Last weekend, the zoo had a photography day. They opened the gates early for around 150 of us with our cameras and umbrellas. We had the zoo to ourselves until the regular admission time.
You can see the first animal photos we took in the Camera Critters post below. But it wasn't only animals we were looking at. This shrub stopped us dead in our tracks. It was quite impressive. In other words, the WOW factor was off the scale!
The shrub with its stunning blooms was over five feet in height. I just had to know what kind of plant it is and the zoo folks were happy to find out for me.
Megaskepasma erythrochlamys ‘Brazilian Red Cloak’, ‘Brazilian Plume’, ‘Red Justicia’ ‘Brazilian Cloak’ is a herbaceous shrub that is very showy and fast growing.
A blazing mixture of flaming red and vivid pink flowers, is what Brazilian Red Cloak in full bloom looks like. In spite of its name, this splendid plant comes from Venezuela where it is found naturally in tropical woodland. An evergreen shrub with boldly veined, shiny green leaves, it bears from early autumn into winter spikes of very showy, 12 inch, crimson flower spikes. (Actually white or pink flowers in the cloak of the very conspicuous crimson bracts.) The showy ‘flower’ consists of red bracts surrounding the white true flower. The growth habit of the Brazilian red cloak is considered by horticulturalists to be a shrub. It does not grow compactly as many shrub's do but instead is tall and lanky (an average of approximately 10 feet) while yet full. Under ideal growing conditions the plant can hit fifteen feet (4.5 meters) in height.
Where flowers bloom, so does hope - Lady Bird Johnson
It certainly does look very vibrant and showy.
ReplyDeleteI like this zoo of yours.
Lovely photos!
Carletta’s Captures.
I've never seen that shrub but it sure is beautiful. Love the color.
ReplyDeleteI love how a zoo will combine not just the animals -- the exotic and the ones that are indigenous to the country, but that they include the flora and fauna..to recapture and recreate the surroundings for the animals. It gives the chance for us to appreciate nature in all it's glory.
ReplyDeleteAnd that quote of Lady Bird Johnson's is one of my favourites!
Oh wow, very pretty and in one of my favourite colours! Five feet; I think that's roughly my height, 161 cm - those blossoms look huge.
ReplyDeleteWhat a plant! And how nice of the zoo to open up for photographers. I always admired Lady Bird Johnson for her work on beautifying America.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are sweet, thanks for stop by my blog.
ReplyDeleteI've gift for you.
You Got A Posty
All Little Things I Like
That is an amazing tall shrub! The flowers are so vivid and striking amidst the lovely green leaves. I enjoyed reading your description of this beautiful plant.
ReplyDeleteOh I wish to have that plant. But I fear it would not grow here. Great photo's. By the way I love your header, is it new or am I just slow....?! Also I also call Teddy my bichon Theodorable! Your kitties are precious. Sharon
ReplyDeleteSnap: That is a very neat flower in red.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful blossom and a great quote from Lady Bird Johnson. I remember when she started her big campaign to beautiful the highways with flowers along the side of the road and the big clean up campaign to beautify America. I guess I'm showing my age by remembering when she was the frist lady. However, I was a child at the time.
ReplyDeleteLovley blooms!
ReplyDeleteLove the color of this one.
I love the color of this flower too. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great zoo you have there! And so accommodating to the public seeking beauty...
ReplyDeleteKate
Sure has a great flower color.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen that flower before, I live the color so gorgeous, thanks for visiting my sweetnorms blog.
ReplyDeletelovely blooms! First time seeing this kind of flowers.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flower! I love the quote at the end.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Adrienne
Hi Snap, That bush is gorgeous. I have seen them before in Texas --but had no idea what they were. So pretty!!!! Looks like you all had a great time at the Zoo. That's neat that they offered a photography day.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote by Lady Bird...
Hugs,
Betsy
Very nice. The red pops right out of the green leaves. Showy!! MB
ReplyDeleteThat looks pretty tropical (frost tender) and so exciting! Wish we had a zoo like that in Seattle. We can do umbrellas really well, but they do make holding the camera challenging. Thank goodness this week has mostly been fabulous weather.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! A lovely flower and one that I'm not familiar with so thank you very much for sharing it. Love learning about new flowers :)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen that gorgeous flower much less heard of it and to think it blooms into winter! Stunning!
ReplyDeletewow how i love the color of that flower, my ever favorite color. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletemy entry: http://www.purodula.com/
I like the idea of being let into the zoo early so you could take photos without arms and legs getting in the way!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful day at the Zoo! I love the zoo, so I think you are lucky to live near one. I'm over an hour away from the zoo.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we are taking the same classes! I hope you enjoy bookbinding and The Joy Diet. Are you taking Part Two of the Super Nova Class, too?
Have fun!