Strictly No Durian

That's me taking a picture of the notice which says it all. On location shooting: At a hotel in Bintulu.

A Pacific Islander in Bintulu

The above is  a long shot view ( LS) of the Sukun tree ( Artocarpus communis Forst. or sometimes referred to as Artocarpus altilis) . Originated from the Pacific Islands, it has now become a popular plant found  in the gardens and farms of rural Bintulu.  The tree can reach 30 meters. The leaves are wide i.e. around 20 -30 cm and about 30-60cm long.

These breadfruits are large, has thick skin and mainly cooked when they are semi-ripe as fritters,smoked or prepared with coconut milk as vegetables. There are of course many other ways how the fruits are cooked or prepared depending from which tropical area you come from.  The fruits are non-seasonal and therefore can be available all year round in Bintulu. Depending on size each fruit can fetch a price of between RM 3- RM5 at the local Tamu or jungle produce market.  The sukun fruits are seedless and therefore are propagated through root cuttings or marcots. The fruits are ovalish and cylinderical and the diameter can be between 10-30cm . It is believed that by drinking water from the boiled leaves can reduce high blood pressure and relieve asthma.

Colourful Jungle Sprouts

I was out early this morning walking through the jungle tracks at my farm and found these colourful leaves sprouting out from the jungle floor. The one above are suggestive gestures of a dance like movement.

The dark purple oval young leaves of the forest climber above has just sprouted and soon will begin to find support to climb up the jungle canopy.

Red-fleshed seeds of Dillenia

The Shrubby Dillenia ( Dillenia suffruticosa) which is locally known as 'Simpoh Air' has fruits when split open exposes the red-fleshed seeds that are a real treat for the birds here.

Angsana Trees Flowering in Bintulu

The Angsana trees are in flowering mode right now in Bintulu. Bintulu has a total stretch of 25 kilometers of these huge ,compact and spreading canopies of lush green leaves since they were planted some 25 years ago, in a bid to catch up with the fever of urban landscaping comparable with major towns like Kuching (then but now a city). Angsana flowers are fragrant, bright yellow in colour and last only a day, after which they fall off to the ground leaving a carpet mass of yellow flowers.

'Tipuk' Fruits are in Season

These are images of the local fruit called 'Tipuk' by the Bintulu Melanaus or 'Panyun' by the Ibans. They belong to the Zingiberaceae family ( Ginger family) and of the Hornstedia species. I took these pictures while doing my weekend shopping at the local jungle produce market we call 'Tamu' in Bintulu last Sunday. These fruits have a sweet sour taste and are eaten raw. The contents of the small bowl (in white) is sold at One Ringgit Malaysia.

Flowers of the Ironwood Tree

The locals call it 'Penanga' and refers to the Ironwood Tree ( Mesua ferrea) which produces these attractive medium sized white petals and bright yellow stamens. They normally flower twice a year in Bintulu.

White Ginger Lily

I made a cutting of this flower spike of the local White Ginger Lily ( Hedychium coronarium) this morning and had it placed in my living room. Instantly the whole room was perfumed with the sweetest of smell. Who needs room refreshers?

Wild Banana Inflorescence

A close up view of the inflorescence of a wild banana plant , locally called 'Pisang Lengki'( Musa hirta) by the Ibans is seen at my garden. For the local Ibans, this flower spike can be smoked and eaten raw as salad.

Indian 'Goa Tree' flowering in Bintulu

Goa Tree

Yesterday ( 17/7) while paying a visit to the wood factory at Bintulu town, I passed this flowering Goa Tree. Situated along the main highway into the Bintulu Town proper, just a few meters away from Ngiu Kee Supermarket , this Goa Tree ( well, you reckon the trees must have flourished in Goa, India and then brought over to this part of the world) was about its mature height i.e. 10- 15 m high. The flowers are small and purplish. In Bintulu it is grown as a roadside tree on residential roads and aterial and sub-arterial town roads. Good for shade and specimen planting, too. Its column of leaves are typically round in shape though when it gets slightly older the crown may look spreading. After the flowering season is over, the tree will bear fruits that are like almond- shaped ( like our local ' kedundong' fruit ( Otaheite or ambarella). Fruits of our local kedundong are edible but not the Goa Tree fruits. As a roadside tree, due to its height and spreading nature, it is best to plant them at a planting distance of 40 meters. Oh, ya just for the record, some people call this tree, the cabbage tree.

