Earth Gingers - Etlingera

Back in 2007, a friend suggested that the ID for this Earth ginger should be Etlingera coccinea. However, I wasn't so convinced as it didn't really looked like those I googled. But I didn't any good reference books on Gingers, so I excepted what he proposed.

Finally Axel help to ID as E. megalocheilos which looks more close & agreeable to me. :)

References
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/herbarium/digitallib/collections/hlaplants/pdfs/Zin_Etlingera_megalocheilos_w.pdf
http://www.dalbergpoulsen.com/gingers_gallery.html
http://www.dalbergpoulsen.com/ginger_poster.html

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Alexandra Arch & South Ridges

One of the more exciting development in Singapore that got me really trilled aren't the F1 racing nor those Gambling Dens Integrated Resorts. The Park connectors network & various new trails around nature parks takes the cake instead.

Many have been lamenting for years on why we couldn't have a safe & bicycle-friendly road for cyclist, just like those found around Europe.

Instead of these bicycle friendly roads, there have been a network of Park Connectors & new trails been developed quietly & steadfastly.

I have been waiting for the completion of this particular connector at Alexandra. You seen one of side of the Arch in my previous post. Here is another side. Essentially, this is a bridge that connects HortPark to another part of the trail that leads to Telok Banglah Hill.


The Arch connects to another elevated walkway, which at this height, certainly not recommended those suffering from Acrophobia, I guess. But I can certainly foresee an exciting bird's eye of the surrounding forest to feast your eyes.

This, eventually, goes around, down and then up towards Telok Banglah Hill.

The Arch is officially open on 10~11 May 2008 along with HortPark.

It actually part of the the South Ridges 9km trails that goes from Kent Ridge Park all the way to Harbourfront MRT Station!

How exciting! I certainly will check out very soon!

LINKS
Discovery the Southern Ridges

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Lazy Plant#1 - Indian Borage

Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus)
This is one of the easiest plant to grow, perfect for lazy folks. Easily propagated from stem cuttings.

The leaves have got a strong minty scent. Traditionally being used for coughs, relieve indigestion, stomach cramps& even headaches. But I usually use to make tea only.

Typically, the leaves are green. But mine is the (not so common) variegated form, it comes with creamy white markings on leaves margin.

Grow baby grow, let me have some tea soon! :)

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Earth Day 2008

Earth Day falls on 22 Apr. Hopefully by now, everybody should be aware that our dearest Earth is falling sick rapidly. One way to help is to keep yourself & others informed on the ongoing environmental issues as well as learning ways we help to reduce these damages.

In conjunction with HBO Asia, National Library @ 100 Victoria Street will be screening the An Inconvenient Truth
Venue: National Library Imagination Room
Date/Time - Sat, 19 Apr 2008, 3.00 pm

If you missed this, you can still catch it at Singapore Botanical Gardens
Date : 20 Apr
Time : 11am - 1pm ; 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Function Hall, Botany Centre

Source: http://www.climatecrisis.net/

And if these are still not enough .....

National Nature Society is organizing Earth Day celebration at Yishun Park on 26 Apr 2008
NSS: Celebrate Earth Day at Yishun Park

Singapore Zoological Gardens are having special events during Earth Day
Singapore Zoo: Celebrate Earth Day 2008

National Geographic Asia also having special programmes on this special day
NGCAsia: Earth Day Specials

And how about trying this cool software called, Localcooling, said to help optimize your PC power consumption!

As for yours sincerely, having watched "An Inconvenient Truth", I'll probably will be lazing around elsewhere doing nothing, consuming nothing & hence wasting nothing. After all, from the look of this noticeboard, I'm not sure what I can do other then nothingness? In fact, they even wanted me to walk there too!!! ;P

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