2012 science nature trail

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Nature Trail @HCPractical: 2P13

Class 2A4Ethan Tan

Glen Vintario Derrick Fung

Gan Jia JiaChong Zhi Lin

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

Scientific name: Bougainvillea

Mode of pollination: Insect

The plant transform the buds near the flowers to resemble blossoms, turning petals into a variety of colors. These colorful blossoms work to attract the bees and aid in the pollination process.

Hi! Biscus

Hibiscus

Scientific name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Mode of pollination: Insect

The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, color vary from white to pink, red, orange, purple or yellow, and from 4–18 cm broad.

They have beautiful petals that are used to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Interestingly, hibiscus nectar isn't a pollinator's top choice for tasty nectar.

Yellow Orchid

You might be able to see an ant in here if you look closely,

Orchid (Yellow Orchid)

Scientific name: Orchidaceae

Mode of pollination: Some orchids mainly or totally rely on self-pollination, especially in colder regions where pollinators are particularly rare.

Others pollinate through insects

They have beautiful petals and sweet scents to attract bees.

The orchid can also draw pollinators through visual mimicry, imitating insects including bees and butterflies with the patterns on its petals.

The slipper orchid lures a prospective pollinator to the edge of its slippery pouch, and the insect falls in.

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Ixora

Ixora

Scientific name: Ixora coccinea

Mode of pollination: Insect

It has sweet nectar that even we, humans cant resist. Many of my friends have tasted the nectar of ixora and they enjoyed it. :D

It also has a sweet fragrant that punctuates the morning air. ( no wonder they put it there----morning assembly :D)

Love Grass

Love Grass

Scientific name: Eragrostis hypnoides

Mode of pollination: Wind, mechanism (hooks)

Can be used as livestock fodder – some of its species have seeds of high nutrition level

Cow Grass???

Cow Grass???

Scientific Name :(Axonopus Compressus)

Wind Dispersed

Commonly used in Singapore. Because of its availability at low cost, it is usually used in open spaces.

Reflections - FFFF

During the trail, we were able to identify some of the more common flowers easily like the ixora. However, we did not recognise some flowers and we were unable to identify the last one in our slides which we think could be the cow grass flower. We also had a “mini-debate” over the method of pollination for this flower as it was quite small and its structure was tricky to observe. (FACT) During the trip, we were all very excited at getting to explore the different plants in the school and studying the various structures. We also felt confused when were unable to identify the structure of the plants properly and fail to recognise some of them. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. (FEELING)

Reflections - FFFF

We have learnt that it is important to observe the plants carefully and not make assumptions. It was hard to find some small and dull coloured flowers as they blended in. Also, we thought that a flower was dispersed by wind although it could have been dispersed by insects. We could not really see the structure clearly since it was so small. (FINDING)

In future, we would be more careful in observation. We will also try to look think of other factors that could help in our deduction like the place where the plant is found growing and whether there are insects nearby (or even in the flower!) (FUTURE)