Flowers, chastity and womanly charms!

By Dennis Badi

THE earth’s natural wonders have won over mankind for centuries with their secretive elegance, along with their peculiar and attractive floras they have graced the limelight of tropical feminine beauty.

Virgin flower                    Photo by D. Badi

Papua New Guinea is truly a land of mystery where there are flowers for all seasons and occasions. But finding a good enough standard to flowerage purity in feminine terms, whilst being surrounded by all those gorgeous tropical flowers is a throw-down-the-gauntlet. What is more, there’s a small tree species out there, of the Rubiaceae family fame that can fill the vacuity and be that benchmark.

Standard to flowerage purity                             Photo by D. Badi

The Mussaenda philippica is that much-loved flowering shrub, cherished by people the world-over for its glorious snowy sepals and star quality petals or corolla. Corrupted by its Latin lingo, this small tree or flowering shrub as some people call it, is much more than an exotic on our land.

Native to Philippines, the Mussaenda philippica is also named ‘Aurorae’ after Madam Dona Aurora, wife of a former President of the Philippines. The shrub notably its white variety, is observed in honour of Madam Dona’s womanly charm, which embraces her selfless devotion and service to her country.  

Though this tropical shrub may be less studied and esteemed in our country, apart from its scientific status in the academia, perchance this article is long-awaited and judicious. The Mussaenda philippica ‘Aurorae’ is widely known by many names such as the White Mussaenda and Tropical Dogwood. But the writer is fonder of the Virgin Tree label because it’s among the most charming examples of tropical flowering shrubs that can personify chastity and virtue.

The Virgin Tree can grow up to seven metres or even higher in some parts of our beautiful nation. As an exotic plant its growth ought to be controlled or it can become invasive to the local environment. Preferably it must be pruned and managed well.

The flower of the Virgin Tree comprises a five-petalled corolla in an orangey colour, and white puffed-up sepals, which is the most charming part of this shrub, which looks gorgeous in contrast to its green elongated leaves. In the distance it can look superb and heavenly especially beside a grey or green backdrop.

This beautiful shrub is widely cultivated at the campus gardens of the National Research Institute, which is situated on the corner of the University of PNG and Nature Park in Port Moresby. It is a common spectacle for any visitor to the institute, especially when driving or walking up and down the main-street, and foot-path between the Admin and the Researchers’ block.

The alluring clout of the Virgin Tree has never given up on this writer, unusually during its peaking stage when it blooms continuously over couple of days. For those serious-minded naturalists, the plant during this period can provide that sufficient pleasure every morning, after an aura of tumbling mist or maybe a light drizzle at dawn. The interface allows any floral enthusiasts to enter a delectation mode, surrounding their minds with peace, love and contentment of their environment.  

Surrounding their minds with peace                      Photo by D. Badi

Virgin Trees can grace roadsides near cathedrals, beautify our streets, farmed as a peacemaker sign on tribal boundaries, and notably add significance to our bridal ceremonies. If reasonably pruned, and coated with a decent climatic condition such as a full sun with well drain soil, this shrub is sure to become the talisman of many homes. Apart from being a good landscaping shrub, the plant can attract bees, butterflies and birds.

There are tropical perennials, water lilies, frangipanis and orchids that have graced the literature on feminine beauty of the countries surrounding the Equator. Then again there is a special bonding by some floral enthusiasts claiming that the Virgin Tree can heighten friendships by honouring their dearest, and protruding to any occasion. This shrub is able to symbolize sinless, wholesome and pure beauty of the feminine class, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or disability background.

The Virgin Tree or the White Mussaenda has a tainted variety that share the same species lingo. It is also cultivated at the NRI campus and in many parts of the country. The sepals appear pink or rosy and sometimes referred to as the Pink Mussaenda, others as Pink Panther. With its elongated sepal and teeny petals, both the white and pink varieties of Mussaenda philippica can bloom for extended periods throughout the year.

