[junglemike]

Almost near the end of July, I went to Seri Aman - Betong area to explore. In this trip, I was supposed to look for plants growing on the ground , not in the water as the water level of most of the rivers were high due to the changing climate: more rainfall in the dry season than ever. However, I was almost got "heart attack" when I found the most beautiful Cryptocoryne auriculata that I ever seen! It is a variety of Crypt auriculata growing on the tree roots at the sandbank.

The hidden paradise in Borneo:

The most excited discovery: A mottled leaf Crypt auriculata!!!

It is growing on the tree roots near the water edge:

First location: an oil palm plantation at Seri Aman of Sarawak. Found a big colony of Crypt longicauda, Barclaya motleyi & others semi aquatic plants.

......TO BE CONTINUED.

 

[AaronT]

Thanks for sharing your pictures. I always look forward to your photographs.

 

[FarCanal]

Wow! That mottled leaf is stunning! That is a great find ... top work

 

[junglemike]

Thanks. I will post more pictures tomorrow...

 

[MiamiAG]

Hi Mike,

Congrats on your find. Where you able to bring a specimen home?

My understanding is the C. auriculata is not cultivated much because of it's difficulty. It's always amazing to me how mother nature seems to have no problems growing it though.

Did you take any water samples? Soil samples, perhaps?

 

[mats808]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the great pictures.

When you say that they are growing on the tree roots does that mean that they are rooted in and around the roots or are they actually growing on the roots like how a java fern might grow?

aaron

 

[junglemike]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the great pictures.

When you say that they are growing on the tree roots does that mean that they are rooted in and around the roots or are they actually growing on the roots like how a java fern might grow?

aaron

They are rooted in ....

 

[junglemike]

Hi Mike,

Congrats on your find. Where you able to bring a specimen home?

My understanding is the C. auriculata is not cultivated much because of it's difficulty. It's always amazing to me how mother nature seems to have no problems growing it though.

Did you take any water samples? Soil samples, perhaps?

No water sample. The substrate is river sand mixed with clay.

 

[junglemike]

The spathe (flower) of Crypt longicauda in the blackwater stream of oil palm plantation:

Close-up:

Next location is a clearwater stream in a swamp. Also found Crypt longicauda. It is one of the most common species in Borneo:

Around 3pm, it sarted to rain until the next day morning. So, no exploration except go to check in into a hotel at Seri Aman & rest.

Next day, I woke up early & went to the jungle in between Seri Aman & Betong:

There are a lot of beautiful rivers here:

Wood shrimp:

 

[junglemike]

Unidentified species of Goby:

Hill stream catfish; Glypothorax major :

When I was walking along the river, I saw some plants growing under the Pandan plants....when I look closer, I almost wanted to "faint"!!! Oh my goodness.....first time in my life saw such a beautiful species of Crypt auriculata. The leaf pattern looks a bit like my favourite slipper orchid:

 

[junglemike]

Most of the Crypt grow near the riverbank, under the big tree:

This one is going to flower soon:

Borneo island has a lot of beautiful rivers:

 

[junglemike]

Some plants growing near the river:

A terrestrial orchid, Acanthephippium sp.

Flower of Acanthephippium sp.

Begonia sp.

 

[junglemike]

One of the Crypt auriculata which I brought home is flowering yesterday:

THE END.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

As always, very nice pictures Junglemike. I especially like seeing the plants in their natural habitat, it gives me an idea of the lighting and substrate I need to use. It looks like these were growing in a very sandy area.....is that right?

 

[jazzlvr123]

beautiful pics. thanks for sharing

 

[junglemike]

As always, very nice pictures Junglemike. I especially like seeing the plants in their natural habitat, it gives me an idea of the lighting and substrate I need to use. It looks like these were growing in a very sandy area.....is that right?

Yes, you are right. River sand + clay.

 

[zer0zax]

Awesome pictures Mike! Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[aquanut]

awesome pictures and a great story!

 

[Yoong]

Mike
Beautiful auriculata and nice pictures. You grow you your crypts in sand and clay too?

Yoong?

 

[Tex Gal]

Amazing! How fortunate you are to be able to go to these places!