3 Memorable Malaysian Herbaceous Plants l Our Breathing Planet

We hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 3 Memorable Malaysian Herbaceous Plants. It was certainly our pleasure to gather the data for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

Certainly, these few species listed herein represent only a portion of the similar marvels found in this area. It’s our belief, though, that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders that exist. Check out some of our other articles for similar marvels.

Shameplant

Shameplant Facts

Leading off this article about these 3 Memorable Malaysian Heerbaceous Plants we present the intriguing product of Nature known as the Shameplant.
Perhaps most notably, this deceptively simple-seeming flora most frequently goes by the common name given herein. Do not let that term fool you, however. In reality, it represents a fascinatingly evolved member of the pea/legume Family.
It also goes by several other common names, though. These alternate terms themselves further provide subtle clues to its unique nature. Those terms include the sleepy plant, the sensitive plant, the action plant, and, most distinctively, the touch-me-not.
Professional researchers, meanwhile know it best by its scientific name of Mimosa pudica. By either of these many terms, though, it remains a remarkably adapted species. It’s often planted by gardeners solely out of appreciation for its remarkable traits.
The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus made the first formal recognition of the plant as a separate and distinct species. This intriguing recognition, furthermore, took place in the year 1753. The official publication of his work appeared in a book he published.
Fortunately, the awesome Shameplant appears to be maintaining a population that’s both sufficient and stable. This further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its natural range. The IUCN therefore currently lists it as Least Concern on its Red List.
This status nevertheless remains uncertain, due to rapidly changing factors. For now, it faces no immediate threat from habitat loss, due to its range of appearance. It remains vulnerable to the same danger posed by climate change as all species, however.

Shameplant, Mimosa pudica — Source: https://bit.ly/39oFFzv Public Domain Image

Shameplant Physical Description

Despite its name, the incredible Shameplant has absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. In this wonderful species of Angiosperm, Nature created a flora possessed of an astounding ability, in fact. It also evolved to develop as either a perennial or annual flowering plant.

When young, the thin central stem it produces remains mostly erect. As it ages, however, this turns into a creeping vine. In point of fact, this stem, which frequently branches, often hangs quite low, and has a decidedly limp consistency to it. It also has a prickly convering.

In total, the central stem attains an average length of roughly 5 ft (1.5 m). Form this, the many smaller stems branch out and develop elongated leaves. These further generally number between 10 – 26 in total, evenly arranged on opposite sides of the stem.

The flowers of the Shameplant, meanwhile, also appear along the length of the central stem. After blooming, these present as either a bright purple or a pale pink in color. Its prickly skinned fruit also develops in clusters of 2 -8 small pods, and contain tiny brown seeds.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperm
Class: Eudicots
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Mimosa
Species: M. pudica

Shameplant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The amazing Shameplant presently has a primarily pantropical distribution, as well as also appearing in other regions. It originally evolved as native to portions of Central America and South America, however. The actions of man quickly spread the plant, though.

Now, this highly adaptable plant grows in the wild in many scattered parts of the globe. These include such regions as southern Africa, southern and eastern Asia. It’s also become quite well established in southern portions of the United States, in North America.

Its adaptability further serves to allow it to flourish in varied climates and habitats. Its native one, though, consisted of the tropical portions of Central and South America. The intrepid species nonetheless thrives, apparently equally well, in different temperate regions.

It nonetheless primarily grows in soil types that might surprise most people. That’s because it grows best in areas consisting of nutrient poor soils. The Shameplant also, however, prefers direct sunlight, performing less well in regions including copious shade.

It’s best known, though, for one amazing attribute. That’s due to the fact that its leaves actively defend themselves from damage! More precisely, if shaken or touched, these fold in on themselves in a matter of seconds. These then open again a few minutes later.

