Striking golden blooms at intersection sparks interest

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The blooming Golden Penda tree at the traffic light intersection at Jalan Song heading towards Jalan Tun Jugah here.

The blooming Golden Penda tree at the traffic light intersection at Jalan Song heading towards Jalan Tun Jugah here.

KUCHING: Road users passing by the traffic light intersection at Jalan Song towards Jalan Tun Jugah here may have noticed a flowering tree in full bloom with yellow flowers.

According to Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan, this tree is known as the Golden Penda or its scientific name ‘xanthostemon chrysanthus’ and is a species of tree of the Myrtaceae family.

“The Golden Penda can grow around 12 metres high and usually blooms around the year end up to early March,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

Apart from this intersection, he pointed out that the council also planted the Golden Penda along Jalan Sherip Masahor, Jalan Datuk Marican Salleh as well as at Kuching Palmarium Park along Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan here. Chan also dubbed the tree as MBKS’ ‘pokok’ (tree) of the year and was particularly excited to see the tree blooming around the time where Chinese New Year is approaching.

“The bunches of striking yellow flowers look very much like the kumquats which symbolise prosperity and are often displayed during the Chinese New Year celebration.

“With this new year blossoms, I think it is also a sign of good feng shui for the people of Kuching as we welcome the Year of the Rooster this Chinese New Year,” he said.