Pink Mussaenda                                   Photo by D.Badi

The cousin variety of Mussaenda philippica is found in our country also. It’s identified as Mussaenda erythrophylla or commonly known as the Red Flag bush. This particular shrub looks quite similar with M. philippica in structure and form, but has a plasma red sepal and much bigger petals. According to botanists M. erythrophylla a native to West Africa, and Mussaenda philippica ‘Aurorae’ are the genetic parents of the horticultural hybrid, the Pink Mussaenda.  

Red Flag bush Photo by D. Badi

The species of all Mussaendas in the world are members of the Rubiaceae or coffee family. They are native to the Old World tropics of West Africa, the Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia and into southern China. There are more than 200 known species of which about 10 are found in cultivation. Of these only three are properly nurtured and one being the Mussaenda philippica, or the Pink Panther and the Virgin Tree which are widely used for landscaping.

The Virgin Tree tag could be tangled up with other brands such as the trade name of Virgin Airlines. It’s an overseas airline company with a prominent red brand, illustrating today’s worldview about beauty is all about eye-catching and money, which is a little more tainted, either with specs of red or other shades of colours.  

It’s nothing relatively as white, snowy or pure form like the gorgeous white sepals of the Virgin Tree. Or perhaps the world is now symbolizing chastity and virtue with degraded standards, and that mankind is moving far from the principles of humanity. 

An Analogy of Monopoly to Marriage

By Dennis Badi

RICE or paddy grain as it is known by Asians was introduced in Papua New Guinea long before the country got Independence.

Places like Kairuku in Central Province or Sumkar in Madang have farmed rice since the 1950s and 70s. Now with the monopolistic situation brewing in the not too distant future, what is in store for the landowners will be a major concern.

A rice project, proposed to be located in Central in 2012 was said to invest billions for a commercial rice farming venture in the Kairuku district, covering some 100,000 hectares. It may appeal to many people like politicians. The company, most probably an expatriate owned would seek among others, imposition of 60-80% import tariffs or zero income taxes for example for employees earning up to K360, 000 per annum, and several exclusive rights from the government including monopoly over production, importation and perhaps distribution of rice.

Courts and civil sector have wrestled with monopoly for ages, every so often defining it as: “undoing the benefits of competition” or “anti-competitive behaviour.” For any monopolistic situation it would be more deplorable that proponents think in line with de facto marriages including failed promises that never eventuated where the project beneficiaries, mostly the landowners, never benefiting or their living conditions often deteriorate a few years after the project.  

Reasonably, it would be useful also for the government to fully gauze landowners concerns in light of growing outside interests in PNG’s resource sector if there were monopolistic arrangements. Theoretically, many people would condemn or outlaw monopoly however we try looking at it as an anti-competitive behaviour, without confining ourselves to what’s traditionally seen as monopoly.

Monopoly is all but undesirable as it closes the market to competition that we know, or at least it is supposed to. And for a monopoly on rice industry which is looming in Kairuku area, I very much marvel at its analogy to my marriage contract. What's more, church sanctioned marriage which is witnessed by relatives is actually a monopoly document, a cartel of rights, as I recalled the yesteryears when I wed my wife-to-be Cesley.

Our marriage vows, witnessed by late Auxiliary Bishop Cherubim, families and friends at Saint Peter’s Chanel, certainly represents a legally sanctioned agreement between two parties. Typically an agreement as such exclude competitors and further restrain trade and has sets of benefits and also costs.

As I have exclusive rights to her affections and property rights to a stream of highly valued domestic services, I place in her higher value, making me willing to share with her a greater percentage of my affluence: take-home pay, superannuation, a village house and an unremitting support from my parents. From this collusive arrangement, my wife also receives comparable sets of benefits.

This monopolistic situation as in many marriages has its outlay and perhaps on top of that some clumsiness as many would describe it. Neither one of us is as attentive as before we made our marriage vows or a contractual agreement. For my part, and months before I wrote this piece, I usually hang out a lot with friends, pick her after work up in the nick of time, and not as nearly considerate or chivalrous as before our marriage nearly six years late. Reason being I was competing against other men, common things guys fall prey to, and therefore could ill afford to act as a monopolist.

