Penang Botanical Gardens or fondly refer to as "Waterfall Gardens" was established by the British back in 1884. The garden are bound by evergreen tropical rainforest and divided by a cascading stream and sprawling with 29 hectares of prime and undulating grounds.
The lush greenery gardens are Penangites favorite park and a popular tourist destination. The garden also act as an institute of learning, studying and researching of live specimen both in-situ and ex-situ. Every year, countless groups of undergraduates, students, government agencies and private sectors will come to the gardens to acquire wealth of information and knowledge on aspects of botany and horticulture.
Some of the interesting plant that can be found there includes:
Cannon-Ball Tree: A beautiful fast growing tree which reaches 25m in height. The leaves have a life span of approximately 6 months after which they are shed rapidly so that the crown is usually bare for a day or two.
Candle Tree: An evergreen tree with brown trunk and growing up to 6 to 10m. The flowers are big, solitary, bell shape and white in color, measuring 8cm wide.
Argus Pheasant Tree: A tall deciduous tree reaching 31m in height with rounded crown and strong buttressed trunk when old.
Ebony Tree: An evergreen, stout and shady wide spreading tree with dense dark green glossy leaves. It has a compact, dome shaped conical crown.
Besides being a botanic centre, the garden is a popular recreational spot. Some of the recreational activities include jogging, walking, jungle trekking and aerobics.
The Penang Botanic Gardens has been the permanent host to usher the annual international floral fest normally held in May. Participants from overseas, government agencies, private sectors and local councils are invited to participate in this annual event. The colorful events provides a wonderful experience and is and event not to be missed.
Entrance to the garden is FREE and is open daily from 5am to 8pm.
Sam is the editor and the webmaster for http://www.penang-vacations.com
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