Asparagus densiflorus - Foxtail Fern

Asparagus densiflorus is commonly known as the Foxtail fern, Plume fern or Aparagus fern.  

This container of the plant provides a cool verdant contrast to the colourful Bougainvillea in the background.

This container has a niche spot by the side of a pond. It gets to enjoy the intermittent water spray from the fountain within.

After a eavy downpour, a tiny butterfly, Zizula hylax pygmaea (Pygmy Grass Blue) with a long name perched on an equally tiny leaf.


Each stem is arching and covered with many small needle-like leaves. Flower buds sprout from the lateral branches.


 Flowers are white and tiny.

This stem is smothered with masses of delicate flowers.

The fruits are shiny and eventually turn red.

Quisqualis indica and Lantana - Amazing Butterfly Attractants

It is very evident that Quisqualis indica (Rangoon creeper) and Lantana camara provide plenty of opportunities for viewing beautiful butterflies that flutter into the garden.

 
Double-petaled Quisqualis indica


  It exudes a lovely fragrant smell for a perfumed garden.

 
 A female Hypolimnas bolina jacintha (Jacintha Egg Fly)



The Lesser Gull Butterfly - Cepora Nadina

A butterfly 'painted lady' reposing on the foliage of Quisqualis indica.

A big shrub of  Lantana camara (sunset)






A butterfly 'painted lady' sipping nectar from the numerous florets. She is simply  spoilt for choice,

 
 

Zizula hylax pygmaea (Pygmy Grass Blue)

A male Hypolimnas bolina jacintha (Jacintha Egg Fly)

Clear Wing Moth on leaf of Lantana camara.


Other butterflies love the Lantanas too. This Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe contubernalis) was found perched on the underside of lantana leaf.

Capers of Pygmy Grass Blue Butterflies on Lantana

Zizula hylax pygmaea (Pygmy Grass Blue) are incredibly tiny butterflies that freely flutter around in my garden. Lantana camara are their firm favourites.
 

"The butterfly is a flying flower. The flower a tethered butterfly"
- Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

Their strong preference for this plant could be due to the aromatic leaves and flowers.

 

Unfurling a coiled proboscis into the floret of Lantana camara 'spreading sunset'.

Having a field day, hopping from one floret to another, they are simply just spoilt for choice.


Their thirst for the nectar seems to be insatiable as they flit tirelessly from one inflorescence to another.


The nectar must be like ambrosia to them.

Even flower buds are given the once over. 

 
The buds appear as little rectangle packages

 The buds are just as interesting as the flowers.