I was keen to have a look at Lae on my first excursion outside Port Moresby, so I managed to work in a stroll around the National Botanic Garden which is located right in the city. I have always liked forests and lush vegetation, so the greenery of this large area, combined with the sounds of tropical birds and the humid airs made me really feel like I seeing something special. In the end, the trees that most fascinated me were the Pandanus 'Palms' as shown here. They are not actually palm trees, and are sometimes called 'screwpines' because of the way their leaves grow. Although I had previously seen above-ground roots on Mangrove trees, I was quite intrigued by the roots propping up these Pandunus trees - a feature it developed to help the trunk deal with the weight of leaves and fruits that grow at the top of the trunk!
The Botanic Garden has seen its ups and downs over the years, but starting in 1995 it has seen a resurgence as funds were allocated by the government for more landscaping, fencing, public facilities and enhancement of the plant displays.
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Directions: A large plot of land (56 hectares or 138 acres) in the centre of Lae
Lae
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on Dec 12, 2006
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