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Plant of the Month
Uvaria grandiflora
Commonly known as the Red Hot Poker, this Singapore native is a woody climber found naturally in rainforests. Its common name is derived from its bright red, eye-catching flower which resemble the hot glowing end of a poker. The climber is drought-tolerant, and is a food plant for the caterpillars of the Five Bar Swordtail (Graphium antiphates itamputi). It grows best planted on trellises and pergolas in parks and gardens.
Animal of the Month
Cypraea tigris
Cypraea tigris, commonly known as the Tiger Cowrie, is a large sea snail found on the ocean floor in the Indo-Pacific region. Once common, it is now much less abundant due to shell collecting and habitat destruction. In Singapore, it is exceedingly rare.
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Adinandra Belukar
Did you know that Adinandra Belukar is a type of young secondary forest and is named after the dominant species of this habitat – Tiup-tiup (Adinandra dumosa)? And Belukar means ‘degraded’ in Malay. This forest type is characterised by poor, degraded soils, low species diversity and high fluctuations between day and night temperatures and humidity. The Tiup-tiup flourishes in the Adinandra Belukar forest given its preference for poor nutrients soils and full sun conditions typical of young secondary forests.
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In a nutshell - Peanuts
When you snack on roasted peanuts or rich creamy peanut butter, have you ever wondered why the peanut grows underground even though its flowers bloom above ground? The peanut is a dehiscent legume (dry fruit) from the plant, Arachis hypogaea whose flowers and legumes initially form aboveground following pollination. As the fruit develops, the flower stalk elongates due to rapid proliferation of cells under the ovary and curves downward, forcing the young fruit into the ground. The peanut pod matures underground and typically contains two seeds. High in protein and other essential nutrients, the seed leaves (cotyledons) are regularly used in Asian cuisine such as gado-gado and peanut sauce for Satay! The peanut can also be used to make other useful products such as peanut soap and biodiesel fuel.
In a nutshell - Peanuts
White to Black
Did you know that Gluta wallichii also known as Rengas Kerbau Jalang, is a tree that produces milky-coloured sap that changes to black? Species from the Mango family (Anacardiaceae) exude colourless, pale yellow or clear resinous sap which oxidises to black upon exposure to air.
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Versatility of Simpoh Air
Simpoh Air is a free-flowering large shrub that produces striking large yellow flowers, which only last for a day. When ripe, its fruit splits open revealing seeds encased in a fleshy red aril and enjoyed by birds. Did you know that this pioneer species has a trove of versatile uses? Its deep taproot allows it to access underground water sources, and its presence could sometimes indicate groundwater sources. This quick-growing plant creates shade in otherwise barren environments, supporting the growth of shade-loving species and promoting the diversity and development of forests. Simpoh Air’s large waxy leaves are also traditionally used in Peninsular Malaysia to wrap and contain food like tempeh.
Versatility of Simpoh Air
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
Sunda Pangolin
Video of wild Sunda Pangolin in Singapore, captured on Night Vision Equipment.