News Listing Page
A new species of Homalomena from Indonesian New Guinea
07 July 2026
A new aroid species discovered in Central Papua, Indonesia, was formally named Homalomena polyneura. The specific epithet polyneura is derived from the Greek poly- (many) and neuron (nerve, vein), in reference to the conspicuous raised veins on the upper leaf surface. This water-loving plant is about 10–17 cm in height, with attractive, narrow, elongated to oblong leaves bearing 5–9 prominent veins on each side. The species has long been in commercial trade under the horticultural name Homalomena ‘Samurai’ and was formally described as a distinct species in 2025.
A new species of Curcuma from Vietnam
08 May 2026
A new ginger species discovered in south-central Vietnam was named Curcuma corallina. The specific epithet from the Latin ‘corallinus’ references the coral pink bracts and corolla lobes. This terrestrial rhizomatous herb grows up to 1.2 metres tall and can be found naturally in the understorey of secondary broadleaf forests, secondary broadleaf-bamboo mixed forests and along stream banks.
New Cactus in Flora of Singapore
10 April 2026
Epiphyllum hookeri subsp. hookeri is a new addition to Singapore's official list of naturalised and casually occurring plant species. This neotropical cactus is a leafless epiphyte with flattened photosynthetic stems. It is believed to have established itself in the local urban landscape through seed dispersal by birds feeding on the fruit of cultivated plants. This report brings the total number of non-native casual cacti species in Singapore to three, joining Leuenbergeria bleo (formerly Pereskia bleo) and Selenicereus undatus (formerly Hylocereus undatus), or better known as Dragon Fruit.
A New Orchid Record for Singapore!
03 March 2026
Singapore has recorded its first Didymoplexis micradenia, a rare orchid that relies on fungi for nutrition. This small, leafless orchid produces delicate white flowers with finely toothed lip edges and was found in secondary forests in thick leaf litter. Encountered and collected three times over 15 years, the orchid's true identity was only became clear when the recent flowering material was collected in 2025. This marks the first confirmed record of the Didymoplexis genus in Singapore. The species is assessed as Critically Endangered in singapore with fewer than 50 individuals recorded. This discovery reminds us of the botanical treasures still hidden in our forests, waiting to be discovered.
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 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.
