EVERGREEN TAPAK KUCING SHRUB (POLYSCIAS GUILFOYLEI)

Besides flowering plants, I too have many green leafy plants in my garden. One of them is the evergreen Tapak Kucing plant. It is also know as Geranium Aralia from the Araliaceae family. It can grow to a height of 3 meters or more.

Tapak Kucing shrub grows well both in full sunlight and in shady places. It can be grown in pots as a indoor plant or in ground as hedge, or as ornamental landscaping plant. It is not fussy and can grow well in average soil condition.

It can be easily trimmed and shaped as a bonsai tree. It does not need much fertilizer.

Medicinal uses: To treat scabies, ringworm and skin diseases: Crush or pound the leaves and paste onto affected parts.

I started my plant from stem cutting. It is very easy to grow them from stem cuttings. Remove some of the leaves from the cut stems and stick the stems into moist garden soil, keep them under shade and it will grow.

The sap from the cut stem may cause irritation, is considered a toxic plant and is not edible. It is advisable to place the plant out of reach of little children and pets.

(This picture shows the upper side of the leaf.)

I have been wondering why this plant is named Tapak Kucing (in Malay) or does it means "Cat's Paw Print" in English? I plucked a leaf and looked at it closely and it does look like a cat's paw print. I copied these free clip art of the cat's paw prints from ClipArtBest.com to show the resemblance.

(And this picture shows the under side of the leaf.)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

(Proverbs 1:7, New International Version-NIV)

A HEARTY BREAKFAST OF NOODLES AND STUFFED FISH PASTE VARIETIES AT KOPITIAM HUAN LE, FIRST GARDEN, IPOH

Having a hearty breakfast after our early morning walk at Kopitiam Huan Le, Lorong Taman 11, Taman Pertama, Ipoh.

This particular morning, after walking four rounds in the recreation park, I could hear my tummy rumbling loudly. The nearest place to get a tasty, satisfying breakfast is none other than Kopitiam Huan Le. This is the place known for the famous Fish Noodles and all the different stuffed fish paste varieties to go with the clear soup noodle, dry stir with dark sauce noodle and curry noodle.

There are many varieties for you to choose from. The fried varieties are all freshly fried from the kitchen.

And more varieties....

I had a hard time deciding what I want. Finally I picked these....

And these.....

A bowl of curry beehoon topped with irresistible vegetable curry. With all these fried and curry choices, all my effort to burn calories came to naught!

Hubby's bowl of clear soup beehoon....

A bowl of herbal egg hot drink minus the egg.

The stall selling the Fish Noodle and stuffed fish varieties is closed on Mondays but the other stalls selling fried noodles and wanton mee are open for business.

For even when we were with you,

we gave you this rule:

"If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

(2 Thessalonians 3:10, New International Version-NIV)

Lantana Camara Or Bunga Tahi Ayam

Today I will post about another flower plant from my garden. It is called Lantana Camara or Bunga Tahi Ayam (in Malay). I wonder why it was given the name Bunga Tahi Ayam (in Malay)? Could it be due to the unpleasant smell coming from the bruised or crushed leaf?

Lantana Camara is an evergreen bush or a shrub with many branches spreading out in different directions. It grows well in warm, sunny climate with moist, well-drained soil. This plant can be found growing wild in many places. Some may consider it as weed. It is not easily affected by pests.

Lantana Camara can easily grow from seeds, from cuttings or root suckers. So far I have only tried growing from stem cuttings.

This shrub can grow to about 1 to 1.5 metres (3 to 5 feet) tall. It can be grown as a hedge or an ornamental plant for its striking, multi colour flowers.

It blooms throughout the year and its flowers come in many different colours. The flowers are small and in clusters. As the flowers bloom, the colours change in stages from lighter to darker shades.

The ones in my garden will change from pink, yellow, orange to bright red. I was told that the red-flowered ones are more toxic than those of the lighter shades. Oh dear, are my plants the more toxic ones? The flowers turn orange and red when fully bloomed like in the photos.

The fruit is small, light greenish to black. Unripe berry or fruit and leaves are considered very toxic, so it is wise to keep this plant far away from children and pets. It is claimed that the seeds germinate very easily. I have yet to try seeds germination,

The leaves are rough on the top side and hairy underside and may cause itchiness to those with sensitive skin.

The young stalks and stems are covered with fine prickly hairs when they are tender. As they age, the stems become woody.

I was told that the ugly patches on the leaves that look like burnt marks revealed that the soil is lacking in some minerals. They may not look pretty on the plants but there is nothing to worry about, the plants will not be harmed in anyway.

Claims of medicinal values and uses:-

• To treat swelling and pain of body, skin eruptions and ulcers: Pound the leaves to a paste and apply to wounds and ulcers to reduce swelling.

• To treat rheumatism: Soak leaves in water and apply water to joints.

As it is with all herbs and all their side effects, it is advisable to use them with caution especially those plants that are said to be toxic. We are using them at our own risks.

Charm is deceptive, and the beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

(Proverbs 31:30, New International Version-NIV)