Hot-Looking Chili!

Attractively-ripe for picking are these wicked-looking chili peppers, so red you can see it from a mile away! Our staff, Edwin happened to see this  chili type among condiments that were brought along some grilled items one weekend. He "connived" with Lorie to swap it with our homegrown local chili (síling labuyo) so he can let it dry and use this one solitary piece as binhî.

Now, it's two dozen small bushes fruiting with scores and scores of chili pepper!

Davalia

I cannot have enough of this beautiful Davalia fern, which has gracefully flourished on the side of a mango tree in the garden, giving the Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) an intricate, lace-like skirt to cover its underside. This is one type which we have not successfully propagated yet; it seems hard to train and quite sensitive to human interference.

Strapleaf Ferns

 Several varieties of Microsorum ferns, apparently collectively called Strapleaf Ferns, but I have also read some that refer to the one above as Sword Fern or Climbing Bird's Nest Fern (Microsorum punctatum). They have spreading rhizomes, and has generally thick, narrow and shiny yellow green leaves. The tips vary though: from pointed (above), ruffled and twisted (left), and lobed (below).

They produce their own spore case (sporangia) and would cling itself to trees, fern slabs, and practically anywhere i can get moisture and shade. All three are mature enough by now and produce their own spores on the leaves' underside tips.