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Plant of the Month
Artocarpus kemando
Artocarpus kemando, also known as Squirrel's Jack, is a critically endangered tree in Singapore. It can reach up to 35 m tall. Despite its stature, the compound fruit is one of the smallest in its genus and they are eaten and dispersed by small mammals and birds.
Animal of the Month
Megophrys nasuta
The Malayan Horned Frog has a snout that is distinctly pointed and horn-like skin flaps present above the eyes, giving it excellent camouflage on the forest floors of the Central Nature Reserves, where they are confined to in Singapore. It has a loud call that sounds like a metallic honk.
Petal tradeoff
Did you know that the critically endangered Rubroshorea parvifolia is pollinated by Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae spp)? This majestic emergent tree typically flowers once every 5 to 10 years. When in bloom, the tree crown is covered in small yellow flowers. Leaf beetles play a crucial role by simultaneously feeding on the petals and pollinating the flowers. This strategy of sacrificing the petals to increase the chances of pollination is one of many plant-insect interactions in our tropical ecosystem.
Rubroshorea parvifolia
Superfood Elephant Foot Yam
Did you know the Elephant Foot Yam is a superfood? Its starchy tuber is rich in minerals such as calcium and phosphorous. While the tubers of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius are commonly used in curries of Asian cuisines, the leafy parts are cooked as vegetables. The plant produces only one large leaf each time, and the unique inflorescence emits an odour that attracts pollinators like flies and beetles.
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Traveller’s Palm
Did you know that the Traveller’s Palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) is not a true palm? It belongs to the Strelitziaceae family and it is a close relative to the Bird of Paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae). Native to Madagascar, the Traveller’s Palm is popular in tropical landscape because of its enormous leaves which are arranged in a fan shape. It produces big, erect inflorescence like that of Heliconias. However, it seldom blooms in Singapore due to the wet weather. Its fruit are brown capsules, enclosing numerous seeds covered with bright blue arils.
Ravenala madagascariensis
Our Native Spice Tree
Did you know the Syzygium polyanthum or Indonesian Bay-leaf is a spice tree native to Singapore? Found in tropical forests, this tree can grow to heights of over 30 m. Its aromatic young leaves are cooked fresh or dried in meat and vegetable curries and stews, and is commonly sold in Indonesian markets and by street vendors. The sour tasting fruit are edible when ripe. Besides its edible uses, a dye can be extracted from the bark and its timber is suitable for making furniture.
Our Native Spice Tree
Green Grass Jelly plant
Queen Coralbead (Nephroia orbiculata) is a sprawling, woody vine that is critically endangered in Singapore. It has waxy, light bluish-green leaves that can be blended with water to form a green Grass Jelly, that is eaten as a dessert in Indonesia. The plant produces clusters of round, blue to black fruit, relished by birds like Bulbuls (Pycnonotus spp.), they also help to disperse the seeds.
Queen Coralbead
Sunda Pangolin
Video of wild Sunda Pangolin in Singapore, captured on Night Vision Equipment.