An Aromatic Plant ....

A layman can  identify a plant if it has flowers, distinctive leaves, fruits and so forth  to compare  with  a known plant.  However it is difficult to search for a plant's identity when one has limited and no trained knowledge on plants, like me.  In order  to know the names  of plants I see, I surf the internet and sometimes come across interesting articles,  blogs, etc.... not  a  productive or efficient way  of research but this method works.  After all I have no deadlines to pursue! There are times I picked up books on tropical plants and browse through as well, this exposes me to more plants as well but I have yet to come across a book that I want to buy as reference.  I  buy some magazines  now and then, but  blogs on gardening are more interesting to read since these are written from first hand experience. A  magazine is handy though for bedtime reading or while  in waiting for something.  Of course  most times after having read about a plant, I forgot.  When I happen to see the plant, learning is then reinforced.  Some names are difficult to remember, common names are easier.  

Below is one plant I am fascinated with but yet to find its name....! As mentioned before sometimes while weeding I came across a baby plant that looks interesting so I don't pull it out but observe how it grows.  The leaves of this plant produces a nice aromatic smell when damaged. 

Clausena Excavata ? (Update : 3rd Sept 2011)

At first glance this plant looks  like the curry leaf  plant ( see post : 27th Sept 2010) but  on closer examination there are differences.  The leaves of this plant are smooth , including the edges and the tips are not as narrowly pointed. The curry leaves tend to curl  upwards a bit on the sides, but these leaves open flat.  The curry leaves are darker green. as well. The curry leaf plant grows more compact at the tip, this plant is more sparse.   The  aromatic scent differs from the curry leaf  although some similar compound is present.  My other half said he can detect the sarsi compound, for me I think it has a  hint of cinnamon in it......Nice puzzle.  I like the scent so I am keeping the plant, just searching for its ID. Similar to the curry leaf plant this plant does not like excessive watering. I know because this is one of the three plants  that survived.  I found  three plants that sprouted up together,  I dug  two up, planted them in a pot, but excessive watering or perhaps too much attention so they did not make it. This plant I did not touch...and so far it is doing well on the spot it sprouted up.

I have seen a similar plant growing by the padang (field) - it is about  6 to 7 feet tall, and from far it does look like the curry leaf plant except the leaves are much, much broader and bigger.  It is not bushy as the curry leaf plant.  I suspect this plant could be the mother plant as the scent of the damaged leaves is the same.  At Cameron Highlands I noticed the leaves of the curry leaf plant grows big as well, perhaps  due to the cooler temperature. 

Perhaps this plant is a family member of the curry leaf plant, and  I will continue searching, unless someone can help me out.  I am also curious to know if it is safe for consumption...., but if it is I suspect I would have found its name by now !


Update : 3rd September 2011 : Clausena Excavata ?

After numerous months surfing to identify this aromatic plant, finally I  found a plant that looks and sounds like it .... however this plant will have to flower and bear fruit before I can confirm.  Check out this site : http://www.asianplant.net/Rutaceae/Clausena_excavata.htm.  Photos of the Clausena Excavata looks very much like the plant I have, but the most distinctively description is the scent of the crushed leaves are similiar to the curry leaf , aside from the  other aromatic essential compounds as well.  Ahh...so I am pretty excited as the Clausena Excavata is said to produce medically beneficial chemicals. 

Life in the Garden ........!

How does one aptly describe the unseen activities happening in the garden?   For  me,  the garden is a special place where growth takes  place in delightful ways  !  Always these  growth (once observed ) never ceased to surprise and excite me!  I am always reminded  that nature is  unpredictable and in command whenever  I stepped into the mini piece of area  I called my 'garden' (my other half described the place as  'Jungle' but he  mis-pronounced it  as 'Young Girl' , so peace and tranquility prevails ....lolz !)   For the record, my garden is young....it has been 2 years since we moved here.  It was  after June 2009  that I  started  to work on the garden.

Before I get side tracked as I usually do ( a sure sign of getting on...) perhaps  I should focus  on what I wanted to blog on.... :- ) !

1. Two weeks ago or so,  I lamented to my sister that  the hippeastrums  (posted :  29th August 2010) had not bloomed !  I have some bulbs in pots and some planted on the ground. I know she liked them just as much as I do .....and she was the one who helped me plant them.  To  rub salt to the wound, my neighblour's hippeastrum were flowering  so were those that grow by the padang (field) !  My hippeastrum were  healthy,  but all leaves and no flowers....haiz !  The last they bloomed ?  Seems like ages ago.....so what is this that  sprouted up overnight ? A bud  !!


Yeah... does this mean more will be coming my way ?  Hope so.....

2. We all love the bitter gourd .....so  when one  plant sprouted up,  (must be from the compost I collected from veg and fruit cuttings  that I sometimes put  to the  garden),  I did not pull it out.  It grew and I like the smell  of the plant very much, so I just let it be.....Each time I watered my plants, whenever I touch the bitter gourd plant,  it  exudes the fresh pleasant clean smell.....and the plants looks nice with its dainty light green leaves and curly tendrils.  One morning  - to my astonishment  this was spotted !

The plant is so small and fragile.  I did not  expect it to fruit at all !  Is this a hint that I should start on some home grown vegetables?  Perhaps, perhaps.......!  

3.  This plant must be a family member of the Bird Nest Fern (posted  :  8th November 2010 ) plant....! See the unusual shaped leaf ?  The texture of the leaf is the same as the Bird Nest Fern...... The leaves were all lancet shaped .... then this new leaf appeared - in tri-pinnate form .... ! Well, I am observing closely its development - unless someone can enlighten me on the ID of this plant first  !

 
4.  These are the passion fruits, they are almost ready to drop.......what a long wait, almost 3 months ! (See posts 29th Nov and 27th Dec 2010; 9th Jan and 11th Feb 2011) !

5. When my gardenias  and periwinkle came  under  attack,  I immediately  knew who the culprits were ! So a bit of examination  around the plants....and the culprits were captured ! Into the caterpillars sanctuaries they go - the ones that attacked the gardenias  (posted 23rd August 2010) are the Clear Wing Hummingbird Caterpillars (see my post on : 9th November 2010 ) and I do not want to kill them.  The caterpillars that attacked the Periwinkle is a big brown month  - ID unknown as yet.  Now I am  switched on to  "Caterpillar Alert" ..... these beautiful caterpillars  are such veracious eaters .....overnight they  practically chomp the whole plant down, flower buds and  leaves ...leaving the bare stalks !

Captured in Santuary... Clearwing Hummingbird

ID unknown...note the lovely 'eyes' and waggy 'tail' !

Both captured safely in Santuary !