Read the Old Testament's Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 5 in the revised version of Good News Bible, where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. The first commandment, and presumably the most important is, “Worship no God but me.” The second is, “Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, for I am the Lord your God . . .” Then there's, “Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the Lord your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name. . . .”

If a corporation made a similar decree regarding its services, it would find itself in the sights of the Courts for gross violations of anti-trust provisions in certain places like in Australia. Further, the Ten Commandments in the bible dictate exclusive dealing and will be against my actions since the commandments would neither allow substitutes nor competition with God.

To condemn monopolistic practices as an act of malevolence, at least for consistency, would mean to condemn marriage and the basic tenet of Christianity. For some people, they neither would condemn marriage, the monopolistic tenets of Christianity, nor do some of them condemn a business monopoly as the proposed rice monopoly.

Recently at a Rice Monopoly seminar held at the National Research Institute (NRI) in February, there were expressions of anxiety raised by the landowners. The five chairmen representing the Mekeo, North Mekeo, Roro, Waima and Gabadi, though supported the project, were vocal on benefit sharing, how their customary land will be obtained and the possibility of transferring company ownership after 20 or so years. 

“We applaud such a project, however many of us have not seen the deed of agreement. As a substantive project we want the government to incorporate our concerns.” says Henry Maino, chairman of the North Mekeo hinterlands and my ex-economics teacher and also who concluded that: “We can plant rice, as we have been doing so for many years, especially in 2-3 hectare plots. What we need is only good technical advice and government support”.  

Without any doubt, the landowners are key actors in any project and with their knowledge in rice farming all they want is a fair deal from the government. If their cases were genuine enough then it would be more helpful for proponents of the rice monopoly and the Kairuku leaders decide in a round-table either at Bereina or Port Moresby.

Most probably the moral argument that can be used to condemn and outlaw monopoly is when a project proposal is done through secrecy without involvement of key actors or created through fraud, threats, intimidation or coercion. Some of the issues raised by the landowner chairmen let alone the opponents of monopoly see the goings-on of the proposed rice monopoly as a bad deal unless their concerns are addressed.

This is a free country and foreign corporations are free to enter our market, is the line of reasoning by the NRI and the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC). Undoubtedly, any project must be open for scrutiny and debate.

The government’s think tank views the monopoly situation as detrimental to the overall welfare of the people, since the costs of the monopoly far outweigh its benefits while the Consumer Watchdog argues that the proposal contravenes the ICCC Act (2002) that propagates competition and fair trading.

Above all the free market, including free international trade, is the most effective protection against monopolistic abuses such as our membership to the World Trade Organisation. In fact an open market, monopolistic companies can retain their monopoly power only if they do not fully exploit it or other companies will enter.

They are far too many bad deals since Independence. Year 2012 will be the seventh time our country is going to the polls and PNG voters are encouraged to vote wisely. Vote in leaders who are capable to help us, help ourselves. The reality is if leaders don’t come down to us to discuss issues, we will come up to them.

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Port Moresby’s Naturalised and Exotic Wonder

By Dennis Badi

The most noticeable may shy away from the glare of publicity, and if it was a tree, it would be a Neem tree.

Neem trees are synonymous with Port Moresby, apart from the conspicuous grasslands and equlyptus flora that often straddle the city’s monotonous landscape.  Neems are fast growing, drought-resistant, and found in the obvious and inundated habitations of the city’s forte.

Neem trees at the NRI campus                                                   Photo by D. Badi

The campus of the National Research Institute also abounds with this tropical tree, an exotic wonder, as few are acquainted with its use. However their acceptable maintenance including those of other flora, exemplifies a diaphanous campus life under Dr. Thomas Webster and his team of industrious grounds staff.

Dino and Jacob, NRI green fingers, seen here hard at work                                 Photo by D. Badi

In the former times the campus flora, a fusion of exotic and native wonders, used to be enclosed and hidden away behind hard-to-see-thru fences. Not anymore. The public now sees beyond this compound, and perhaps it is inevitable that a naturalised flora like Neem protrude to the occasion.

