Ficus benghalensis

Ficus benghalensis

Life stage-characteristic

Plant Growth Form : Tree

Foliar

                 Mature Foliage Colour(s) : Green

Leaf Area Index (LAI) * for Green Plot Ratio : 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Fruit, seeds, and spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) [Angiosperms & Gymnosperms] : Orange

Plant care and propagation

Light Preference : Full Sun

Water Preference : Moderate Water

Adenanthera pavonina L.

Adenanthera pavonina L.




Family Name : Fabaceae (Leguminosae)  
Common Names : Saga, Coral Bean Tree, Daun Tumpul, Suga, Redwood, Red Sandalwood Tree, Peacock Flower Fence, Barbados Pride, Coral Pea, Red Bead Tree, Circassian Bean, Coralwood.

Life stage-characteristic

Plant Division : Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)

Plant Growth Form : Tree (Medium (16m-30m))

Lifespan (in Singapore) : Perennial

Mode of Nutrition : Autotrophic

Plant Shape : IrregularMaximum 

Height : 15 m to 25 m

Description and ethnobotany

Plant Morphology 

Growth Form: Medium-sized leguminous tree, up to 25m height, with somewhat irregularly rounded crown. Trunk slightly buttressed, with greyish-brown bark.

Foliage: Leaves bipinnately-compound with 2-6 pairs of secondary stalks. Individual leaflets oblong, thin and pale green with unequally-sided base, 9-15 pairs on each secondary stalk. Species is deciduous, shedding leaves for brief periods every 6-8 months in Singapore.

Flowers: Small (2mm), star-shaped, mature from white to creamy yellow to dull orange, held in 7-15cm raceme inflorescences at tips of new shoots. Flowers open from base to tip of inflorescence, faintly scented like orange blossoms. Tree blooms throughout year, peaking in May.

Fruits: Seedpods pods thin and curved, ripeing from green to woody black and coiling up before splitting to release 8-12 seeds. Seeds shiny scarlet red, hard, lens-shaped, with faint "heart line" around margin, eaten and dispersed by birds.

Habitat: Found in coastal forests on rocky headlands and islets. Also frequently found along roads and around human settlements.

Conservation Status: Exotic species naturalized in Singapore. Found growing wild at wastelands and open ground.Associated Fauna : Host plant of the Plain Nawab (Polyura hebe lautus)

Cultivation : Hardy, fast growing and low-maintenance. Prefers well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils. Propagate by seeds -- scarify by filing or nicking, and soak in water for a while before sowing.

Etymology : Genus epithet 'Adenanthera' derived from Greek terms ‘aden’ (sticky gland) and ‘anthera’ (anthers), referring to tree's flower anthers being tipped with sticky glands. Species epithet pavonina came from Latin word ‘pavo’, meaning peacock-blue.

Ethnobotanical Uses : Edible Plant Parts ( (Edible Leaves; Edible Seeds)) Food ( (Fruit & Vegetable; Herb & Spice)) Edible Plant Parts (Edible Leaves; Edible Seeds), Medicinal, Timber & Products, Cultural / Religious ( Heritage Tree There is currently one individual of Adenanthera pavonina listed as a Heritage Tree in Singapore. It can be found in Singapore Botanic Gardens, near the Lady on a Hammock sculpture. To find out more about this tree, please visit the Heritage Tree Register.

)

Food: Roasted or boiled seeds eaten with rice in Java. Young leaves cooked and eaten during famine.

Medicinal: Ground up seeds used to relieve headaches and rheumatism, as well as treat boils. Uncooked seeds (though toxic) have been used as intoxicant.

Timber: Wood hard and reddish, called red sandalwood, used to build cabinets, furniture, wood ornaments and houses, or as fuel.

Products: Powdered wood provide a source of red dye, used by Brahmins in India to mark the forehead. Seeds used to make necklaces. Due to relatively uniform weight (4 seeds weigh about 1g), seeds also used in India and Sri Lanka for centuries to weigh gold and silver -- every seed is said to weigh exactly the same, although this is not true. Locally used as fill for tetrahedral bags used in children's game of 'five-stones'. 

Culture: Malaysia's first national car Proton Saga is named after this plant. Seeds frequently called and collected in bottles as "love beans", but the latter actually refers to the similar-looking red-black (and very toxic) seeds of Abrus precatorius (Rosarypea).

