In Malaysia, Turnera subulata grows wild like a weed in open fields and sunny areas.
This native of Tropical America is very much at home in our equatorial climate.
The flowers open at about 8 O'clock in the morning and close before noon.
Scientific name: Turnera subulata
Common name: White Alder, White Buttercup, Sulphur Alder, Politician's Flower, Dark-eyed Turnera
Malay name:
Bunga Lidah kuching (cat's tongue),
Bunga Kembang Pukul Lapan, Bunga Delapan (8 O'clock flower)
Family: Turneraceae (Yellow Alder family)
Origin: Tropical American (Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil)
Category: Ever-flowering perennial shrub
The above picture was taken at a public garden in my neighbourhood.
“Turnera subulata (White Alder) - Wildflower of Malaysia”, a copyrighted post, was written for My Nice Garden blog by Autumn Belle @ http://www.mynicegarden.com/ on May 23rd, 2012.
With so many nectar producing flowers, the bushes are always full of activity.
They attract lots of honey bees and tawny coaster butterflies.
Even a wasp wants to join in the fun.
What's this?
It looks like a cricket. If only this one could talk like Jiminy Cricket!
These wildflowers are a magnet for wildlife.
The above picture was taken in an open area by the roadside.
The above flower has cream coloured petals.
This flower has light yellow petals.
Turnera subulata flowers have dark centres.
That's what differentiate them from T. ulmifolia (Yellow Buttercup).
That's what differentiate them from T. ulmifolia (Yellow Buttercup).
The flowers were fully opened in the morning. Now they are all closed.
How many countries are there in the world now?
To the 110,770 visitors from 196 countries who have visited My Nice Garden blog (Neocounter)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Last but not least, today I'd like to remember the BEE GEES, the music we (my dear DH and me) love. Now my children enjoy their melodies too. We have never seen them perform in real life, but the beautiful and timeless music they gave the world will live on forever in our hearts and minds.
To Robin Gibb who passed away on 20 May 2012, RIP.
How many countries are there in the world now?
To the 110,770 visitors from 196 countries who have visited My Nice Garden blog (Neocounter)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Lovely flower!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that it is open only a few hours each day. With a choice of names, I would call it Cat's Tongue!
We remember the Bee Gees, too.
Have a wonderful day!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie
Mississippi, USA
Very pretty and the butterflies sure seem to like it.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
I've never seen these attractive wild flowers before... you've captured them so well. Thanks for sharing, A.Belle!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to convey my thanks and appreciation too for your warm thoughts and prayers during my recent illness.
We love the Bee Gees, too. Eternal rest grant unto Robin Gibb, O Lord and may his soul rest in peace.
Seriously, I never seem to notice this flower or perhaps they were close each time I pass by them. The leaves somehow looks like cat whiskers though. Will try to get a glimpse next time. Thanks for sharing Ms Belle.
ReplyDeleteI love the Bee Gees too. Condolence to their family.
What a cheery, lovely flower. It is always wonderful to see what is growing in all parts of this world.
ReplyDeleteThank you ~ FlowerLady
What a beautiful flower! You've captured it very well in your close-up, it just glows with that yellow center. And I love all the shots of bugs all over it.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing new plants and flowers - the blossom reminds me of an annual hibiscus I've grown - although it wasn't nearly as full and covered in blossoms as these were.
ReplyDeleteThe little wild flowers are not only attractive to Mr. Cricket, they also give simple joys to gardeners like us :-)
ReplyDeleteAgree with you absolutely, yeah look at more greens good for the eyes. Kinda sad to hear about Robin Gibb which started the world crying. Hey you captured a pretty nice cricket.
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty flower and I would plant it nearby to see all the pollinators it makes happy. gail
ReplyDeleteHi Autumn Belle,
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome plant! I love it when plants get so full of blooms, and those are very pretty ones. When they draw in the bees, butterflies, and other critters, that's a bonus! That green insect may be a katydid. I see them on my daylilies, and don't mind sharing them with them, since they eat part of the bloom, but don't hurt the plant.
I didn't know how many countries there are, but isn't it awesome to be connected by the internet?
Ooo, they are lovely en masse. That insect does look like a katydid - a bush cricket. They have long antennas, unlike grasshoppers. Most of them eat leaves and flowers, though.
ReplyDeleteWe have them here too, it could be lovelier if they don't close fast. They maybe more sensitive to our hot/dry climate than the other more yellow turnera, which are still here despite the heat. I've not been posting for two weeks now, and i miss blogging.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dramatic difference in the photos of the flowers open and closed. You would never know how lovely they are if they were closed when you walk by. With so many blooms, they do attract a lot of wildlife.
ReplyDeleteMimo iż się zamykają po południu, a właśnie dlatego ,że przyciągają różne owady posadziłabym go w moim ogródku. Nie jest to jednak kraj dla nich :-). Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it closes in the afternoon, and that is why they attract various insects would give it in my backyard. This is not a country for them :-). Yours.
What a fresh looking flower. They're so pretty up close - surprising they're just out in the landscape like that!
ReplyDeleteThsi is lovely flowers! I don't mind having them growing wold in my garden! ;)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!
ReplyDeleteOne of the flowers which I have been eyeing to consider to the rescue & plant it in my garden but somehow it had eluded me.
ReplyDeleteI realised that their blooming time has a lot to do with sunny days and my garden is very much shaded - it fairs badly as they will fail to bloom.
Regardless it is a lovely flower to have and a pretty mystical name too (White Alder) sounds like the Harry Potter characters.
I have seen another one with the same type - having a flower all in yellow. I wonder how many other species we have it wild in our country side.
Thank you for this post... this is a very pretty flower that I sometimes see in housing estates in Msia... they are very prolific, I think...
ReplyDeleteHave it in my house compound.
Delete