COW’S EYE

Firmiana malayana (Malvaceae)
Location: Malaysia

This species is recorded from Sumatra, Java, Peninsular Malaysia
and Borneo. ‘Cow’s eyes’ is the translation of its Malay name,
matu lembu. When in flower, and later in fruit, the tree loses
its leaves. This results in a spectacular display of bright orange
flowers on bare branches. The flowers are superseded by the
fruits, each consisting of a papery wing bearing one or two
green seeds on its edges. The wing changes from green to
crimson as it matures, before drying to a silvery tan color. It is
then carried on the wind to disperse the seeds at a distance
from the parent plant. This specimen was collected at the Forest
Research Institute Malaysia, with which RBGE has enjoyed a
long-standing collaboration.