Pale Umbrella Orchid

Pale Umbrella Orchid Facts

Next up in this compilation of 3 Memorable Malayasian Herbaceous Plants comes the distinctive natural wonder named the Pale Umbrella Orchid.
This magnificent product of floral evolution most frequently goes by the descriptive common name due to its appearance. For the moment, the natural marvel has no other accepted general title. Though not unknown, that’s somewhat uncommon.
Within the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better known by its technical designation. Unfortunately, that term’s virtually unpronounceable for the average layperson. That’s because it bears the formal epithet of Bulbophyllum longiflorum.
The remarkable Angiosperm received that tag due to the efforts of Louis-Marie Aubert du Petit-Thouars. The highly respected French botanist accomplished the first acknowledgement of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that feat in 1822.
Sadly, though, the beautiful Pale Umbrella Orchid currently finds itself in somewhat dire straits. That lamentable situation further holds true throughout the entirety of its native range. The IUCN therefore presently lists is as Vulnerable on its Red List.
The remarkable plant faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. Like most forms of life on earth today, most of these stem from the actions of man. In its case, these include illegal collecting of the plant and the dangers of climate change.

Pale Umbrella Orchid, Bulbophyllum longiflorum — Source: https://tinyurl.com/2y4c6way Photo: I likE plants!
CCL: https://tinyurl.com/22y23f9m

Pale Umbrella Orchid Physical Description

Like its many relatives around the globe, the amazing Pale Umbrella Orchid instantly captivates those fortunate enough to view it. Also following their pattern, the breathtaking flora does so due to a combination of its great beauty and intriguing base nature.

This marvelous species develops many multiple long, thin, stems, called rhizomes. These usually extend outward along a surface, typically with a single leaf each. This foliage has an elongated oval form, and generally displays a light to moderately-dark shade of green.

Yet, it’s understandable that the highly distinctive flowers of the amazing plant are what receive the most complimentary thoughts. These delicate marvels of botany develop at the ends of each of the stems. This part of the Angiosperm truly impresses the observer.

The gorgeous blooms appear in groups ranging from 5 – 8 in number. These assemblages also spread outward in a semi-circular pattern. Flowers vary in length, even on the same parent. However, each typically averages somewhere between 3.9 – 7.9 in (10 – 20 cm).

The fabulous Pale Umbrella Orchid manifests each of these eye-catching blossoms at the end of a short, even thinner stem. That part of the orchid measures a mean length of 0.6 – 0.8 in (1.5 – 2.0 cm). It also projects nearly horizontally from the end of the rhizome.

Yet, it’s the stunning appearance of those flowers that must be seen to be believed. They grow elongated in nature, measuring an average of 1.2 – 1.6 in (3 – 4 cm) in length. In width, though, these blooms generally manage a width of roughly 0.12 – 0.2 in (0.3 0.5 cm).

The pattern of coloring of these marvelous aspects of the flora also makes them deserving of admiration. That’s because backgrounds vary, ranging from yellowish to greenish-cream. That’s usually further augmented by the presence of small, random purple dots or spots.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: Bulbophyllum
Species: B. longiflorum

Pale Umbrella Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The spectacular Pale Umbrella Orchid also evolved as native to an unusual habitat range. That’s true due to the fact that it lives across a wide expanse of the earth’s surface. Yet, within that greater zone of habitation, populations seem to be quite sparsely spread.

Some of these locations include small sections of both Africa and Australia, and Malaysia, in Asia. From there, though, its only seen natively on a number of island and archipelagos. These include such sites as Fiji, New Guinea, Seychelles, and New Caledonia, to name a few.

This botanical wonder also developed requirements regarding its choice of habitat that run to both ends of the spectrum. In one respect, it’s very exact in where it chooses to live. Yet, in another manner, it displays decidedly strong flexibility about its habitat location.

For starters, the species appears naturally almost exclusively in either hill forests or tropical rainforests. That’s very specific. But, inside of those two regions, it dwells at a wide range of altitudes. The plant lives at heights that range from sea level to 5,600 ft (1,707 m).

The beautiful Pale Umbrella Orchid has adapted to the different parts of the world in which it appears. It therefore flowers during various periods of the year in its separate areas of habitation. In all regions, however, it achieves pollination via the actions of many insects.

Inside Africa, the remarkable product of Nature typically blooms between the months of October and January. In Australia, though, this occurs from January to March. Incredibly, though, in New Guinea the flora blossoms continually throughout the entirety of the year.

