There were several rhododendron plants on the ridge but I could not see any flowers to photograph. The tea trees with their gnarled roots reminds me of the montane vegetation above 10,000 feet at Mount Kinabalu. In Kinabalu the strong winds and the lack of soil are responsible for the stunting and contorting of the trees. In Rocky Mountain, the same phenomenon is present � the narrow limestone ridge has no soil at all and the tea trees on the ridge are also subjected to strong winds. This is more evident if you had climbed up the southern rocky outcrop about 10 metres high, The base of the rock has a thick carpet of moss. On top, there are two tea trees barely surviving, with their exposed roots clinging to the limestone. The view is much better here. I missed the gesneriad you mentioned � I did not read the trip report thoroughly! There is one plant similar to Schima breviflora, a montane plant found above 10,000 feet (featured on our 30 sen stamp). It has thick maroon leaves which turn dark green as they mature. I could not see any flowers or fruits to make the diagnosis. It would be very unusual to see it here because the height is only about 1,000 feet by my estimation.

* If you climb Rocky Mountain in 7 year's time in July you may be lucky enough to pick some delicious durians near the banyan tree at the summit.

Dr. Chan Ah Lak
(Evelyn Yoon organised this private trip for a small group but almost 20 participants turned up).