Some Hands On

Biologists are known to get their hands dirty and all. And being an "arm chair" biologist, brings its fair share of mocking. I feel that a lot of the data miners, the Plant Systematics Lab denizens, are not well looked upon by the people in the other labs.

Just moments ago, I brought out my Flora Malesiana and my Fig book and my camera and went to have a look at Ficus glossularoides on the ridge (I forgot we have it in our native plant garden). I read the description, I looked at the plant to understand, and took some photos. (I am so blessed. A cute little black bird with a red cap and a red patch on its back was chirping happily away and picking on some red fruits near me. I took a photo of it, shall put it up here once I can.) 

Ficus grossularioides (White - leafed fig)

"This shrub is very common along secondary forest edges, in wooded undeveloped land and along disturbed hedges. It may grow to a small tree, up to 9m... distinguished by its characteristic white leaf undersides. This fig is also called Ficus alba in older references..."

"Figs usually below the leaves on previous season's growth, in pairs, sessile or with a peduncle up to 0.2cm long."

"Leaves spirally arranged; lamina elliptic to oblong to ovate or (when juvenile) (sub)palmately 3-5(-7)-lobed to -fid, 3-15 by 1.5-7.5 cm (when juvenile up to 35 by 30 cm)"

Dicaeum cruentatum (Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker)

"A tiny bird of the tree tops constantly on the move feeding on flower nectar, buds and small insects and fairly common where these occur but due to its very small size may be easily missed..."

In a way, I really like my project. I actually much prefer this kind of "field work". (Actually there's no field work involved, but I hope to on my own initiative, do my own. But I look forward to any herbarium kinda visit.) I like to identify, I like to appreciate the structure and take some photos. I actually don't quite like doing experiments, even the outdoor kind, like we did in Tioman. I don't like to repeat experiments, being a perfectionists, I cannot stand it that there are factors we cannot control (but that's life isn't it. We face that in life all the time), I prefer collecting and making lists. 

I only realized it now, but this project actually quite suits me. Plus the fact that it allows me the flexibility that I need, with my external commitments.

By the end of this project, I'm supposed to become a Ficus expert (wouldn't that be cool? Work hard if you want that, dear girl!). I will know the geography of the pan tropical region (excellent for Missions). 

I really need to work hard if I want that effect. So, this  really must be my priority. I don't know where this will lead me, but if it were to lead me anywhere at all, I must do a good job. 

Currently the list is getting longer. I've yet to get rid of the synonyms or find a way to do that. But hope to have a chat with Prof. soon and get that going.