Ixora coccinea flower, Flame of the Woods, Jungle Flame

Ixora coccinea, known as the Jungle Geranium, Flame of the Woods, and Jungle Flame, is a common flowering shrub native to Asia. Its name derives from an Indian deity. Although there are some 400 species in the genus Ixora, only a handful are commonly cultivated, and the common name, Ixora, is usually used for I. coccinea.

I. coccinea is a dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub, commonly 4-6 ft (1.2-2 m) in height, but capable of reaching up to 12 ft (3.6 m) high. It has a rounded form, with a spread that may exceed its height. The glossy, leathery, oblong leaves are about 4 in (10 cm) long, with entire margins, and are carried in opposite pairs or whorled on the stems.


Pink Ixora, Yellow Ixora, Red Ixora, Orange Ixora

Small tubular, scarlet flowers in dense rounded clusters 2-5 in (5-13 cm) across are produced almost all year long. There are numerous named cultivars differing in flower colour (yellow, pink, orange) and plant size. Several popular cultivars are dwarfs, usually staying under 3 ft (1 m) in height. Ixora 'Nora Grant' is a popular dwarf and 'Super King' is a popular hybrid with much larger flower clusters than the species.

I. coccinea is native to tropical south-east Asia, including Southern India and Sri Lanka. It has become one of the most popular flowering shrubs in South Florida gardens and landscapes.

Ixora is also known as "Santan" in Malaysia and Philippines.

Click for more Ixora photo gallery.

Technorati Tags: Ixora, Santan, Flame of the Woods, Jungle Flame

Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 2

There are three photos in this 2nd series on Tropical Wild Mushroom or fungi, being temporarily named as "Durian Mushroom", "Mushroom Spores" and finally, "Manhood Mushroom".

1. Durian Mushroom


The mushrooms above grow on a dead Durian branch that have fallen on the ground. The dead branch was relatively too hard for mushroom to grow since mushroom usually prefer to sprout on semi-rotten wood. See larger image of the above mushroom.

---------------------------------------

2. Mushroom Spores


The photo above show tiny mushroom spores growing on a burned log. The spore is a size of a match stick. See larger image of the spores.

---------------------------------------

3. Manhood Mushroom


Now for the fun part. I assured you that the above photo is real. It's another kind of mushroom jutting out from a hole previously drilled by an insect on a dead log. The mushroom diameter is slightly wider than a crayon. See larger image.

Related topics:
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 1
* More pictures on Tropical Wild Mushroom