PM unveils orchid 'Dendrobium Sheikh Hasina' in Singapore


FE Team | Published: March 13, 2018 15:09:09 | Updated: March 14, 2018 14:29:29


Focus Bangla Photo

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has unveiled an orchid named after her in the National Orchid Garden of Singapore Botanic Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage.

The Singapore government has named the orchid as 'Dendrobium Sheikh Hasina' to make memorable her first visit to the country.

Dr Nigel Taylor C Hort, Group Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens, handed over the orchid to the prime minister at a function.

Prime Minister's nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby along with his wife and two children were present, reports UNB.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid and members of her entourage were also present.

David Lim, manager of the orchid garden, produced the hybrid orchid crossing two varieties of seed. The orchid usually takes four and half years from its plantation to flowering.

The orchid is a strong and free flowering antelope Dendrobuim hybrid, which produces upright inflorescences up to 25-cm long each bearing about 15 well-arranged flowers. Each flower measures about 5cm in width.

The gracefully twisted petals are mahogany while the sepals are light brown and lined with a fine white margin. They are beautifully complemented with a prominent dark maroon lip with purple ridges.

On Sunday last, the Prime Minister arrived in Singapore at the invitation of her Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsein Loong.

David Lim said the Orchid garden has so far produced 250 hybrid orchids since 1957 and many of them were named after the heads of states and government and kings of different countries making their visit to Singapore memorable ones.

Talking to reporters, the Prime Minister said it is great honour for Bangladesh. "I dedicate this honour to the people of Bangladesh. I'm really delighted coming here."

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