Plant of the Month
Celosia argentea Plumosa Group
Celosia argentea Plumosa Group, commonly known as Plumed Celosia, is a popular herbaceous plant during Chinese New Year for its striking red or yellow inflorescences. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and is favoured both as vibrant garden plants and long-lasting cut flowers.
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.
Hornet Creeper and Butterflies
Did you know that the Hornet Creeper (Dalbergia rostrata) is a vital host plant for local butterflies? Caterpillars of the Perak Lascar (Pantoporia paraka paraka) and Dark Flat (Tapena thwaitesi bornea) feed on its leaves during their development. This native climber highlights the intricate plant and animal relationships that contribute to Singapore's biodiversity.
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Happiness Tree
The Happiness Tree (Garcinia subelliptica) is a common sight in the rural landscapes of Okinawa, Japan. The tree’s hard, dense wood can withstand fire and physical stresses from strong winds and are often planted in gardens to provide a barrier for houses from fire and destructive typhoons. The tree’s evergreen, thick glossy leaves also provide shade from the relentless sun. In that sense, the Happiness Tree brings joy by protecting families from natural disasters like fires and typhoons supporting a happy family life
Garcinia subelliptica
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
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
A Pipe’s Trap
Did you know the Aristolochia acuminata (Dutchman’s Pipe) can trap pollinating insects in its flower? This woody climber produces small pipe-like flowers, specially modified to attract and trap unsuspecting pollinating insects like fruit flies. The trap works when the insect slides down the slippery and hairy tube of a fresh flower that opens in an upright position. As the insect feeds on the nectar or attempts to escape, it is dusted in pollen, and its movements pollinate the flower. After fertilisation, the flower starts to wilt and tilt downwards, providing an escape route for the trapped insects.
Dutchman’s Pipe
Sunda Pangolin
Video of wild Sunda Pangolin in Singapore, captured on Night Vision Equipment.
Flora & Fauna News
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Why Old Trees Matter in Cities
09 February 2026
Why Old Trees Matter in Cities
09 February 2026
Researchers studied 12 large, old native trees in Singapore's forest fragments and urban landscapes and found that they can live for centuries, with the oldest tree estimated to be 381 to 538 years old. These findings show that old trees are remarkably resilient in urban environments, surviving longer than expected despite development pressures, with urban tree ages matching those in forests.
A 'Ghost' Orchid Species Discovered in Singapore After 120 Years
14 January 2026
A 'Ghost' Orchid Species Discovered in Singapore After 120 Years
14 January 2026
A rare orchid, Gastrodia queenslandica, has been observed flowering in Singapore for the first time since the early 1900s! This unusual orchid is a "ghost plant" that lives and grows underground, feeding off fungi instead of producing food through photosynthesis, and only emerges briefly to flower and fruit. The species was until now thought to exist only in Australia, and historical specimens collected from Singapore by botanist Henry Ridley were misidentified for over a century. The discovery of small populations in Singapore's Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Nee Soon freshwater swamp forests, as well as in Thailand, reveals this species has a much wider distribution than previously known.
The Hoya confusion
23 December 2025
The Hoya confusion
23 December 2025
Researchers resolved a long-standing confusion surrounding the identity of Hoya macrophylla, tracing the issue to an early botanical illustration that mistakenly combined features of two different species. Through re-examining historical drawings, type specimens and herbarium material from multiple global collections, the study clarified which traits truly belong to H. macrophylla and distinguished it from H. latifolia. Their findings underscore the importance of revisiting historical sources with modern taxonomic standards, ensuring that future studies are based on accurate identifications and reliable taxonomic literature.
Dipterocarps: Pillars of the rainforest
21 November 2025
Dipterocarps: Pillars of the rainforest
21 November 2025
Dipterocarp trees are dominant in the rainforests across the Sunda region, including Singapore. These towering trees play a key role in shaping the forest environment. Researchers document the complex structure of these forests and the ways dipterocarp trees support plant regeneration and wildlife. This ecosystem faces ongoing pressures from logging, land conversion, and climate change, highlighting the need for active management and strong conservation efforts.