Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina (Chubut

Province). Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus. The name comes from Louis Antoine de Bougainville, an admiral

in the French Navy who discovered the plant in Brazil in 1768.

They are thorny, woody, vines growing anywhere from 1-12 meters tall, scrambling over other plants with their hooked thorns. The thorns are

tipped with a black, waxy substance that is easily left in the flesh of an unsuspecting victim. They are evergreen where rainfall occurs

all year, or deciduous if there is a dry season. The leaves are alternate, simple ovate-acuminate, 4-13 cm long and 2-6 cm broad. The

actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the

bright colors associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow. Bougainvillea glabra is sometimes

referred to as "paper flower" because the bracts are thin and papery. The fruit is a narrow five-lobed achene.

Bougainvillea are relatively pest-free plants, but may suffer from worms and aphids. The larvae of some Lepidoptera species also use them

as food plants, for example the Giant Leopard Moth.

These are photos of bougainvillea flowers taken from my home garden.

Orchids

An orchid is a member of the Orchidaceae family, the largest group of all living flowers. There are at least 25,000 different species of orchids, with probably thousands more that remain unknown or unclassified. Horticulturists have also created over 100,000 hybrids for commercialization, as orchids are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

An orchid can grow in almost any climate except deserts, but most of them are native to tropical and subtropical climates, with tropical America having the largest variety. An orchid can also grow in all kinds of soil, including rocky soil or anchored on trees. The color of an orchid depends mainly on where they grow. While Asian orchids are bright and multicolored, an African orchid is usually white. The same is true of their format and size, which varies greatly from species to species.

Of the many different types of orchids known, some are fairly easy to grow at home. An orchid is amazingly sturdy and can survive in the basic of conditions, as long as they're kept in a warm environment with plenty of sunlight. Due to the many different kinds of orchids available, it's important to do research before choosing the one you want. Some bloom once a year, while others bloom continuously.

An orchid is primarily grown as decoration. Aside from the beauty of the plant, an orchid has little commercial value. One interesting exception is the orchid known as Vanilla Planifolia, from which vanilla flavoring is made. An orchid is not longer the "flower of kings." Once extremely expensive, orchids can be now grown at home or bought at nurseries almost anywhere in the world.

The Singapore Botanical Gardens contains the world's largest collection of orchids, including some locally-grown hybrids not available anywhere else in the world. Although the garden attracts thousands of visitors every year, most go home empty handed, as only a few species are for sale here.

From: wisegeek.com

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawela orphanage is situated northwest of the town Kegalla, halfways between the present capitol Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife department. This 24 acres large elephant orphanage is a also breeding pace for elephants, twenty elephants were born since 1984, and it has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world. The difference between the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala and Ath Athuru Sevena Transit Home at Uda Walawe is that at the Transit Home these baby elephants once cared for are released to the wilds when they reach a certain age.

The Elephant Orphanage is a sanctuary for rescued, injured or abused elephants and attracts visitors from all over the world to view these magnificent animals. Around 70 elephants have found homes at Pinnawala, including some small babies who have been born into the herd.

The Orphanage is reputedly one of the largest, if not the largest, centres of its kind in the world, with one of the most successful captive breeding programmes for Asian elephants.

Peradeniya Botanic Gardens

Peradeniya Botanic Gardens, near Kandy, Sri Lanka, noted for its rich and varied collections of tropical woody plants. Occupying 59 hectares (146 acres), it has about 4,000 species of plants. The most important specimens of the garden include palms, some of which are planted in impressive avenues. Significant, too, are the collections of orchids, gymnosperms, and flowering…

Sigiriya Rock

Sigiriya or the Lion Rock in Sri Lanka is considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. This impregnable rock fortress was built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century AD.

This legendary place in the sky rises a majestic 600 feet above the surrounding jungle. Equipped with a sophisticated water system, a gallery of paintings, pavilions and courtyards at its summit and landscaped with pleasure gardens at ground level, this ancient wonder was designed to cater to everyday life of royalty in the illustrious past.

Visitors are highly attracted to this place for its historical value and for the adventurous rock climbing opportunity that uplift the spirit for reaching the skies while your feet are still on solid ground...

Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park is Sri Lanka's one of the most prime and famous place for eco tourism.

Spread over 8890 hectares, this wildlife park consists of both evergreen woodland and grassy scrub areas. A variety of different animal species are ruling this beautiful terrain namely elephants, leopards, deers on the land whilst birds - the island's avian denizens ruling the the skies all over them. Yet the intense aspect of the Minneriya Park is the Minneriya Tank built by the King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD.

If you are a wildlife lover and ready for an adventures safari in a deep jungle with your binoculars to zoom-in, Minneriya is yet another ideal place for you to lay your footprints and take only the beautiful wild memories back home...