When I visited the Arboretum or the Huntington Library, I was usually drawn to the flowers first, then I would try to find the label to learn the name of the plant. But this time, when I visited the Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library, I saw the name of the plant, 'Mickey Mouse Plant,' first. I thought to myself, 'What an interesting name.' Then, I looked at the flower closely and couldn’t help but smile and nod my head. What an appropriate name. Its ripe black fruit which upside down resembles the ears of Mickey Mouse and bright-red sepals which resemble its trousers. The plant is native to the forest areas of South Africa. During the spring, the shrub’s fragrant yellow blossoms that appear are usually around 2 cm (0.79 in) in diameter. Though, the petals tend to drop soon after they bloom. Five or six fruits grow from the plant, which are attached to the sepals. While the fruit is developing, the sepals enlarge and turn bright red, in most cases turning the whole plant red.
當我去植物園或亨廷頓圖書館時 ， 我通常先被花朵吸引，然後嘗試找到標籤以了解植物的名稱。 但這一次我在參觀亨廷頓圖書館的中國花園時，先看到了這種植物的名字“米老鼠樹”。 我心想這是一個多麼有趣的名字。 然後我仔細看了看花。 我忍不住笑著點頭，拍案叫絕，多麼恰當的名字啊。它成熟的黑色果實倒過來像米老鼠的耳朵，亮紅色的萼片像他的褲子。原產於南非的森林地區。在春天，灌木出現的芬芳的黃色花朵通常直徑約為 2公分（0.79 英寸）。花瓣在開花後很快就會掉落。植物上長出五、六個果實，這些果實附著在萼片上。 在果實發育過程中，萼片擴大並變成鮮紅色，在大多數情況下將整株植物變成紅色。
Notes 筆記
- Ochna serrulata is commonly known as the small-leaved plane, carnival ochna, bird’s eye bush, Mickey mouse plant or Mickey Mouse bush. Its ripe black fruit which upside down resembles the ears of Mickey Mouse and bright-red sepals which resemble its trousers.
- Genus name comes from the Greek ochne meaning wild pear in reference to the fruit shape. Specific epithet from Latin serratus meaning saw-toothed in reference to the leaf margins.
- During the spring, the shrub’s fragrant yellow blossoms that appear are usually around 2 cm (0.79 in) in diameter. Though, the petals tend to drop soon after they bloom. Five or six fruits grow from the plant, which are attached to the sepals. While the fruit is developing, the sepals enlarge and turn bright red, in most cases turning the whole plant red.
- The fruits on the plant start ripening in the early summer, while the red sepals last until around late summer. The flowers usually attract bees and butterflies, while the birds tend to eat the fruits from the plant.
- The plant is native to the forest areas of South Africa. This tough, adaptable shrub grows in sunny, open positions as well as in the shade of deep forest.
- Ochna serrulata is also one of several cultivated plants in Hawaii for their colorful flowers and unusual fruits.
- Ochna serrulata is a weed in parts of eastern Australia with a potential to spread from its current range. In New Zealand it is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord prohibiting its sale, commercial propagation and distribution.
- 鼠眼木通常被稱為小桂葉黃梅、嘉年華金蓮、鳥眼灌木、鼠眼木或米老鼠樹(桂葉黃梅)。它成熟的黑色果實倒過來像米老鼠的耳朵，亮紅色的萼片像他的褲子。
- 屬名來自希臘語 ochne，意為與果實形狀有關的野梨。來自拉丁語 serratus 的特定加詞，意思是與葉緣有關的鋸齒狀。
- 在春天，灌木出現的芬芳的黃色花朵通常直徑約為 2公分（0.79 英寸）。花瓣在開花後很快就會掉落。植物上長出五、六個果實，這些果實附著在萼片上。 在果實發育過程中，萼片擴大並變成鮮紅色，在大多數情況下將整株植物變成紅色。
- 果實在初夏開始成熟，而紅色萼片持續到夏末左右。花朵通常吸引蜜蜂和蝴蝶，而鳥類則傾向於吃植物的果實。
- 原產於南非的森林地區。這種堅韌、適應性強的灌木生長在陽光充足、開闊的地方以及深林的陰涼處。
- 鼠眼木也是夏威夷的幾種栽培植物之一，因為它們色彩鮮艷的的花朵，果實也不同尋常。
- 鼠眼木是澳大利亞東部部分地區的一種雜草，有可能從目前的範圍內擴散開來。在紐西蘭，它被列入國家害蟲植物協議，禁止銷售、商業傳播和分銷。
References 參考資料
- Wikipedia: Ochna serrulata
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Ochna serrulata
- 維基百科: 鼠眼木
Plants Posts 植物的帖子