A STOMPer was trekking through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve when he saw all these rare and exotic plants with leaves so huge that they left him amazed.
Trekker told STOMP via email today (Aug 12):
"These pictures were taken near the forest trails of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
"This pitcher plant grows near sandy soil where there is little water.
"While plants get their energy from sunlight, air and water, they still need nitrogen and phosphorus to grow.
"In some places they are so rare that it is hard for plants to grow.
"Some plants have resorted to getting nitrogen from living insects.
"With slippery pitchers they catch insects like ants and mosquitoes and digest them to get precious nutrients.
"The pitcher plant can grow in extreme habitats where there is a lack of nutrients.
"This leaf from a giant tree is almost 1m long and if you look at the pen you can gauge the size of the leaf.
"This leaf is big and if you look at the $1 coin you can assess the size of the leaf.
"The forest abounds rare plants like the African spiral flag (Costus lucanusianus) which blooms flowers the whole year round.
"This plant grows in dark and damp places and its brightly-coloured flowers attract bees and butterflies."
Related posts: Meet the carnivorous pitcher plant (28th June 2009)