Landscaping feature

Desirable Plant Features : Ornamental Seeds, Fragrant (Flowers: Day; [Remarks]: Flowers have faint orange blossom scent.)

Plant & Rootzone Preference/Tolerance : Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Acidic (low pH) 

SoilsLandscape Uses : General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Shade Providing Tree / PalmThematic 

Landscaping : Naturalistic Garden, Butterfly Garden

Usage Hazards / Cons : Toxic Upon Ingestion, [Remarks] (Raw seeds are poisonous upon ingestion.)

Fauna, pollination and dispersal

Associated Fauna : Bird-Attracting, Caterpillar Food Plant (Associated with: Polyura hebe plautus (Fruhstorfer, 1898))

Seed / Spore Dispersal : Biotic (Fauna) (Associated with: Aaptos suberitoides, Seeds dispersed by birds), Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence)

Plant care and propagation

Light Preference : Full Sun

Water Preference : Moderate WaterPlant 

Growth Rate : FastMaintenance 

Requirements : Low

Propagation Method : Seed, Stem Cutting

Propagule Establishment Remarks : Scarify seeds by filing or nicking them before soaking them in water for a short while.

Cyrtostachys renda

Cyrtostachys renda Blume 

Family Name:  Arecaceae (Palmae)

Synonyms:  Cyrtostachys lakka

Common Names: Sealing-wax Palm, Pinang Rajah, Maharajah Palm, Lipstick Palm, Red Sealing Wax

Life stage-characteristic

Plant Division : Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)

Plant Growth Form : Palm (Cluster Palm)

Lifespan (in Singapore) : Perennial

Mode of Nutrition : Autotrophic

Maximum Height :12 m

Description and ethnobotany

Plant Morphology 

Growth Form: A clumping palm, up to 12 m tall, with characteristically bright red leaf sheaths (each about 60 cm long) around the stems. Naturally growing in swamps and highly tolerant of flooding. Cultivated as an ornamental palm for its attractive bright red stems and leaf stalks.

Foliage: Leaves, measuring about 1.5 m long and 0.6 m wide, have bright red stalks and mid-ribs and are pinnate and alternately-arranged. Each leaf consists of leaflets that are boat-shaped, slightly grey on the underside and about 45 cm long and 4 cm wide.

Crown Shaft: Crown shaft is distinctively red in colour.

Flowers: Its branched flowering shoot is first green before turning to red, with two large spathes (modified leaves) that are 60 cm by 60 cm. Flowers are pollinated by bees.
Fruits: Its tiny one-seeded fruits are ellipsoidal in shape, 8-10 by 4-5 mm.

          Habitat : It grows near the sea, by tidal rivers, and in freshwater or peat swamp forests.

          Associated Fauna : Its flowers are pollinated by insects. The fruits are eaten by birds. It is the host-plant for the moth species Parasa lepida.

         Cultivation : Preferring rich loamy soil, that has to be kept moist as this palm is not drought-tolerant, quickly withering with water stress. Suitable for garden, parks and roadside planting. Also can be grown at the edges of ponds or reservoirs as it is tolerant of water-logged conditions. The outer wood of the stem is hard and used to make darts. This palm is also the symbol of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

          Etymology : Greek cyrtos, curved, Greek, stachys, spike, referring to the curved inflorescence, Ethnobotanical Uses .

          Others: The hard outer wood of the stem is used to make darts. This palm is the symbol of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Landscaping feature

Landscaping : 

Its bright scarlet leaf sheaths make this palm one of the most attractive of palms. It is an

ornamental palm suitable for gardens, parks, roadsides and around the edges of ponds and

water bodies.

Desirable Plant Features : 

Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Form.

Plant & Rootzone Preference/Tolerance : 

Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site; Does not Drain

 Site), Fertile Loamy Soils, Heavy Clay Soils.

Landscape Uses: 

General, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / 

 Screening, Riverine, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog, Focal Plant.

Fauna, pollination and dispersal

Associated Fauna : Bird-Attracting (Fruits), Caterpillar (Moth) Food Plant.

Pollination Method(s) : Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)).

Seed / Spore Dispersal :Biotic (Fauna)

Plant care and propagation

Light Preference : Full Sun, Semi-Shade.

Water Preference : Lots of Water, Moderate Water.

Propagation Method : Seed, Sucker, Division .