Neems are objects of pleasure, with a reddish crown, white flowery and smooth-olive-like drupes are as good as its shade-giving and beauty role. Still little is known about its uses and products hence plant taxonomy is essential learning. Since PNG has a fountain of plant-life, there’s more to our unique floral pleasures than what meets the eye.

A Neem is botanically known as Azadirachta indica in the mahogany family Meliaceae. They are described by many names - miracle tree, Nimtree, Nymph tree, Indian Lilac or mosquito tree in respect of its use and where it’s originated. Neem is the tree’s common name, derived from India where the tree is a native and an official tree in one if its provinces.

Port Moresby is now the adopted home for Neems. These now naturalised residents can be seen shade-lining streets, around churches, near schools or in people’s backyards. During dry seasons, Neems shed most or nearly all of their leaves. Research claimed that the fallen leaves from a Neem tree can improve soil fertility and enhance water holding capacity. In a book “Neem, Treatise” edited by K.K. Singh, explains the significant role Neem plays on agro forestry and land rehabilitation.

Likewise the United Nations has declared Neem as “Tree of the 21st Century” as the world’s most research tree and its significant role in improving lives especially in developing countries. Earliest documentation of Neem revealed that various parts of the tree, which includes the fruit, leaves, seed-oil, roots and bark, have benefitted humanity for more than 4500 years. More so, a book by Bethany Albert “Village volunteers” maintained that an extract, or chemical compound, called salannin from the neem leaves, is a safer and more effective insect repellent, hence the name “mosquito” tree.

Neem seed                                              Photo by D. Badi

In India, the tree traditionally serves as a “village pharmacy” for treatment of skin problems, leprosy, making soap and other purposes like timber. It is also an effective insecticide where Neem-seed-derived oil is sprayed on plants to prevent damage from insects.

Neems are currently trialed at Laloki by the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI). This government research facility is training rural farmers to use Neem-seed-derived oil as an environmentally friendly plant-pesticide. The extraction is a discrete process as observed during an experiment at Bagoiudu in Central.

Neem tree cultivated at NRI campus                                             Photo by D. Badi

Dry Neem seeds (100 grams) are collected, crushed and mixed with one match-box size grated soap flakes. This mixture is eventually poured into one litre of water, then stired and left for overnight with a plastic lid covering. Lastly the mixture is strained and sprayed immediately on people’s garden.

Neem does not directly kill insects on the crop. It acts as an anti-feedant and repellent, protecting the crop from damage by caterpillars, leafhoppers, beetles and other insect pests on leafy vegetables. The insects starve and die within a few days. Neem also suppresses the hatching of pest insects from their eggs.

Unique is this tree. But for many people who have set eyes or have passed by every Neem tree, from Boroko Food-World drive or along a favourite street, seldom make out their presence. Perhaps they are introduced that brings out a cautionary reminder about all exotic floras.

Exotic plants (and also animals) are brought into the country by humans or natural means, either by accident or on purpose. They can spread if not contained at an early stage, causing population demise of native flora and the eco-system. At times these plants are described as invasive aliens or biological pollutants.

The Neems are perhaps not a direct threat yet to Port Moresby’s plant-life. But in Australia and parts of Middle East and Africa, the Neem is considered a dreadful weed. Apart from being fast growing, Neem thrives well on harsh conditions, hence giving the tree an edge over the local flora.

A good example is Piper aduncum, also known as Piper tree or daka diwai. The tree was introduced in the coastal areas, and not contained, has now spread up to the cooler highlands not short of warming temperatures and a construction boom.  

It is advisable to contact NARI or PNG Forest Research Institute for more information about the nature of Neem, its properties and also practical advice about using parts of the tree. Investing in trees is a joyous experience and an improved city. Then again it’s good to be wary about exotic plants, and for Neem it is performing well against contenders in Port Moresby’s shade and beauty spectacle.   

He that planted a tree is a servant of God, he provided a kindness for many generations, and faces that he had not seen shall bless him. (Henry Van Dyke)