Sleeping hibiscus (Malvaviscus penduliflorus)

Kembang payung or sleeping hibiscus (Malvaviscus penduliflorus) is a plant species in Malvaceae, shrubs up to 4 m high, hard woody stems with brown bark and green young branches, hairy or hairless branchlets, stipules shaped like threads for 4 mm and drooping down.

M. penduliflorus has a leaf stalk for a length of 1-2 cm and hair, leaves are ovoid to pointy, 6-12 cm long and 2.5-6 cm wide, a wedge-shaped base wide to almost rounded and a pointed tip, serrated edge, colored upper surface dark green and shiny, the lower surface is brighter and both surfaces are hairless.

Solitary flowers, hanging from axils on the stem 1.5 cm long, red, tubular and 5 cm long. Has 8 fake sepals, spoon-shaped, 1-1.5 cm and ciliate margins. The sepal cup is slightly longer than the epicalyx and has long hair, a 7 cm long column of stamens protruding from the flower.

Sleeping hibiscus are always green, very rare to bear fruit, grow to an altitude of 1000 m, lots of sunlight in open forests, road sides and untreated areas. Many are cultivated for ornamental plants in the yard of the house and open places.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Malvoideae
Tribe: Hibisceae
Genus: Malvaviscus
Species: Malvaviscus penduliflorus

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

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Purhepecha oak (Quercus purhepecha), new species of shrub oak endemic to the state of Michoacán, Mexico

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Cempaki (Termitomyces microcarpus)

Cempaki ( Termitomyces microcarpus ) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. It grows wild in tropical Asian forests near termite nests. It is rarely reported in urban areas. It is edible and known for its deliciousness, high nutritional value, and difficulty in cultivating. In Indonesia, it is used as an alternative food ingredient. T. microcarpus is the smallest of the Termitomyces species, umbrella-shaped, plain white, measuring 5 cm tall and 2.5 cm wide. It grows in dense clusters on surfaces and forms a mutualistic relationship, requiring the metabolic activity of termites as a substrate for growth. This species is known for its deliciousness, rich in nutrients, and has potential bioactive properties, such as helping lower cholesterol and acting as a tonic. Currently, it is difficult to cultivate on a large scale, and people rely solely on wild harvests. This mushroom is highly favored for its savory, delicious flavor and soft, chewy texture. It is often stir-fried ...

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