My Favourite Orange Flowers

I went for a stroll at the Penang Botanic Gardens the other morning. Being a weekday, it was quiet and as I walked with the cool breeze fanning my cheeks, I thought how nice it would be to live here surrounded by rolling hills, lush tropical rain forest, beautiful plants and flowers - all of which can be so inspiring.

I went in search of my favourite orange flowers and found them blooming profusely in the Formal Garden.

Known as "Bauhinia Kockiana", it is a free-flowing climber and blooms the whole year round. The orange and yellow flowers cascade in delightful clusters and are very pretty to look at.

Another interesting flower is that of the "Cannonball Tree" (as it is popularly called). Native to South America, the size of its fruit is similar to that of a cannon ball, hence the name. The flowers are strongly perfumed, have six petals and are maroon in colour.

The "Cannonball Tree"

I was most interested to learn that the Hindus revere the tree as sacred because the petals of the flowers resemble the hood of the Naga, a sacred snake, protecting a Shiva Lingam (the stigma).

If you have time, talk a walk in the Botanic Gardens. There is plenty to see, especially if you are a nature lover!