Phoenix Plant

Phoenix Plant Facts

Closing out this listing of 3 Memorable Malaysian Herbaceous Plants we give you the gorgeous species best known by the term of Moon Orchid.
This gorgeous Angiosperm, with a nature that might surprise you, most frequently goes by the common name presented here. It does have a few other, alternate general names, though, These include the terms moth orchid, and also the anggrek bulan.
Among scientific professionals, such as researchers, it goes by a far different name, however. That term, though, is a bit of a mouthful for non-professionals. That’s because the marvel also bears the tongue-twisting moniker of the Phalaenopsis amabilis.
The flora received the official name that it currently holds due to the efforts of the German-Dutch botanist, Charles Ludwig de Blume. It previously held other names, assigned by other researchers. His work, however, changed it to the current one in 1825.
For now, the magnifent creation of Nature appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. This fortunate fact further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its range. The IUCN, therefore, has no current listing for it.
The dazzling Moon Orchid nonetheless does face at least a few potential threats to its continued existence. Illegal collection of the wonder from its natural habitat continues, despite efforts to curb the practice. Invasive species also pose a potential threat.
Factors such as habitat degradation or outright destruction pose further dangers. Both of these occur chiefly due to the actions of man, either directly or indirectly. Likewise, the accelerating effects of climate change also threaten it, like most other species.

Moon Orchid, Phalaenopsis amabilis — Source: https://bit.ly/3MXFGLx Photo: Orchi
CCL: https://bit.ly/3kOul4j

Moon Orchid Physical Description

The aptly-named Moon Orchid easily impresses those who encounter it with its celestial beauty, to be ceertain. Yet, sheer visual appeal alone isn’t the only remarkable characteristic of this marvelous Angiosperm. The gorgeous flora also has a fascinating physical nature.

That’s because this particular variety of orchid evolved as what botanists call epiphytic and lithophytic. That means that this stunner grows not in the soil, but either on the surface of a host plant, or on rocks. Nature never fails to amaze with its wondrous resourcefulness!

Those incredible roots occasionally attain lengths of up to 3.3 ft (1 m). These also develop extremely flattened in shape. Each of these vital structures additionally develops as quite narrow. Each typically only measures about 0.12 – 0.16 in (3 – 4 mm) in overall width.

Its foliage, meanwhile, also merits notice. Individual plants produce 2 – 8 distinctive leaves apiece. The leaves generally present either an egg-shaped or oblong structure. Lengths further average from 5.9 – 12 in (15 – 30 cm). Widths, though, average 1.6 – 2.8 in (4 – 7 cm).

The stems each Moon Orchid produces from which to display its blooms averages 3.9 – 12 in (10 – 30 cm) in length. This structure, however, typically remains concealed by the bases of the leaves. Each branch also produces between 2 – 20 long-lasting flowers on short stalks.

But, it’s the blooms that easily garner the most interest. These average 2.4 – 2.8 in (6 – 7 cm) in length, and 2 – 3.1 in (5 – 8 cm) in width. The labellum, which attracts its pollinators, displays white, with yellowish and red markings. The blooms, though, show brilliant white.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophytes
Class: Angiosperm
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: Phalaenopsis
Species: P. amabilis

Moon Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately for the mesmerizing Moon Orchid, it evolved as native to a comparatively wide section of the globe. That’s due to the fact that populations of the beautiful plant appear in both parts of Asia, and the continent of Australia. That dispersal gives it an advantage.

Within its concentration in Asia, it appears from Palawan Island, in the Philippines, to Borneo. It also lives in parts of Java and Sumatra. At least three recognized subspecies also inhabit much of the same range. In Australia, it mainly lives in Paluma Range National Park.

Though exceptions occur, this marvel displays preferences for its choice of habitat. That’s due to the fact that the vast majority of specimens develop in regions of extremely precise ecological factors. These consist of rainforest areas, with high humidity and good air flow.

It’s also precise concerning other factors. Given its somewhat unusual nature, it requires a physical host to cling to. In its native state, this most often consists of trees. It does, however, sometimes appear on stones. Yet it rarely clings to man-made structures in its area.

Like most plants, the Moon Orchid accomplishes its reproduction via pollination. Also like others of its kind, it achieves this through the actions of insect. In its case, this mainly occurs due to the visits of local bees. Interestingly, though, its mainly carpenter bees that visit.

It also plays an important cultural role in parts of its range. In Indonesia, it represents one of three official National Flowers. The plant holds similar importance in other regions as well, however. It’s also the official flower of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia.