May

While you move on from Discovery Centre to Succession Walk, you can see a lovely plant with catchy white flowers, Water Dragon, extending from the water margin to deeper water. Its leaves are alternate, oblong, up to 7 cm long, apex rounded or obtuse, margin entire. Its flowers consist of 5 creamy white petals, yellow at the base, obvate, apex rounded. Water dragon is a water lover that usually found in freshwater habitats. Its stem and leaves can float on the surface of water, enabling it to grow in deep or shallow water.

The roots of Ludwigia adscences, the most peculiar structures, are also worth mentioning. This plant has two types of roots, one that anchor the plant to the soil and the other that look like tiny bananas (and that's why it's also called "water banana" elsewhere). The latter contains air sac to keep the plant afloat, and assist respiration.

Yet in early May, most of the water dragons just appear, are fairly difficult to find along the edges of ponds or water channels. But you will not be disappointed if you make a closer look on the water margins of the Stream Walk and return route. Sometimes these shy beauties may hide themselves by creeping into the Cyperus malaccensis or other aquatic plants. However, prolific growth is often expected in late spring and summer.

Right, you may also find cousin of the water dragon, the Taiwanese species Ludwigia taiwanensis, which is blooming with yellow flowers. These two species look alike, only to be differentiated by the color of their flowers. Both of these lovely white and yellow beauties, together with their green foliage, will further spread over waters throughout the year, like floating carpets along the banks of the water channels and ponds.