Taman Botani Putrajaya features exotic tropical plants from different regions around the world set on 230 acres. There are about 700 species from more than 90 countries on display.
This park has been designed as an Acadia or a national sanctuary for the Malaysian living collection of plant taxonomy as well as a centre for education and research. Putrajaya Botanical Garden is located on the Northern section of Precinct 1.
Among the many attractions available is the Main Building which consists of an interactive Exhibition, Restaurant and Gift Shop.
Interesting Features of Taman Botani
Other features of the park include the park include the Explorer's Trail, Canopy Bridge, Heliconea Trail and Vine Garden, Plam Hill, Sun Garden (Orchid Path), Floral Garden (Floral Steps, African Collection, Tropical African Collection, Bougainvillea Tunnel, Asia Pacific Collection, Ficus Shace, Rain shelter) and Lakeside (Hibiscus Walk), Lakeside café, Pandanus Walk, Canna Walk and Fern Garden.
Putrajaya Botanical Garden captures in full colour the diversity of tropical flowering species. The collection of plant life assembled here consists not only of plants that are indigenous to Malaysia but includes many species, which are introduced from other tropical countries, stretching across Africa, Tropical America and Asia Pacific.
A leisurely walk through the garden takes you across natural landscapes displaying the indigenous plants of major tropical regions. Informative plaques and materials are strategically located to help you better understand their complex nature.
Bleeding Banana Leaves At Botanical Garden?
Have you ever seen a "bleeding" banana leaves? I bet you never.
Yes, you can see the Blood Banana (musa sumatrana) tree which has leaves featuring reddish-indigo streaks that resemble blood from afar. The dry trunk with leaves peeling off often leads one to also assume that the tree is suffering from dehydration.
In reality, the dry trunk indicates a healthy tree so no additional watering is required. The trunk is also a lot slimmer than regular banana tree trunks which is part of the beauty of the Blood Banana.
The seemingly bloody leaves camouflaged tiny, green fruits that are inedible as they are full of seeds.
The plants in Taman Botani are indeed beautiful. But, you're strictly forbidden from plucking the leaves, flowers and fruits growing in the garden. You'll be fined if you did!
Another unique banana species in Putrajaya Botanical Garden is the pisang derhaka ( derhaka is a Malay word for traitor). This species got it's name because its jantung pisang-like flower refuses to succumb to gravity and grow upwards instead. Its scientific name is musa ornata.
The Vine Garden within the Botanical Garden is a scene straight out of a fairytale book with metres and metres of more than 20 creeper, vine and climber species. Here, you'll be mesmerized by a grand show of flowers with the Bengal Vine (Thunbergia grandiflora, Thunbergia lauriflora) and Silky Afgekia (Afgekia sericea) in full bloom and the unique flowers of the fly catching vine (Aristolochia labiosa) flowers that resembles a cockerel.
The Botanical Garden is a really huge place. But don't worry, there is an 18-seater trams will take you around the park for a token sum of RM3 for adults and RM2 for children between five and 12.
Opening Hours
Garden: The botanical garden is open daily from 9am – 7pm.
Interactive Exhibition
The Visitor Interactive Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am - 6pm.
Admission
Admission to the garden is free. Entry fee to the Interactive Exhibition is RM2.
Parking
Visitors may park their vehicles at the Main Parking Area. Parking fee is RM1 per entry.
Getting There
By Bus
From Sinar Kota in Kuala Lumpur, you can catch the Park May (Cityliner) bus number 868 to Putrajaya. This bus service operates from 6.30am until 10pm and the fare is about RM2.60. From the temporary bus and taxi terminal at Precinct 9, you can catch a Nadi Putra bus to the Botanical Garden (Taman Botani).
By Rail
You can get to Putrajaya via the KLIA transit train which departs from Kuala Lumpur's Sentral Station. The train runs every 30 minutes from 5.30am to 1am the next morning, and stops at the Western Transportation Terminal in Precinct 7. From there, you can catch a Nadi Putra bus service to the Botanical Garden (Taman Botani).
Taman Botani is open to the public 9.00 am - 7.00pm daily while the interactive exhibition in the main building is open from Tuesdays to Sundays; 10.00 am - 6.30 pm
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