee to see them.
Related Species:

•         Rafflesia arnoldii
•         Rafflesia aurantia
•         Rafflesia azlanii
•         Rafflesia baletei
•         Rafflesia bengkuluensis
•         Rafflesia cantleyi
•         Rafflesia gadutensis
•         Rafflesia hasseltii
•         Rafflesia keithii
•         Rafflesia kerrii
•         Rafflesia leonardi
•         Rafflesia lobata
•         Rafflesia manillana
•         Rafflesia micropylora
•         Rafflesia mira
•         Rafflesia patma
•         Rafflesia philippensis
•         Rafflesia pricei
•         Rafflesia rochussenii
•         Rafflesia schadenbergiana
•         Rafflesia speciosa
•         Rafflesia tengku-adlinii
•         Rafflesia tuan-mudae
•         Rafflesia verrucosa

Unverified Species :

•         Rafflesia borneensis
•         Rafflesia ciliata
•         Rafflesia titan
•         Rafflesia witkampii  

Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants. It contains approximately 28 species, all found in southeastern Asia, on the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand and the Philippines. Rafflesia was found in the Indonesian rain forest by an Indonesian guide working for Dr. Joseph Arnold in 1818, and named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the expedition.

The plant has no stems, leaves or true roots.  In some species, such as Rafflesia arnoldii, the flower may be over 100 cm (39 inch) in diameter, and weigh up to 10 kg (22 lb). Even the smallest species, Rafflesia baletei has 12 cm diameter flowers. The flowers look and smell like rotting flesh, hence its local names which translate to Corpse Flower or Meat Flower. The vile smell attracts insects such as flies, which transport pollen from male to female flowers.

Most species have separate male and female flowers, but a few have bisexual flowers. Little is known about seed dispersal. However, tree shrews and other forest mammals apparently eat the fruits and disperse the seeds. Rafflesia is an official state flower of Indonesia, also Sabah state in Malaysia, as well as for the Surat Thani Province, Thailand.

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Teak

Description
Scientific Names: Tectona grandis
Common Names: Teak, Jati, Sagon, Sagwan, Tevaram

Plant Type: Large-size.

Height: 30-40 m.

Native Habitat: Tectona grandis is found in a variety of habitats and climatic conditions from arid areas with only 500 mm of rain per year to very moist forests with up to 5,000 mm of rain per year. Typically, though, the annual rainfall in areas where Teak grows averages 1,250-1,650 mm with a 3-5 month dry season.
Native Range: Scattered Populations Mostly in the Southeast Asia, Mainly India, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Burma but because the value of the wood, Teak is now also developed outside its natural distribution area. In tropical Africa, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Taiwan.
Cultivation: Teak is a yellowish brown timber with good grains and texture. It is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture, boat decks, and other articles where weather resistance is desired. It is also used for cutting boards, indoor flooring, countertops and as a veneer for indoor furnishings. The vast majority of commercially harvested teak is grown on teak plantations found in Indonesia and controlled by Perum Perhutani (a state owned forest enterprise) that manages the country's forests. The primary use of Teak harvested in Indonesia is in the production of outdoor teak furniture for export.
Related Species: Tectona hamiltoniana (Dahat Teak), Tectona philippinensis (Philippine Teak)

Tectona grandis is a kind of high-quality timber-producing trees. A large tree, straight-trunked, it can grow to 30-40 m high Large-leaved, which is shed in the dry season. Tectona grandis is known world by the name of Teak (English). Teak, though easily worked, can cause severe blunting on edged tools because of the presence of silica in the wood. Teak's natural oils make it useful in exposed locations, and make the timber termite and pest resistant.

Teak is durable even when not treated with oil or varnish. Timber cut from old teak trees was once believed to be more durable and harder than plantation grown teak. Studies have shown Plantation Teak performs on par with old-growth teak in erosion rate, dimensional stability, warping, and surface checking, but is more susceptible to color change from UV exposure. Tectona grandis is a large, deciduous tree that is dominant in mixed hardwood forests. It has small, fragrant white flowers and papery leaves that are often hairy on the lower surface.

