LIBRARY 
OF THE 
BOTANIC GARDENS, 
SINGAPORE. 
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A Gardens Calendar. 
WHAT is probably the largest orchid 
” in the world, considered as a 
plant rather than a flower, is flower- 
ing exceptionally well in the Singapore 
Botanic Gardens at present. 
It may be seen in various parts of 
the grounds, but visitors unable to 
identify it are advised to mak~ straight 
for the plant house below the band- 
stand. There is a large specimen on 
the left-hand side of the house and on 
the same level. 
This orchid, known as Grammato- 
pkyllum speciosum, does not appear to 
have any well-established popular 
names, but it is sometimes known in 
Malaya as the “Sugar Cane Orchid,” 
on account of its very long leaves, and 
also as the “Queen of Orchids.” 
TWO THOUSAND FLOWERS! 
It is certainly worth examining at 
close quarters. One very large speci- 
men in the Botanic Gardens, has had 
as many as 35 flower stalks during the 
last few days, and each stalk bears 
as many as 70 individual flowers. 
The flowers, which give oil a rather 
heavy scent during the heat of the 
day, are not sufficiently brightly col- 
oured to be really handsome, and yet 
they are striking enough with their 
mottled patches of brownish purple on 
a dull yellow background. 
There is a particularly interesting 
specimen growing on a palm on the 
right-hand side as you go down Mer- 
anta Avenue, below what is known as 
the Monkey House. 
Here there is a great sponge-like 
mass, more or less like an inverted 
cone, affixed round the trunk of the 
tree. The roots of the orchid, growing 
outwards, have gradually accumulated 
debris, forming this peculiar agglomer- 
ation which serves to hold water and 
feed the plant. 
This species of on/ud, which is re- 
presented by eight or more specimens 
in flower in the Gardens at present, 
is native to Malaya and is found on 
high jungle trees growing in fairly ex- 
posed positions, as for example on the 
banks of rivers. 
Incidentally this is one Malayan 
orchid which is very rarely seen In 
flower in Europe, for it can only be 
cultivated under hothouse conditions 
with great difficulty. 
CASSIA CLUSTERS. 
On the left-hand side of the main 
road leading into the Gardens, just 
before the lake is reached, a beautiful 
cassia tree • is flowering now, and its 
clusters of golden yellow flowers among 
tiie feathery, open foliage make a 
charming picture with the lake and 
water lilies in the background. 
The cassia, which is a native of tro- 
pical America, is one of the most use- 
ful flowering trees for gardens in 
Malaya, being showy and yet not too 
big. 
* * * * 
While you are in this vicinity you 
should lock at the bed of deep 
rose cannas on the other side of the 
road, opposite the cassia tree. 
This very attractive shade of canna 
has been obtained by crossing a bright 
red variety with a rather unpleasing 
one of yellowish white. It may be re- 
garded as the best hybrid canna so 
far produced in the Garde’/}. 
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