Observations by kimdavid53

Native to S. Africa this plant is aka...Carnival Bush and Mickey Mouse plant. Supposed to be fragrant, but I didn't smell anything at all. Attracts birds and bees. Nice green and black fruits with a yellow flower. Considered invasive in Australia and New Zealand.

This particular plant has already bloomed at least 2, possibly 3 times over the last maybe 6 months. Really pretty but toxic to both dogs and cats....bulbs especially! The leaves are low to the ground and the center stalk is about 1m (3ft.) tall with 9 flowers coming out of the stalk.

While doing my daily walk, I noticed a man standing by the small tree, and he appeared to be picking something from it. Later on, I saw a woman do the same and also pick something off the ground. I walked over to the tree and took some photos. There looked to be some small bunches of pink flowers and some kind of cherry-like fruit, although not too much. Maybe it had all been picked. Apparently, these "cherries" and sweet and edible. Mystery solved...I think! Maybe I'll try one next time if there are any. I went back to get some pictures of the "fruits" and fond some rip ones that had fallen onto the floor and not eaten. I tried the red berry and found it to be quite bitter...not sweet at all!

I've really grown to like this plant (bush/shrub) which can be found just about everywhere here in Taiwan. Sometimes, I'm walking down a street and this beautiful smell hits me but there are no big showy flowers nearby or Frangipani trees...just this bush/shrub with tiny yellow buds on it. closer inspection and sniffing...mystery solved, hence, the name Chinese Perfume Tree. I am wondering about the NT designation???...they do seem to be everywhere!

Aka: Buddah Head Fruit, Sugar apple, Custard apple etc. not native to Taiwan but, Taiwan is the biggest producer in the world with Taitung(Taidong) as the biggest area of production. Not sure which variety this is. Probably the Beinen pineapple sugar apple or, the Taimali Damu var. which are the 2 most popular. Only got one picture as we were actually looking for a place to eat.

aka...Yellow Oleander...thevetia peruviana or lucky-nut. This tree is highly poisonous and I have heard some stories about this small shrub or tree. There is a slight fragrance and I believe one of the pics shows one of the fruits containing 2 small oily seeds. Will go back again and look closer...maybe get a sample or two.

This is also a .ssp Varigata...notice the leaves. My phone does not do justice to this deep magenta color but trust me the color is outstanding. I also have photo of a pink variety. My understanding is they use Lesser Bougainvillea for bonsai.

This is a really pretty shrub and flower and when it is in full bloom...it looks great. The gold or orange colored berries can be toxic to people if eaten but birds don't seem to be bothered. Great for attracting butterflies. A member of the Verbena family. This darker flower may b a different variety as opposed to the lighter lilac colored flowers in one of the pics. I have also included pics of the orange colored berries/fruits or drupes as they are called. Again, can be toxic and cause intestinal problems if swallowed.

This tree has been here since I moved down to Tainan and I took a pic but didn't pay much attention to it at first. It can be seen quite a bit if you look closely in various locations. Plant is both male and female (hemaphrodite) and is supposed to be quite fragrant. I think I'll pay more attention.

I know this as a Spider Lily but it is also called a Giant/Grand Crinum Lily and Poison Bulb. Apparently the entire plant is supposed to be toxic and if eaten can cause some pretty serious effects. The sap of the plant is said to irritate the skin...maybe I'll try that to see if it is accurate. Surprisingly, this plant can be found quite easily here in Tainan and in public areas despite its toxicity. Native to SE Asia and Indian Ocean islands (Maldives, Sri Lanka, Madagascar)? Very fragrant...