Mah Ni Cao or Sarang Naga
This is commonly found in most hilly places in Sarawak.
It was often uised by wreath makers in the olden days. Mrs. Mary Hoover was the teacher who taught many Foochows to use this fern when they need to prepare wreaths for funerals.
My grandfather was often the man who would prepare the wreaths for church funerals as he was very good with his hands and he also grew a lot of flowers.
He would make a ring with wires and then he would wind and twist the mah ni cao around the wires until the ring became very form. After that he would pin or stick the flowers on the the ring.
the Methodist Children's Home has often been the source of wreaths for many Methodist funerals. Today florists in the town make a big profit making wreaths for funerals.
I remember one funeral when the Rev Ho Siew Liong in Sing Ang Tong called my grandfather up to the front of the church to present a wreath. He was a tall man and he stifly went up, bowed and then placed the wreath on the coffin. It was a beautiful wreath which he made from Mah Ni Cao, purple bouganvillea and yellow alamandas. I was so proud of him.
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