The berries are born in umbels, but dry soil doesn't permit our plant to produce more fruits. One berry per umbel is common. Its diameter is less than one cm. It would be very lovely if many berries will grow per umbel resembling fireballs. However, our dry soil doesn't permit them to produce that much fruit. I also am not sure if they are eaten by birds or chickens as i haven't seen any of them eating one. Our chickens are free range and a bit deprived of food, so they will not spare the red berries if they are not poison.
These are the green berries of the Dracaena surculosa.
They look like open lipsticks, do you agree. That can be the basis why some Dischidias are called lipstick plants. The flower is about 2mm in length excluding the peduncle. I got the plant from the wild thicket portion of our property in the province. I was so happy because the leaves and habit look like hoyas. As a hoya addict, i am ecstatic for its blooming. I was a bit unsure thought because i can't seem to see old peduncles where flowers arise. Then these red buttons confirmed my suspicion, it is a Dischidia parasitica, endemic to the Philippines. I posted it on Facebook groups for identification, and there are already a few who asked for planting materials. Maybe they are the Dischidia addicts, which i am not a part of!...just yet!
This is the old stem from the forest, which flowered 3 months from cutting. The leaves are boat-like and almost 2 inches in lenght. I brushed the old dirt on some leaves, but this one flowered ahead of them. I guess brushing stressed them a bit delaying flowering. That is a bit contrary to the mechanism of flowering though! Anyway, they are very nice in hanging baskets.
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when i was living back home i wasn't very observant of my surroundings, but i'm glad you are posting these topics. thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Photo Cache, i should be, as i am one with the elements, hehe. I have a strong background in the plant sciences and the environment. And of course, blogging reinforces that!
DeleteNice to see red berries in tropical climate!
ReplyDeleteA great climate!
ReplyDeleteHappy Macro Monday.
Great shots. I always like berry shots.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
These beauties do look like miniature rubies. You've photographed them very well.
ReplyDeleteGreat reds, Andrea... YES---that one photo makes them look like open lipstick!!!!! NEAT.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Great photos and a beaultiful capture.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder why there is only one berry on a bush or tree. I usually assume it could do better, but I never thought that its genetics won't let it. Lovely photos and info.
ReplyDeleteWe call the red berry -in the first pic- kersen here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing interesting info.
http://www.womenandperspectives.com/2014/02/an-empty-stage.html
Lina, plants always have lots of common names, which vary even in adjacent towns. It is not just "the red berry on the first pic", it is Dracaena surculosa, which is the name that is common internationally, called such to remove the chaos and misunderstanding!
DeleteYes, I am all for red Andrea. Give my regards to the deprived chickens.
ReplyDeleteinteresting post! Love the red colors.
ReplyDeletePlants behave differently, yes Andrea, those living in jungle are playing it natural without facial treatment. Who knows, as the leaves get accustomed to your brushing technique, they would just love it and keep flowering..... :)
ReplyDeleteThat lipstick looking flower is so cute...
ReplyDelete