Orchid Naming for Bindi Irwin

Singapore, 12 Apr 2013 - Australian wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin, 14, visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens today. To recognise her contribution in promoting wildlife conservation, Dr Nigel Taylor, Director (Singapore Botanic Gardens), presented Bindi with an orchid named after her - Dendrobium Bindi Irwin. Bindi also interacted with selected students and teachers from Bedok Green Primary, Queenstown Primary and Rosyth School.

Daughter of The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin, Bindi is following her late father's footsteps by promoting wildlife conservation through her work on TV and in movies. Together with her family, Bindi manages a 135,000-hectare reserve, home to 19 per cent of Australia's native bird varieties and countless plant and insect species.

"Singapore is a beautiful City in a Garden, and I'm honoured to receive recognition from Singapore Botanic Gardens on behalf of my family's continuation of my dad, Steve Irwin's legacy for wildlife conservation," said Bindi Irwin. "Having an orchid named after me makes me more determined to create a positive impact on young Singaporean kids through my work with Discovery Kids and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors. My dad was one man who changed the world. If one man can make a difference, YOU can make a difference too!"

Dr Nigel Taylor said, "Orchid naming is our special way of welcoming heads of state and other important guests. It is our pleasure to name an orchid after Bindi in recognition of her contribution to wildlife conservation. As we want to engage young Singaporeans in commemorating 50 Years of Greening Singapore this year, we have specially arranged for Bindi and her family to interact and share their experiences with other young students with a keen interest in conservation. As an accomplished young lady whose achievements belie her years, Bindi can inspire the next generation of Singaporeans to conserve our natural heritage, and take ownership of our City in a Garden."

The orchid named after Bindi, Dendrobium Bindi Irwin (Dendrobium Jean Chretien x Dendrobium David Baltimore), is a free flowering and vibrant orchid hybrid. Each semi-arching inflorescence bears more than 20 flowers, measuring about 5cm across. All floral parts are yellowish green except for the centre of the wavy lip, which has light purple brown venations. 

Orchid naming is Singapore's own special way of welcoming important guests. The National Orchid Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens houses VIP orchids named after state dignitaries such as Paravanda Nelson Mandela and Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher, as well as celebrity orchids such as Dendrobium Jackie Chan and Spathoglottis Jane Goodall.

Bindi and her family are in town to promote her upcoming programme Steve Irwin's Wildlife Warriors, set to premiere on Discovery Kids Channel starting 10 July, every weekday at 8:00 p.m. (StarHub Channel 308, SingTel Mio Channel 458).