what happened to the once popular bridal veil?

at one time, this hanging vine was a common sight all over singapore, especially in schools and outside some government buildings. it seemed like there was a decree from someone very high up there to grow this plant as it would enhance our image as a garden city.

but this scheme died a natural death when fences could not bear the weight of the fast-growing vine. they grew so fast and so thickly that the fence gave way under their weight.

now, we hardly see this vine on the fence or wall of any building; we can still see it in the wild. i found this growing in the secondary forest of the sungei buloh wetland reserve.

see how quickly you can fall from grace, even if you are the chosen one, if you carry too much weight around.