Flower Photos: Night Blooming Powderpuff Tree

Sagaribana (サガリバナ) in Japan

 

 

Barringtonia racemosa is the scientific name for this flowering tree.

A hint from a local tipster, sent us out with the cameras last night.

Arriving before sunset was a good idea; it helped us get oriented.

It's always nice to meet the people who tend the plants and organize the displays.

The flowers were not opened, yet but, it was a good time to photograph the leaves.

Sometimes, identification of flowers can be difficult.

Images from several angles, including blossoms, buds, bark and leaves makes it easier.

The best time for viewing these delicate blossoms is after 9PM.

Researching with the images I saved, plenty of information was available.

The plant contains a poison that may be used to stun fish.

The Zulus in Africa, utilize the fruit as a malaria treatment.

The seeds, in Bengal, are used to poison an enemy.

If one of your Bengal friends, does it to you, try coconuts to cure yourself.


Known as Fish-poison Tree in India, it is also called Freshwater Mangrove.

At Wild Singapore, we learned, the trees are found mostly in parks; rarely in the wild.

They say, in the Philippines, the fruits are used to poison wild boars.

At the University of Hawaii some other uses for this plant may be seen at:

 The gentleman guiding us through the display of flowers was certainly helpful.

There were bees, moths and mosquitoes buzzing all over the place.

When he suggested it was best to tour the flowers after 8PM, we listened.

Things became calmer, later in the evening and the wind died down somewhat.

All photos were taken with available lighting and no flash.

My favorite, this last one, was taken at 8:59PM.


Additional Reading


Philippine Medicinal Plants

Ryukyu Shimpo 400 Year Old Sagaribana

Powderpuff Trees Bloom at Night 

USDA

Wildlife Okinawa

Plant Photos: Powderpuff Tree (Barringtonia racemosa)

These Flowers Could Be in the Doozies Files

 

Always on the lookout for something new and unusual, I spotted them on Zamami-jima.

Another thing I always do, is look for karaoke bars when I'm on another island.

It was late at night and there were spotlights turned on the tree.

Sitting down on the ground with the tripod I was trying to get the blasted camera to focus.

There was way too much beer in me already.

Along came a pretty blond girl and pack of guys who had way too much something, too.

And, they were looking for a karaoke bar.

So, off we went.

There's only one karaoke joint, that I know of, on that island.

We found it and sang songs plus, had a few more beers.

After everybody drank themselves under the table, they went home.

So, I stayed a little bit longer.

It was way past midnight when I got back to this flowering tree.

Just when I figured out how to get my camera focusing, the lights went out.

So, I asked the guy who flipped the switch if he'd turn them back on, for just a second.

 The rumor, I had heard was, these things only bloom at night.

Click, click, click and I was out of there.

ISBN4-900668-63-X is a Japanese book, I used to ID the plant.

That's where I got the name Barringtonia racemosa.

None of the sources I found online mention the flowers being night bloomers.

So, maybe, I'll have to re-visit that island and see if they bloom in daylight.

It could be a myth or, they have some sort of hybrid growing over there.

It would really be nice if I could capture these flowers in daylight for you.

Then, I could pack the camera away and go karaoke without it !

More about:  Barringtonia racemosa