Uses
Teak is used extensively in Indonesia to make doors and window frames, furniture, and columns and beams in old type houses. It is very resistant to termite attacks. Mature Teak fetches a very good price. It is grown extensively by forest departments of different states in forest areas. Leaves of the teak wood tree are used in making Pellakai gatti (jackfruit dumpling), where batter is poured into a teak leaf and is steamed. This type of usage is found in the coastal district of Udupi in the Tulunadu region in South India. The leaves are also used in gudeg, a dish of young jackfruit made in Central Java, Indonesia, and give the dish its dark brown color. Teak wood contains a kind of oil and sediment in the cells of the wood, so it can be used in the open durable even without varnish (especially when worn under the auspices of the roof). Inside the house, but used as raw materials furniture or teak furniture, Teak is also used in building structures. Traditional Javanese houses, such as home Joglo Central Java, using Teak in almost all its parts: the pillars, roof frame, to the carved walls. Teak is used extensively in boat decks, as it is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance. The teak tends to wear in to the softer 'summer' growth bands first, forming a natural 'non-slip' surface. Any sanding is therefore only damaging. Use of modern cleaning compounds, oils or preservatives will shorten the life of the Teak, as it contains natural teak-oil a very small distance below the white surface. Wooden boat experts will only wash the teak with salt water, and re-caulk when needed. This cleans the deck, and prevents it from drying out and the wood shrinking. The salt helps it absorb and retain moisture, and prevents any mildew and algal growth. People with poor knowledge often over-maintain the Teak, and drastically shorten its life.

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Ylang-ylang

Description
Scientific Names: Cananga odorata
Common Names: Kenanga, Ylang-ylang, Dwarf Ylang-ylang
Plant Type: Small-size tree.
Height: 15-40 ft.
Native Habitat: Tropical rain forest.
Native Range: Indonesia, Philippines and North Australian.
Flowering Time: Flowering throughout the year.

Cananga odorata is a fast-growing tree of the custard-apple family, Annonaceae, that exceeds 5 m (15 ft) per year and attains an average height of 12 m (40 ft). It grows in full or partial sun, and prefers the acidic soils of its native rainforest habitat. The evergreen leaves are smooth and glossy, oval, pointed, with wavy margins, and 13-20 cm (5-8 inch) long. The flower is drooping, long-stalked, with six narrow greenish yellow (rarely pink) petals, rather like a sea star in appearance, and yields a highly fragrant essential oil. Cananga odorata var. fruticosa, Dwarf Ylang-ylang, grows as small tree or compact shrub with highly scented flowers.

This one blooms year round and the flowers are fragrant. It can also bloom very young. The Ylang-ylang is a tropical plant, but can take down to the mid 30's for short periods of time. It grows well in pots and can be brought inside during the winter time if you give it good light and the right conditions. It prefers to be outside in filtered light and can take a little bit of direct sunlight. It likes average moisture. It is perfect for small gardens or pots. Ylang-ylang has been cultivated in temperate climates under conservatory conditions. Its clusters of black fruit are an important food item for birds, such as the Collared Imperial-pigeon, Purple-tailed Imperial-pigeon, Zoe's Imperial-pigeon, Superb Fruit-dove, Pink-spotted Fruit-dove, Coroneted Fruit-dove, Orange-bellied Fruit-dove, and Wompoo Fruit-dove.

Uses
The essential oil of Ylang-ylang is used in aromatherapy. It is believed to relieve high blood pressure, normalize sebum secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac. According to Margaret Mead, it was used as such by South Pacific natives such as the Samoan Islands where she did much of her research. The oil from Ylang-ylang is widely used in perfumery for oriental or floral themed perfumes and is said to be the key ingredient in Chanel #5. Ylang-ylang blends well with most floral, fruit and wood smells. In Indonesia, Ylang-ylang flowers are spread on the bed of newlywed couples. In the Philippines, its flowers, together with the flowers of the sampaguita, are strung into a necklace and worn by women and used to adorn religious images. Ylang-ylang's essential oil makes up 29% of the Comoros' annual export (1998). Ylang Ylang is a common ingredient in the herbal motion sickness product MotionEaze.

