| Insects all over the rhododendron.. |
| The rare white rhododendron...shot after a rain.. |
The flowers are of the Rhododendron family, or scientifically classified as melastoma malabathricum. The purple Specie is known as the "Straits Rhododendron". Locally known here as the "Senduduk" Plant. The white specie is lesser known but they are cultivated for landscaping nowadays. The flowering is all year round and the fruits are edible, with a sweet berry like taste.
As a photographer, I had always been fond of this plant. Whenever I am roaming the Jungle, this is the first plant that I will always look for. They are easy to find. Just look at some of the bald patches in the forest, where the sunlight will be in abundant through the canopy of trees high above. The plants are everywhere actually; in the jungle, on a mountaintop, at the city's fringes and anywhere with infertile soil that prohibits other plants.
For me, the rhododendron provides the opportunity to photograph wildlife without having to spend time searching for them. In the jungle, especially in the morning, all kind of insects can be seen feeding on the flowers and the ripened fruits. I've seen beetles, butterflies, stick insects and others. It is easy to photograph them during this activity as they are not skittish due to the presence of food. Since the insects are there, there will be predators nearby, waiting to feed on the insects such as birds, snakes, spiders and others. Just distance yourself from the plant and let the story unfold itself.
Another reason is the rhododendron's medicinal value. I've heard and read that people are using this plant for cuts and bruises. Being in the jungle means you are prone to accidents and I had personally used the plant as a first aid. Just crush the flowers with a few drops of water into a paste. Apply them to the cut...it will stop the Blood, and also it will rid of the itch. This is from an experience of the past with Leeches while exploring the forest of Mount Jerai for the first time.
Years back, I never knew much about leeches in the jungle. I've been bitten several times but sparse. The lesson that I've learnt is to never enter the forest during the wet season unprepared. The leeches are in abundant during this period and they are relentless. There are 3 varieties of leeches that I had encountered; the plain brown, the striped brown and the Green Specie. They tend to be everywhere on the ground. You don't see them at a glance due to their earthly coloring. Sometimes they are on the green leaves too. When you sit still and observe, you can see them approaching like an an army of ants...all marching towards your direction. Your only choice is to walk really fast, but there is no guarantee.
Image via WikipediaYou will never realize that you've been bitten by the brown or the striped species. Suddenly there's blood all over your shirt or socks. The green specie is different. Being smaller, they will crawl through your socks and travel to your sole. The bite is similar to a red ant...you will have stop, remove your shoes and get rid of them. And of all places to itch and bleed...
Upon reaching a waterfall after two hours of tracking, we took a rest and try to rid ourselves of the leeches. I had almost thirty of them on me. Some dropped easily after fully engorged with my blood, while the rest still sticking. Tiny may them be, it is hard to remove them. Their favorite place is above the socks and above the belt line. The only fast way to remove them is to use tobacco from a cigarette. Add some water to wet the leaves and paste it to them. They'll drop off easily.
I'm a nature lover. But due to scientific curiosity and some anger, I' ve tried grinding them with rocks. They just won't die. It's like watching that evil liquid terminator guy. They will reshape themselves and move away. Only the green specie will be crushed away out of existence.
To stop the blood and itch, we used the flower by crushing them into pulp and apply them to the wound. And it worked...
