Speaker Series (24 September 2026): Pepper, Nutmeg and Chanel No. 5: Launch of the Flora of Singapore Vol. 4

SPEAKER SERIES
Speaker Series (24 September 2026): Pepper, Nutmeg and Chanel No. 5: Launch of the Flora of Singapore Vol. 4

The Flora of Singapore project is an ongoing effort to document and describe every plant species found on our island, from the towering trees of our nature reserves to the humble weeds along our roadsides. In this session, we are pleased to have with us Dr Jana Leong-Škorničková, Dr Daniel Thomas, Dr Junhao Chen, and Dr Michele Rodda. They will share findings from this latest publication and explore how illustrations and images are critical to accurate identification.

Join us on Thursday, 24 September 2026, 4pm at Function Hall of Singapore Botanic Gardens (Level 1 of Botany Centre), to find out more!

Session is free seating thus no advance registration is required.

Session synopsis
What is a 'Flora', and why does it matter? Join us as researchers from the Singapore Botanic Gardens introduce the Flora of Singapore project — an ongoing effort to document and describe every plant species found on our island. Discover highlights from our latest volume, featuring plant groups well known for their uses and ecological roles, and learn how botanical illustrations and images are critical for accurate plant identification. Together, we’ll explore how each new volume deepens our understanding of Singapore's rich botanical heritage.

About the Speakers

• Dr Jana Leong-Škorničková
  Dr Jana coordinates the Flora of Singapore Project and is one of the editors of this 14-volume series. She will introduce the project and this new volume. Her research specialises in the taxonomy and conservation of tropical herbaceous monocots, particularly gingers.
  
  
• Dr Daniel Thomas
  Dr Daniel's research focuses on species-rich tropical plant groups — how they evolved and how to protect them. He also teaches at Nanyang Technological University and helps coordinate Flora Malesiana, an international project documenting the plants of Southeast Asia. He will present on two groups he specialises in: soursops (Annonaceae) and laurels (Lauraceae).
  
  
• Dr Junhao Chen
  Dr Chen studies tropical plants in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and soursop family (Annonaceae), classifying species and investigating their evolutionary relationships. He also teaches at the National University of Singapore and serves as a copy editor of Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. He will introduce two plant groups: true magnolias (Magnoliaceae) and magnolia vines (Schisandraceae).
  
  
• Dr Michele Rodda
  Dr Michele's research focuses on the taxonomy and evolution of Apocynaceae in Southeast Asia and neighbouring regions. Since 2021, he has also curated exhibitions at the Botanical Art Gallery. He will share the importance of botanical illustrations in floras.
  

Book Sale
Volumes of Flora of Singapore will be available for purchase after the session at Function Hall from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm at the following discounted prices: