Flowers of my Cryptocoryne collection / field trip

[illumbomb]

C. sp. 'Singkep 3' - I felt that the spathe looked like that of C. schulzei but my friend felt that the female flower looked like that of C. xtimahensis instead. Whichever it is, it proved that such species are more widely distributed that what we currently know (i.e. in Johor / Singapore).

[illumbomb]

C. bullosa 'Pakan' - The spathe had to be dug out in order for the entire spathe to be phtographed as the specimens are all deeply rooted with only the limb of the spathe sticking out of the substrate.


C. bullosa 'Sungai Seblak' - a well known location for C. bullosa

[illumbomb]

C. sp. 'Lingga 6' - a collected spathe, with light yellow folded limb covered with protuberances and with a reb collar

[illumbomb]

C. sp. 'Lingga 11' - a collected spathe, the limb is golden yellow in colour with reddish spots, it has a red collar too

[illumbomb]

C. striolata 'Sungai Assan' - an opened spathe in its natural habitat

[illumbomb]

C. sp. 'Singkep 6' - a collected spathe bloomed, the shape of the spathe looked quite like that of C. griffithii but not the "hairy" limb

[illumbomb]

C. sp. 'Lingga 17' - A blooming collected spathe of yet another specimen from the fantastic Lingga Island

[illumbomb]

C. keei 'Jambusan' - a spathe in its natural habitat in Sarawak. The other habitat which I know of for C. keei is located at west Kalimantan.

[illumbomb]

C. xpurpurea nothovar. purpurea 'Tasik Bera' - a blooming cultivated spathe

[SCOPE]

never know that crypts can produce such impressive blooms....thanks for sharing!

[juilian75]

hi,

impressive. Brings back memories.

BTW do you have photos of the xtimahensis flower?

[illumbomb]

Nope, NParks rejected my application for permission to trek off designated path to reach the C. x timahensis natural habitat to take photographes of it. Haha.

[juilian75]

Do you really need a permit to go off track?
why don't you just trek in without a permit?

[illumbomb]

According to item 1(j), straying off designated trail is prohibited. Item 2 stated that offenders would be liable to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both if convicted. Even if I did went in, I would not be able to publish anything over the forum / blog as that would be evidence. Therefore, its not worth it.

[juilian75]

Does this act also apply to Thomsons and Mandai areas? I thought i saw some C. griffithii and C. pontederiifolia in those areas.

[bossteck]

Hi illumbomb,

That's a shame, considering you're doing it for the purpose of educating the public.
Did they cite any reason for the rejection?

[illumbomb]

NParks highlighted that they are currently conducting research at that site so they do not want their research to be disturbed. Also, they do not wish to attract unnecessary attention to the site via blog postings. I think their concerns are somewhat valid. Nevermind, there are still many sites left around South East Asia for me to visit.

[illumbomb]

Does this act also apply to Thomsons and Mandai areas? I thought i saw some C. griffithii and C. pontederiifolia in those areas.

It is stated within the Parks and Trees Act that the restrictions are applicable to National Parks and National Reserves. And under the schedule of the Act, the T.S., Mukim and Lot numbers of the areas designated as National Parks and National Reserves are listed.

Do a check using SLA's LandQuery free online service (switch to Lot View) and you should be able to determine whether the area which you saw the cryptocorynes are within or out of areas designated as National Parks and National Reserves. Thats all I understood from the Act.

[bossteck]

Sounds fair enough. Hope to see more updates from you soon

[juggler]

Very nice pictures of the Crypts. Thanks for sharing.