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It's A Jungle Out There (Part II)

Palms

Unlike coconuts, there are many varieties of palms found in the jungle. Among the oldest of all plant species, they are found in a wide variety of growing conditions.
Although generally not shade tolerant they do suffer light shade. The ones often associated with rivers are mainly Nipa palms whose leaves are used as roofing material in the Tropics. Not all palms have fronds similar to coconuts for some resemble banana leaves and some even have a circular, corrugated pattern. Nevertheless, they still have one straight trunk with no branches.

Palms add variety to a jungle dio and are often aesthetically pleasing. Leaves maybe fashioned in a similar way to coconuts although the smaller varieties often encountered have shorter fronds (2-5cm in 1:35th). Trunks differ widely and are sometimes rough due to part of the leaf base left behind after the frond drops off (photo #12). Go with PE fronds if you decide to do a river scene with Nipa palms (have fronds similar to coconut but more uprightly inserted to the trunk) because of the sheer numbers. Otherwise scattered palms can be covered using a similar method to coconuts for the leaves.

Dried flowers shown in photo #13 can be pretty useful for variety. The trunk is fashioned from stacking the flower to right of the photo and a toothpick is inserted through the middle. Palm leaves are simply created by sniping and shaping the dried leaf which is then glued to a flower stalk of another dried flower. Of course, the more leaves on the trunk the better with five leaves or fronds being the bare minimum.

Small Shrubs/Saplings

The majority of the small shrubs in a jungle are mainly the offspring of the larger trees that are found there with the rest being small woody bushes. Under heavy shade you don’t get too many of these except when a big tree falls or at jungle edges and streams. These small shrubs ranging from 30cm to as tall as or taller than a human and together with creepers in open areas represent the typical wild impenetrable jungle of Hollywood movies.

As you can see from Photo # 14 there are many variations in canopy shapes, density and leaf shapes.

A nicely branched twig about 4-6cm height with a 2-3mm diameter (main trunk) will be okay for 1/35 modeling. Choice of leaves range from spices (Oregano & tea leaves are fine) to PE leaves. Attach as you would for making most temperate trees with PVA glue except the canopies tend to be much sparser. Remember they’re supposed to be young saplings so you have to keep them relatively short, preferably not exceeding 8cm The one featured in the background of Photo #15 has a trunk from the dried stalk of teak flowers. Leaves are from a dried weed (no preservative) with fine leaves. You will often find that the best fine branching of twigs are found in the multiple flower stalks of most large trees. A bit of fine roots have been stuck to the base which will be partially exposed for added realism.

The ones in the foreground are from another unidentified flower stalk gotten from a dried flower shop. Their fine branching is excellent especially when combined with tea leaves.

Alternatively is to look for twigs from frequently pruned hedges as frequent pruning causes finer branching. Dried roots of big trees are another alternative. Finally there’s always the Internet, where you can get Sea Foam which is also available from railroad hobby shops.

IV. A Jungle Vignette

While not exhaustive the vegetation covered in both Part I & II and the guidelines provided should be able to be offer sufficient combinations to portray most jungle scenarios. Included in the next set of photos is a little vignette employing several of the methods & materials described here. The 12 x 12 cm. vignette portrays a jungle edge which borders a paddy field, not an uncommon scene in Vietnam.

The following vegetation has been utilized:

• 1.
Grasses (Coconut husk fibres)
• 2.
Paddy seedlings in bunches (Brush hair)
• 3.
Ground creepers (Glycerin preserved weeds)
• 4.
Shrubs (Dried flower stalks & tea leaves)
• 5.
Bananas (Glycerin preserved ferns, paper & toothpick)
• 6.
Coconut palm (Aluminum foil & bamboo skewer)
• 7.
Palm (various Dried flowers)
• 8.
Ground debris/litter (combination of tea leaves, dried fern leaves, fine twigs & normal garden compost fertilizer)

The right of Photo #16 is supposed to lead to a secondary jungle whilst the front and left portions mark the exposed boundary which borders the rice field. Grasses abound at the left and frontal portions where sunlight is greater due to relatively less shading. Likewise the palm at the back is also found at left of the vignette where there is greater light exposure. Grasses are slowly succeeded by ground creepers as we move towards the back and right of the vignette as we can see from Photo # 17 & 18 where it’s supposedly darker.

The coconut and bananas have been planted by the farmer who usually cultivates such fruit crops at jungle edges or “green” tracts that separate his land from his neighbors. The coconut trunk has been intentionally slanted to give an “illusion” of canopy weight. Its feeder roots can be seen partially exposed in Photo # 17. Ground debris add much to the overall realism as plants eventually shed their leaves, which remain at various stages of decomposition as seen under the coconut and bananas in Photo # 18.

V. Conclusion

We’ve left out medium sized jungle trees as making them are not too different from the many excellent methods for making trees mentioned in this forum. However, unlike their temperate cousins most jungle ones are generally straight trunk with branching largely restricted to at the upper third of the trunk. Also if you’re using PE leaves, you may want to avoid oak or maple leaves although we do get the tropical version of oak in the tropics.

Many, many thanks to the Editor and Staff of Amorama for assisting us in publishing this lengthy article. Just remember, it really is a Jungle Out There, so take care.

References

1. (a nice site with photos of disturbed jungles. Although its on Australia it’s a fair approximation to most disturbed tropical jungles)

2. (An Aussie view of the war. Very nice jungle scenes)

3. (the homepage has been mentioned before in forums and it’s a very good site for riverine ops in Vietnam. Given here is the link to riverine vegetation & scenery)

4. (a large photo site on Vietnam War images. Quite general with some jungle scenery)

By CK Tang & Costas Rodopoulos