Strelitzia nicolai

    

Strelitzia nicolai

Common names

 White Bird-of-Paradise, Giant Bird-of-Paradise

Origin

Native of Natal Province, from East London northwards to Eastern Cape, Kwa Zulu, Mozambique towards Zimbabwe, South Africa.

Ecology

Blooming time

They may bloom most times of the year depending where you live. The flowers are about 500mm long. The main plant can grow as big as 10-12m high. It will throw out many suckers over the years. The leaf is very large; they are shiny and grey-green in colour, which can grow up to 2m in length. The sepals have blue petals and consist of five purplish blue sheaths. It is recommended that a larger garden is needed. It

really comes to life in a Sub-Tropical garden or a Balinese-Thai setting, creating a lush tropical effect. The root system can be aggressive so do not put it too close to fence lines and garden paths. It is also grown in pots for household and office decoration, as the large leaves are spectacular indoors.

Culture

Strelitzia Nicolai are quite fast growers in pots or outside in the open. They will take part shade - full sun. The Nicolai is just about drought tolerant, does not like severe frost, it will take temperatures down to 8c. It tolerates salty coastal winds and salt spray up to a point. Fertilise regularly with a balanced slow release fertiliser for indoor pots. Outside fertilising requires a good well balanced fertiliser.

Humidity

 Will cope with lower humidity levels prefers medium humidity.

Category

Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Height

15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)

Sun Exposure

Sun to Partial Shade

Bloom Color

Dark Blue

Dark Purple/Black

White/Near White

Water

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

Description

A crown of banana-like leaves atop a palm tree trunk, combined with huge, uniquely beautiful flowers, is deserving of the name, "Bird of Paradise tree." Related to the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia regina ), this close cousin is a much larger plant forming huge clumps of stems to 30 feet in comparison to S. regina's 3 to 4 feet height.

The 6 - 8' leaves are grey-green and arranged in fans atop the trunks. Plants form clumps of several variably-sized trunks that may grow to 18' in width under optimal conditions. The inflorescence are composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals and bluish-purple "tongue". The entire "bird" can be as large as 7" high by 18" long and is typically held just above the point where the leaf fan emerges from the trunk. Flowers are followed by triangular seed capsules.

The foliage on this plant will typically die back in areas with a hard frost, though the plant itself can be kept alive as far as zone 8a with a good mulch. With additional protection, you may be able to grow it in the ground even further north. Any time it dies back to the ground however, the plant basically has to restart its growth - so flowering is very unlikely this way. Only mature plants typically flower, so you must pot the plant up if you live above zone 9-10.

Uses

The interesting flowers are white with a dark blue tongue. White Bird-of-Paradise is ideal for entranceways for a dramatic effect or for use at poolside. Plants are not messy but ragged leaves should be periodically removed for a tidy appearance. This is a large plant and should be situated accordingly.

Tabebuia rosea

 

   Tabebuia rosea

Synonym

Tecoma rosea Bert.

Common names

(English) : Pink trumpet tree, Pink poui, Pink tecoma, Rosy trumpet tree, Basant ran  

 (Spanish) : macuelizo

Origin

Native to continental America

Ecology

Height: 60.00 to 90.00 feet

Spread: 30.00 to 50.00 feet

Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer

Bloom Description: Purplish-pink to white with yellow throat

Sun: Full sun

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Evergreen

Fruit: Showy

Altitude: Up to 1 200 m; Mean annual rainfall: 1 250- 2 500 mm; Mean annual temperature: 22-27 deg C. Soil type: T. rosea grows well in deep rich soil.

Description

Tabebuia rosea is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree up to 25 m high. Flowers purplish-pink to nearly white, up to 8 cm long. Fruit a linear dehiscent capsule containing many winged seeds. The generic name is after the Brazilian local name for Tabebuia serratifolia.

Propagation methods

Seed is produced in moderate quantity, and natural regeneration is found in the vicinity of seed bearers; cuttings root quickly. Established mostly by direct sowing and subsequent planting out to permanent sites when about 60 cm high. It can also be propagated by branch

cuttings. Germinating capacity is maintained for a very short time.

Tree Management

T. rosea is fast growing, especially when young. Trees withstand a limited amount of pruning but not pollarding. In Sri Lanka, early growth is faster than that of any other ornamental tree used in the country, reaching a height of over 9 m in about 3 years at Colombo. Where conditions are not favourable, bark-burst has been observed. The lifespan is about 50 years.

