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Plant of the Month
Thottea praetermissa
Thottea praetermissa is a critically endangered shrub in Singapore and flourishes in shady lowland forests near freshwater swamps. Reaching up to 1.3 m in height, it produces dull purple-red flowers that tend to bloom near to the ground, which suggests that they may be pollinated by flies or beetles.
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.
Smelly but healthy
Did you know that Noni (Morinda citrifolia) used to be grown in villages in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia? The ripe fruit is oval and turns yellowish white with a rancid smell. The bitter fruit juice which is rich in potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants is consumed in many parts of the world such as in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Young leaves are eaten in Java as a vegetable. The fruit and leaves are used in Indonesian and Filipino traditional medicine respectively. This shrub to small tree is native to Singapore and can be found in the wild along the shoreline and secondary forests.
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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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Pretty like a Fairy
The Fairy Petticoat (Elaeocarpus grandiflorus) is a tree that can reach up to 25 m tall and develops reddish young leaves that mature to a green colour, leaves turn red again when senescing, before dropping off. This low maintenance species tolerates dry soils when it is mature. Did you know how the common name Fairy Petticoat came about? This common name references the clusters of small, pendulous flowers with white, frilly petals surrounded by pink sepals that the tree produces. These whimsical looking flowers bring to mind a fairy’s skirt!
Elaeocarpus grandiflorus
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 Slow Loris
Video of wild Sunda Slow Loris in Singapore, captured on Night Vision Equipment.
Flora & Fauna News
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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.
Orchid Renaissance in Singapore’s Urban Jungle
03 March 2025
Orchid Renaissance in Singapore’s Urban Jungle
03 March 2025
Singapore’s urban landscape has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in native orchid species. Over the past 15 years, the number of extant native orchids species has increased from 45 to 76, due to taxonomic revisions and new discoveries. This success stems from the establishment of resident taxonomists that embrace integrative taxonomy and comprehensive botanical surveys and field research. The Singapore Botanic Gardens plays a crucial role in orchid conservation, spearheading ex-situ propagation and reintroduction programmes leading to the successful reintroduction of over 60 native orchid species across the city-state. This orchid renaissance demonstrates that urban areas can serve as important refugia for biodiversity, offering hope for conservation in city environments worldwide.
Singapore Red Data Book (3rd edition)
05 February 2025
Singapore Red Data Book (3rd edition)
05 February 2025
The third edition of the Singapore Red Data Book updates the status of over 9,400 species in Singapore and provides key baseline data that supports species monitoring and guides local conservation efforts. Jointly produced by NParks, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and the Nature Society (Singapore), notable new plant species include Hanguana rubinea , rediscoveries of species previously thought to be extinct as well as new records of species.
New Method to Detect Defects in Tree Populations
02 January 2025
New Method to Detect Defects in Tree Populations
02 January 2025
Researchers from Nanyang Technology University and National Parks Board have developed a non-destructive method to detect tree defects by re-utilising ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for aboveground detection. Existing detection methods, such as sonic or electrical resistivity tomography and even those based on traditional use of GPR, are time-consuming, labour-intensive and can only measure individual trees. Through contactless measurement along a straight path, automated movement of sensor detectors and advanced signal and data processing, this new method was shown to quickly and accurately detect defects in tree populations, facilitating their management in urban settings.