Grape Fruits Ripening in Bintulu

Today I was spending a short afternoon rest at the Tanjung Batu shoreline. Much to my delight I noticed this Sea Grape tree ( Coccoloba uvifera) fruiting and on some branches the fruits were ripe in purple colours.



Sea Grapes are a tropical tree that does well along coasts, well drained soil and in full sun. Note the almost circular shape of the leaves ( about 20 - 30 cm long.



The ripe fruits are edible. I have tried to propagate them previously by seeds and I found that the germination rate was about 70 %. Presently I do have a healthy specimen grown at my eco-farm.

The Great Frangipani ( Plumeria obtusa)

Today is Friday and is a day of great religiosity for Muslims. Later in the day I'll be on my way to Bintulu town to join the congregation in Friday prayers. Thus I woke up very early to enjoy the fresh morning air and to witness the early morning blooms. I walked towards the back of my chalet and found this frangipani tree in terminal flowers. The flowers are extremely fragrant.



I understand that the name 'plumeria' was derived from a French botanist who did describe several on this tropical plant species way back in the 17 th century. In Sarawak it is one of the easiest plant to propagate and grow because it loves our tropical heat and open sun.


I plucked two branches with terminal flowers and placed them in a large sea shell turned upside down.

Big boats, small boats

Bintulu , once a tiny riverine town is always the place to see boats in Sarawak. In the foreground are boats for hire that charge by the hour. The bigger boats in the background ferry workers to offshore oil rigs and gas platforms.

Epiphytic fern

This epiphytic fern grows naturally in my farm. This species is called the Stag's Horn Fern ( Platycerium coronarium). This particular piece was taken from the jungle and transplanted by me at a small tree by my verandah. It has been growing well since two years ago.

"Joey" Bar

This is a 'young kangaroo' bar indeed. Seen at a car park in Bintulu ye( Note: Joey=a young kangaroo)

A "Sea Apple" tree in flower

Today is exceptionally hot in Bintulu. In this steaming weather and many many more dry and sunny days ahead expect a wonderful display of colours as the many trees here begin to show their colourful inflorescence's . Well ,today I was very lucky to have come across this handsome Jambu Laut or Sea Apple tree (Eugenia grandis ) flowering by the corner of Temple Street, Bintulu. This tree must be about 20 meters high. This tree is really a native to Bintulu and many other coastal towns of Malaysia. However in this particular instance, this tree must have been planted more than ten years ago when the local authority decided to create a mini park behind the Chinese Temple. Providing much needed shade against tropical heat, such trees should be grown more around Bintulu town not merely as park trees but also roadside trees.

Rockery by the Sidewalk

It is interesting to see this group of rocks that are installed by the sidewalk in front of Farley Supermarket, Medan Jaya, Bintulu. I would like to blog more on Bintulu sidewalks from now on. I thought this picture will break initial ground on what is meant by sidewalk to many people. It is interesting to note here a feeling of "solidness" in this grouping of boulders and accentuated by a clever use of plants.

Salted fish on pavement

Today's hot weather was just ideal for drying salted fish on the hot pavement. Bintulu is famous for its fresh fishes and any unsold ones end up on the pavement like this.

Excellent blood red heliconia

This heliconia variety has slightly light green edge and a dark green tip on a dark red bract. I find this species very easy to grow in Bintulu. It grows in a clump. Propagation is by division. This variety is excellent for cut flowers or in a flower arrangement.

Colourful bracts of heliconia

An elegant variety of heliconia with its long pendulous pink bracts . This species is becoming popular in Bintulu for its exotic appeal and minimal maintenance. Best planted in shady locations and loamy soil.