regards from Bernd
quiz 21
Moderators: MWP admin, IL-PINE
I am not really tired but rather ignorant about ornamentals 
I have been trying to identify it for a long time but would never have arrived at the identification because I had no idea at all that this tree is planted in Malta - I did not have any idea on what to look for.
in fact it is the first time I am hearing the name of this tree - will be going to have a look at that car park near San Anton
I have been trying to identify it for a long time but would never have arrived at the identification because I had no idea at all that this tree is planted in Malta - I did not have any idea on what to look for.
in fact it is the first time I am hearing the name of this tree - will be going to have a look at that car park near San Anton
Went to have a look at the Brachychiton trees near San Anton - unfortunately because of pruning, the flowers were too high up for me to see properly, but they seemed less reddish on the inside than in your photo.
- there is also a strange ornamental tree in the same public parking area (last tree at the opposite end), with a swollen, bottle shaped trunk, with lots of pointed proturbances on the bark - any idea what could that be? Thanks
- there is also a strange ornamental tree in the same public parking area (last tree at the opposite end), with a swollen, bottle shaped trunk, with lots of pointed proturbances on the bark - any idea what could that be? Thanks
I think I know the strange ornamental tree Robcar refers too - the trunk resembles a dwarf baobab ( exotic tree ) for all I know it cud be of the same family. There are similar trees round one of the ponds in San Anton
Like Robcar I claim full ignorance on ornamental trees though I recognise a bouganvilla now and then....
time for jack to take over here
wolf
Like Robcar I claim full ignorance on ornamental trees though I recognise a bouganvilla now and then....
time for jack to take over here
wolf
From the far the flower looks like more whitish, close up its more pinkish to reddish. Fruits are interesting, too. Like a wheel of capsules. Btw: the tree is very close related to the cacao tree!Yes, wolf is right with the bottle tree noticed from robcar along the parking area. There are also trees in front of Mosta church, recognizable by the thorny main stem, as well as in a nice atrium within San Anton Gardens on the left hand side close to the toilets/restrooms
. It is a Bombacaceae called Chorisia speciosa, my favorite between the ornamentals.Why do I think that ornamentals are so important? I send you some thoughts as an extract from my book introduction about Malta`s ornamentals:
Especially young people do not have much interest in plants due to the lack of information, in times of believe in technical progress nature suffers from neglect. Who cares for that inconspicuous plant in the garrigue or maquis, in the wied or at the cliffs. We prefer to spend our time in front of the TV, the computer or surfing the web. At the most we take little walk in between, or go rambling on Sundays.
But, rambling is nicest in a peaceful ambience, best where we can enjoy beauty. Thus, on a nicely featured beach promenade or in a little romantic park. Well, this is natures big chance: to attract with exotic glory. Isn’t it most important to raise a first pleasing attention? This does not work theoretically – it must be felt, smelled, behold by own sensations. And if we, due to disinterest, do not go to the plants, the plants, exotics from all over the world, just have to come to us. They need to attract us with their spectacular appearance, charming fragrance or unusual manner. Of course, the indigenous but modest wallflower also would deserve the same regard, but usually, if at all, it is the startling exotic ornamental attracting our eye in the first place.
It won’t make any difference to nature how we get interested, provided we do. There is a chance only when man is awake and does not sleep away natures doom. Only interest can initiate care. “Ornamental plants”, therefore, is a vehicle in order to convey a first concern for plants and nature to heart and brain. This, eventually, will also serve the inconspicuous wallflower.
Looking at it that way, there certainly is a good reason to have some more respect for ornamentals - I like them because many are somewhat unusual, fancy and spectacular like that Chorisia - thanks I now know what it is - (I am sure that they would look even better in their natural habitat) but i know very little about them
- the problem is that trying to learn a little about the wild flora is already difficult for me and takes so much time - adding the ornamentals too makes it even more difficult!
I did not know you have a book about Maltese ornamentals - some information about it? Thanks
- the problem is that trying to learn a little about the wild flora is already difficult for me and takes so much time - adding the ornamentals too makes it even more difficult!
I did not know you have a book about Maltese ornamentals - some information about it? Thanks
No, I have (not yet) a published book about Maltese ornamentals, but the manuscript with 250 pics lays in the office of a Maltese publisher since 15 months. Now, I became angry with the publisher and have cancelled the offer and will possibly publish it with the German company Margraf (who publish the flora within the next few weeks). So, Ornamental Plants of Malta will be available in about 12 months, I hope.
Yes, of course it is enough for interested people but "non-professionals" to consider the native flora only, but for professional botanists (like professors for systematics ) they need to know them (at least to be interested in).
Yes, of course it is enough for interested people but "non-professionals" to consider the native flora only, but for professional botanists (like professors for systematics
) they need to know them (at least to be interested in).BTW JP thanks for this, I have three of these in large pots which are approx 10 feet high which I have grown from seed, sown quite some years ago. I had collected the seed from San Anton gdns. But I never knew the name.
They are very resistant to poor conditions, I have only replaced the 30cm pot they were in, about one month ago.
I correct you in one thing - These are not really easy to think of as "common" street trees, up to about 5 years ago approx I only ever saw this in San Anton, although now it can be found recently planted such as at the new road by the lower entry of Chadwick Lakes. For us "common" street trees, we think of Ficus nitida, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Pinus, Oleander, and similar.
RB
They are very resistant to poor conditions, I have only replaced the 30cm pot they were in, about one month ago.
I correct you in one thing - These are not really easy to think of as "common" street trees, up to about 5 years ago approx I only ever saw this in San Anton, although now it can be found recently planted such as at the new road by the lower entry of Chadwick Lakes. For us "common" street trees, we think of Ficus nitida, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Pinus, Oleander, and similar.
RB