Native to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the Chinese Croton is a common decorative plant. It has shiny and papery foliage of which the upper surface is dark green or variegated. Interestingly, the underside of its leaves is deep maroon in colour. Excoecaria is from the Latin word excaeco, which means "to blind" - making reference to the sap of the plant that could possibly cause temporary blindness.
Red Ginger Alpinia purpurata
Red Ginger is a plant that epitomizes the tropics with its lance-shaped glossy bright green leaves all year round. The red ginger also produces showy inflorescence spikes with delicate white flowers growing from the axils of the stunning, saffron bracts. During the Chinese New Year Celebration, as performances are staged under the bridge at Central Plaza, the blossoming red ginger flowers remind one of red firecrackers and add a touch of vibrancy to the festive season.