Amherstia nobilis, alias Pride of Burma
Dumped by a neighbor. An unsightly, crooked scrap of a plant. It got a place in the backyard, behind a wall, out of sight. Only to suffer further neglect.
But, honoring its generic name, it appeared very forgiving. One January morning, greenish ‘tails’ appeared, drooping from the end of its branches. In a few days the unfolding buds turned red. Not much later the Amherstia looked stunning with a spray of dangling crimson flowers.
It deserved a better place, although being dug up is not the favorite trick of a tree. Still forgiving, it now shines as a solitary in full sight.
February 2015, by Karolien Bais
Bewaren
Flora
Plants can be equally striking for their smell or stench, their stubbornness or benevolence, their secrecy or exuberance. Whatever their features, they can make my day.
Here are some of my doozies.
Couroupita guianensis, alias cannonball tree
Amherstia nobilis, alias Pride of Burma
Dendrobium crumenatum, alias pigeon orchid
Gloriosa superba, alias juju lily
Eucharis grandiflora, alias Amazon lily
Murraya koenigii, alias curry leaf
Scadoxus multiflorus, alias blood lily
Rothmannia longiflora, alias ivory trumpet
Furcraea selloa, alias false agave
Tacca chantrieri, alias bat flower
Bauhinia pottsii, alias orchid tree