Plant ofthe Month
Alpinia mutica Roxb.
The Orchid Ginger is a popular ginger plant for landscaping in Singapore. It has lovely orchid-like flowers that are white with a deep yellow lip decorated with dark red lines and spots, its round fruit are an attractive orange-red colour. When crushed, its lance-shaped foliage releases a spicy aroma similar to that of cinnamon and citrus. It grows well in Singapore under full sun and in moist soil.
Animal ofthe Month
Hylarana labialis
The Copper-cheeked Frog has an unusual call that sounds like dripping water. Found in Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves and their surrounding Nature Parks, this frog can be found near streams and water bodies. It is best identified by a large brown patch at its eardrum as it can come in different colours of green, brown and yellow.)
Did youknow?
Learn MoreSunda Slow Loris
Video of wild Sunda Slow Loris in Singapore, captured on Night Vision Equipment.
Flora & Fauna News
View AllA new generic record for the native flora of Singapore
A specimen collected from Nee Soon Swamp Forest in 2005 was identified as <i>Pycnarrhena fasciculata</i>, a woody, dioecious climber. This genus was previously unrecorded in the Singapore flora. This Nee Soon specimen is important as the voucher for an unrecorded genus in Singapore's native flora, but also as the only available flowering specimen of <i>Pycnarrhena fasciculata</i> as the Type specimen does not have flowers.
15 May, 2023The bat-attracting Palaquium obovatum
Studies in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia have countered the deduction that most Palaquium species are insect-pollinated when they recorded visitations by various species of birds and bats. A preliminary study conducted in Singapore Botanic Gardens have further supported this assertion with the discovery of another pollinator of Palaquium obovatum, commonly known as lesser dog-faced fruit bat (Cynopterus brachyotis). This bat species has been a well-known seed disperser of Palaquium obovatum and the prospects of an additional role as a pollinator has indicated a double mutualism between partner species. Further studies are required to study its feeding habits, and their role in wild populations of Palaquium species in Singapore.
03 Apr, 2023A New Record for Singapore, Memecylon acuminatissimum
Singapore saw a new record through research done on herbarium material collected. Using five herbarium specimens collected from one or two trees from the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Chestnut Nature Park, it was determined that Memecylon acuminatissimum is an accepted species and not as previously thought, a synonym of M. oleifolium. This showed that vouchering living specimens is still vital for the recording of biodiversity in Singapore. This new record is also testament to the important conservation value of small patches of primary forests within urban environments, like Singapore.
01 Feb, 2023