Double-petaled Hibiscus has all the beauty of the single-petaled ones but double the charm. It's the tropics version of roses minus the nasty thorns and of course the fragrance.
This double-petaled variety can measured up to six inches in diameter.
A Carpenter bee perched on a bud to soak in the sun, flying off and then returning. They can do this for the entire day. From my observation they do not gather from Hibiscus.
A damselfly emulates the carpenter bee in this bud-hugging activity.
The bud develops while a clueless ant scrambled over it being too early for the party.
The maturing bloom, just before it unfurl its petals.
In double-petaled
Hibiscus, the stigma and anthers are at the same level while part of the
seminal tube is fused to the petals.
Staminal tube of single-petaled Hibiscus
The maturing bloom, just before it unfurl its petals.
In double-petaled
Hibiscus, the stigma and anthers are at the same level while part of the
seminal tube is fused to the petals.Staminal tube of single-petaled Hibiscus
In single-petaled Hibiscus, the stamens and the style share the same staminal tube with the stigma held aloft. This way the chances of reducing self-pollination is better. The pollen grains are ready for harvesting by unsuspecting insects looking for nectar. An unidentified insect huddled up.
This is older variety of double-petaled Hibiscus is often refered to as the 'kampung' type which means village in Malay.
The flowers are smaller, measuring about two-three inches wide.
At this early stage, the flower petals are firm and rosette-like.
When in full bloom, the petals appear papery.
The flowers are small and globular and look almost like pom-poms.
The next day the blooms are suspended by a thin thread which are the seminal tubes.
Unfortunately, they can be prone to infestation by aphids and mealy bugs.
Hibiscus on old silver trinket box from Java, Indonesia.
(From my sister's antique silver collection)
(From my sister's antique silver collection)
Double the pleasure it is... thanks for sharing the great pics...
ReplyDeleteHi Ironglim, it is a great pleasure to hear from you after a long time.
DeleteThanks a ton for all the kind words. This is most encouraging. I visited your blog but have trouble using it and the 'circles'.
ReplyDeleteHi Elsie,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I have missed your last couple of posts. It is always lovely to see your colourful pictures and to read about the plants and creatures that you write about. The leaves are just starting to appear on some plants here and bulbs are in flower, so we will soon be enjoying the beauty of spring.
I love the spring flowers in UK. I was there in the 90s and have a great time posing with the flowers. Now that I'm much older, I point the camera to the flowers only and no images of me.
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