Hiptage benghalensis
The Bengal hiptage is a woody vine plant named for its tender branches, which resemble the slightly curled tail of a monkey. It is widely distributed throughout Taiwan at altitudes below 1,500 meters, preferring sunny, dry, and well-ventilated open areas, and often climbing trees or rocks.
The unique structure of the fruit of the Bengal hiptage is most striking. Each fruit has three distinct hard wings, which vary greatly in shape and size, with the central one typically being the largest. These three wings serve as a clever mechanism for seed dispersal of the Bengal hiptage. When the fruits mature, dry out, and fall, the wings act like small gliders, propelling the fruits through the air, or they spin like propellers as they fall. This effectively uses wind and air currents to disperse the fruits, enabling the seeds to spread to more distant locations and expand the population's distribution range.
In addition to its unique fruits, the flowers of the Bengal hiptage are also worth admiring. The white petals have delicate lace-like edges, complemented by slender stamens, which deeply captivate the gaze of onlookers.
In addition to Taiwan, the Bengal hiptage is naturally distributed from India to Malaysia and southern China. The plant is cultivated alongside the waterway in the Monsoon Rain Forest Area of the Botanical Garden, with its twisted and intertwined main stem evoking the feeling of being in a tropical jungle. The vines climbing up other plants almost completely cover the canopy layer of the Monsoon Rain Forest Area, providing shade for the waterfalls and trails within the area. This allows visitors to enjoy a cool and comfortable natural observation experience even on sunny days.