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Igiri Tree

Description
Scientific Names: Idesia polycarpa
Synonyms: Idesia Maximowicz
Common Names: Igiri Tree
Plant Type: Large-size deciduous tree.
Height: 40-60 feet.
Native Habitat: Hills and mountain forests above elevations of 2000 m above sea level. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Native Range: Eastern Asia including China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
Cultivation: Prefers a neutral to slightly acid loamy soil, but tolerates a chalky sub-soil if the top soil is deep. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade. The dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c, though the tree is somewhat hardier if the wood is thoroughly ripened by a long hot summer. The young shoots in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant. The flowers have a most delicious perfume, which can be wafted far and wide by warm breezes. Trees produce fruit regularly. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required. Female plants can produce some fruit in the absence of a male plant.
Flowering Time: June to July.

Idesia polycarpa is the single species in the Idesia genus (Flacourtiaceae family). Forms a very fast growing, deciduous shade tree, it's native to eastern Asia in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Talk about plant-size some records include; 6 years - 25 x 25 feet, 20 years - 50 x 30 feet, largest on record - 60 x 80 feet ( rarely over 50 feet with a trunk up to 2.8 feet wide). Excellent tree for large landscaping such as parks where trees can be massed for effect. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, 8–20 cm long and 7–20 cm broad, are very large and tropical looking . The foliage is bronze purple at first, turning glossy deep green above and blue-white beneath during summer, persisting very late into the fall though usually remaining green until falling. The attractive foliage is borne on red stalks.

 

The flowers are small, yellowish green, fragrant, and born in panicles 13–30 cm long, are followed by very attractive hanging clusters of bright-red berries during fall persisting well into winter. The berries are borne on female trees only so multiple trees are required for berry production. If used as a street tree, just a single or 2 males trees can pollinate the remainder of the block of trees. Some birds like the berries while others don't so the persistence of the berry crop may vary from year to year depending on bird populations.

The bark is also very attractive, smooth and very light gray. The Igiri Tree is hardy to about -15°c, though the tree is somewhat hardier if the wood is thoroughly ripened by a long hot summer in full sun preferring fertile, well drained acid loam (though tolerating alkaline or just about any soil). It's heat and drought tolerant and actually prefers hot humid summers. Very easy to grow, it is wind tolerant even in coastal areas and is virtually immune to insect pests and disease. The Igiri Tree is easy to transplant while dormant, small trees can even be transplanted bare root.

 

Uses
The fruit is edible either raw or cooked. The fruit is a many seeded berry with a pulpy flesh. Idesia polycarpa is occasionally grown as an ornamental tree in other temperate regions including Europe.

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Ginkgo biloba

Description
Scientific Names: Ginkgo biloba
Common Names: Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo
Plant Type: Large-size deciduous conifer tree.
Height: Grow an average 20–35 m (66–115 feet), with some specimens in China being over 50 m (164 feet).
Native Habitat: Many specimens are found along stream banks, rocky slopes, and cliff edges.
Native Range: Ginkgo biloba and other species of the same genus had spread throughout the world is expressed, but their numbers declined rapidly in two million years ago. For centuries, considered extinct in the wild, but now known to remain in two small province of Zhejiang in East China and in the Tian Mu Shan Reserve.
Conservation Status: After the declared extinct and then rediscovered, now this species has been widespread in cultivation.
Cultivation: Easily grown in average, medium moisture soil in full sun. Prefers moist, sandy, well drained soils. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions including both alkaline and acidic soils and compacted soils. Also tolerant of saline conditions, air pollution and heat. Fits well to most urban areas.
Bloom Time: April.

Ginkgo biloba are large trees, normally reaching a height of 20–35 m (66–115 feet), with some specimens in China being over 50 m (164 feet). The tree has an angular crown and long, somewhat erratic branches, and is usually deep rooted and resistant to damage from wind and snow. Young trees are often tall and slender, and sparsely branched, the crown becomes broader as the tree aged. A combination of disease resistance, insect-resistant wood and the ability to form aerial roots and sprouts makes Ginkgo durable, with some specimens claimed that more than 2,500 years old.

Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous conifer, the unique, two-lobed, somewhat leathery, fan-shaped leaves with diverging (almost parallel) veins features. Ginkgo is the only surviving member of a group of old trees probably inhabited the earth up to 150 million years old. Ginkgo is dioecious (separate male and female trees). Female trees are very undesirable because they produce seeds encased fleshy, fruit-like coverings that are at the end of the term in the fall, messy and emit a noxious, foul odor after falling to the ground and open columns. As a result, nurseries today generally sell only male cultivars. 'Autumn Gold' is a purely male variety usually always at the end of the term to 40-50 meters with a symmetrical, broadly spreading habit. In autumn, the leaves turn bright yellow fall, then, sometimes within a very short time (1-15 days). Ginkgo is also commonly called Maidenhair Tree, which refers to the resemblance of the fan-shaped leaves to maidenhair fern leaflets (pinnae).

Reproduction method is quite unique, Ginkgo disseminates neither spores (like the ferns), nor seeds (like the graminaceous ones) but something intermediary: the ovule. The ovule is the entirety of the female germ cells i.e. the oosphere (haploid) and additional (nucellus). They have large ovules, are filled with reserve, that Ginkgo drops on the ground rather tardily in season. Formed with the higher pole of the ovule is constituted a mini cavity filled with liquid: the pollinic space. This room is a tiny opening, the micropyle, which produces a viscous drop to a grain of pollen trap when it is presented and the micropyle is closed then. Finally, pollen germinates and then generates real spermatozoïde the female swim against the cell and penetrate to merge with it.

Uses
The tree is widely cultivated and introduced, since an early period in human history, and has various uses as a food and traditional medicine. Good choice for a variety of uses, including lawn tree, street tree or shade tree. Also effective in city parks and near commercial buildings. Extracts of Ginkgo leaves contain flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids (ginkgolides, bilobalides) and have been used pharmaceutically. Ginkgo supplements are usually taken in the range of 40–200 mg per day. Recently, careful clinical trials have shown Ginkgo to be effective in treating dementia but not preventing the onset of Alzheimer's Disease in normal people.

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Japanese Maple

Description
Scientific Names: Acer palmatum
Common Names: Japanese Maple, Smooth Japanese Maple
Plant Type: Deciduous tree.
Height: 6-10 m, rarely 16 m.
Native Habitat : Often growing as an understory plant in shady woodlands and in temperate areas.
Native Range: Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, eastern Mongolia, Russia and Southeast.
Conservation Status: Cultivated as an ornamental plant, usually used as a bonsai.
Similiar Species: Acer duplicatoserratum, Acer japonicum, Acer pseudosieboldianum, Acer shirasawanum, Acer sieboldianum.

Acer palmatum, called Japanese Maple or Smooth Japanese Maple is a species of woody plant native to Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, eastern Mongolia, Russia and Southeast. There are many different cultivars of maple that are selected and they are grown worldwide for their attractive leaf shapes and colors. They are very popular and are relatively expensive due to their size trees. Acer palmatum is a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching heights of 6-10 m, rarely 16 m, often growing as an under story plant in shady woods. It may take several trunks close to the ground. In practice, it is often the shape of a hemisphere (especially younger) or takes a dome-like shape, especially as an adult. The leaves are 4-12 cm long and broad, palmately lobed with five, seven or nine acutely pointed lobes. The flowers are produced in small Cymes, individual flowers with five red or purple sepals and five whitish petals. The fruit is a pair of winged Samaras, Samara each 2-3 cm long with a 6-8 mm seed. The seeds of the Japanese Maple and similar species require stratification to germinate.

Uses
When the Swedish doctor-botanist Carl Peter Thunberg traveled to Japan late in the eighteenth century, he is eliminated from drawings of a small tree that would eventually become synonymous with high art of oriental gardens. He gave it the species name palmatum after the hand-like shape of its leaves, similar to the ancient Japanese name Kaede and Momiji, references to the hands of the frogs and babies respectively. For centuries gardeners have developed cultivars of Japanese maples in Japan and around Korea and China. They are a popular choice for bonsai lovers and have long been a subject in art.

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