Plant of the Month
Pterisanthes polita
Pterisanthes polita, also known as the Simple-leaved Ribbon Vine, is a critically endangered climber native to Singapore. It thrives in the shaded, moist understorey of lowland dipterocarp and swamp forests. This vine bears distinctive ribbon-like inflorescences. The small, delicate flowers are likely pollinated by bees, while birds are drawn to its small red berries.
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.
Tiny Durian
Did you know that there's a bite-sized version of the durian (Durio zibenthinus)? Durio griffithii, also known as Squirrel's Durian, is an endangered tree native to Singapore and found in forests and hillsides. It can grow up to 30 m tall and bears adorably small fruit measuring just 4 to 8 cm long! At first glance, the tiny fruit has a strong resemblance to the durian, however instead of remaining green, they ripen to a striking orangey-red colour. It contains very little pulp and is not consumed by humans, but is eaten by animals like monkeys.
Tiny Durians
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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Tasty Tamarind
Did you know the Tamarind tree is the source of Asam commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking? Part of the legume family (Fabaceae), the tree can be found along the streets of Singapore. The mildly fragrant flowers are pollinated by insects and develop into bean pods. Within the fruit is the tasty pulp, prized for its complex and sour flavour, giving dishes their characteristic Asam taste. Outside of Asia it is a component in the renowned Worcestershire sauce. The Tamarind tree is hardy and long lived, making it an ideal urban tree. There are currently three individuals in Singapore that have been registered as Heritage Trees!
Tasty Tamarind
Sacrificing seeds for pollination
Did you know that the Monkey Apple (Glochidion littorale) is pollinated by a seed parasite? Native to Singapore, the Monkey Apple attracts its pollinator, the Leaf-flower Moth (Epicephala species) by offering the moth caterpillars its seeds as food! The moth pollinates and deposits eggs in the plant’s ovary. After the fruit develops, the hatched young then feed on some of the seeds. This strategy of sacrificing some seeds for the greater good of the species is one of many plant-insect interactions in our tropical ecosystem.
Monkey Apple
More than feng shui
Did you know that Pachira aquatica, commonly known as Money Tree, isn’t just a symbol of prosperity in feng shui? It is also full of delicious surprises! Its large woody fruit contain seeds that taste like roasted peanuts or chestnuts and can be toasted and ground to make a chocolate-like beverage, likely consumed by locals in South America and Mexico. Found in wetland habitats, this tropical tree can reach up to 20 metres tall in nature and thrives both as a bonsai-like ornamental plant or planted in the landscape.
Pachira aquatica
Sunda Pangolin
Video of wild Sunda Pangolin in Singapore, captured on Night Vision Equipment.
Flora & Fauna News
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Tracing the Origins of Orchid Diversity
10 July 2025
Tracing the Origins of Orchid Diversity
10 July 2025
This global-collaborative review investigates the evolutionary origin and global diversification of orchids, one of the most species-rich groups of flowering plants. Using an expanded taxon sampling of 1,921 species and georeferenced data from world botanical databases, the study refines the orchid diversification timeline previously from 112 - 76 million years ago to approximately 83 million years ago in Laurasia, earlier than the extinction of dinosaurs. It challenges the long-held belief that Australia is the centre of orchid speciation, and instead identifies southern Central America as the origin for modern orchid diversity. The study attributes orchid diversification to ecological factors such as deceptive pollination, fungal symbiosis and changes in environmental conditions.
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Unlocking the Secrets of Hoya Pollinaria Diversity
02 June 2025
Unlocking the Secrets of Hoya Pollinaria Diversity
02 June 2025
A comprehensive study of 85 species and 4 subspecies of Hoya revealed ten distinct pollinarium types, highlighting structural variations across the genus. Researchers observed differences in key floral traits, such as the shape and texture of pollen structures, which are important for successful pollination. These traits were analysed using a phylogenetic tree, which showed that similar features had evolved multiple times across unrelated groups, a pattern known as convergent evolution. These findings enhance our understanding of floral adaptations in Hoya and offer valuable insights for taxonomy and conservation of this beloved tropical genus, which thrives in Southeast Asia’s diverse habitats.
Ninety Years Of Reshaping Tropical Leafing Patterns
06 May 2025
Ninety Years Of Reshaping Tropical Leafing Patterns
06 May 2025
With climate change, Singapore experiences more distinct drier and wetter periods than it did 9 decades ago and tropical trees are adapting to these changes in the weather. Researchers from the Singapore Botanic Gardens studied how changing weather patterns affect leafing behaviour in 23 tropical tree species, analysing historical phenological and weather records, field observations, and climate data dating back to 1927. The findings reveal that the increase in seasonality of rainfall have resulted in more frequent leaf flushing, which could impact plant-herbivore interactions, nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem resilience. By providing critical insights into how tropical trees are adapting to a changing climate, this research also highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts.
How Colour Changes in Licuala ferruginea Fruits Signal Bird Dispersal Strategy
03 April 2025
How Colour Changes in Licuala ferruginea Fruits Signal Bird Dispersal Strategy
03 April 2025
A study was conducted by researchers from NParks to understand the correlation between the changing colours of Licuala ferruginea fruits and their fauna seed-dispersers. By monitoring local plant specimens in rainforest and nursery settings, observations suggest that the initial red colour serves as an early advertisement to birds while subsequent pink and white stages aid in camouflaging, allowing the fruit to ripen finally to purple and black. Purple and black colouration are established visual prompts for frugivorous birds, signalling that fruits are ripe to consume. Despite being fed on by a range of mammals, it is postulated that Forest bulbuls are the intended dispersers for Licuala ferruginea due to their gape sizes matching the fruit size. This theory supports the hypothesis of coevolution between fruit traits and disperser morphology and behaviour.