Germplasm Management

Seed storage behaviour is intermediate; seeds tolerate desiccation to 7.1% mc (99% germination), storage temperature of 5 deg. C; viability is maintained for 30 months in hermetic air-dry storage at 10 deg. C. There are about 42 000 seeds/kg.

Uses

Products

Timber: T. rosea yields an excellent timber.

Services

Ornamental: This is one of the most common and showy of the flowering trees of the New World tropics and sub-tropics.

Pometia pinnata

  Pometia pinnata

Synonyms

Dabanus acuminatus (Hook.f.) Kuntze

Dabanus pinnatus (Forst. & Forst.) Kuntze

Euphoria pometia Poir.

Irina alnifolia Blume

Irina glabra Blume

Irina tomentosa Blume

Irina tomentosa var. alnifolia (Blume) Miq.

Irina tomentosa forma cuspidata Blume

Nephelium acuminatum Hook.f.

Nephelium pinnatum (Forst. & Forst.) Cambess.

Pometia acuminata (Hook.f.) Radlk.

Pometia alnifolia (Blume) King

Pometia coriacea Radlk.

Pometia glabra (Blume) Teijsm. & Binn.

Pometia macrocarpa Kurz

Pometia pinnata forma acuminata (Hook.f.) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma alnifolia (Blume) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma cuspidata (Blume) jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma glabra (Blume) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma macrocarpa (Kurz) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma pinnata Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma repanda Jacobs

Pometia pinnata forma tomentosa (Blume) Jacobs

Pometia pinnata var. javanica Koord. & Valet.

Pometia tomentosa (Blume) Teijsm. & Binn.

Pometia tomentosa var. cuspidata (Blume) J.Britten

Common Names

English: Fijian longan, island lychee 

Spanish: longán de Fiji

Samoa: tava

Malaysia: kasai

Origin

Southeast Asia and Pacific islands.

Ecology

In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 700 m altitude. Often on alluvial sites and along or near rivers and streams, but also on hillsides. On sandy to clay soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Description

Large tree, reaching a height of 60-90 feet (18-27 m). Leaves compound, 12-36 inches (30-91 cm) long, with 4-12 pairs of leaflets. New leaves bright red. Small, bisexual, whitish flowers in terminal panicles 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) long. Fruits round to ellipsoid, with a thin peel that may be greenish to red or almost black when mature. The pulp is cream colored, juicy and sweet, and contains a single large seed.

Propagation and Culture

Propagated by seed, but superior selections could probably be propagated by grafting.

Fijian longan is a fast growing tree, and is found wild from sea level to an altitude of about 2,500 feet (762 m). Cultivated trees should be pruned regularly to facilitate fruit harvest. Fruiting occurs sporadically throughout the year, with the greatest production in December and January in the Northern Hemisphere.

Uses

The wood is used for construction, furniture,

flooring, etc. The wood is also used to produce charcoal. The bark and leaves are used to treat fever and sores. The leaves are used against rice-pests. The fruits are edible.

Plumeria rubra

Plumeria rubra

Synonyms

Plumeria acuminata

Plumeria acutifolia

Common name

 Melia

Pua melia

Templetree

Graveyard flower

Temple flower

Fragipani

Origin

Native to continental tropical America

Ecology

Height: 15.00 to 25.00 feet

Spread: 15.00 to 25.00 feet

Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer

Bloom Description: Pink to red

Sun: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium

Tolerate: Drought

Description

Plumeria rubra is a tree that grows in a “candelabrum” shape typical of Plumerias with a single trunk and multiple branches of a similar length that support an open spreading canopy.

This species grows from 0.9-5 meters tall.

Plumeria trees are partially deciduous therefore lose all of their leaves during long, dry periods. The leaves of Plumeria rubra are 10-42 cm long and 4-14 cm wide with the widest point at the center or tip of the leaf blade. In this species the tip of the leaves narrow to a sharp point in contrast to leaves of the other common species, Plumeria obtusa, which has more rounded leaf tips.

In Hawai`i, Plumeria rubra produces flowers before the leaves emerge at the beginning of summer and has a flowering peak from April through to September. The original trees introduced to Hawai`i had white flowers with yellow centers, however subsequently trees with red flowers have also been introduced. Breeding programs have crossed trees with different colored flowers to produce a wide range of color varieties of this species: red, pink, or white flowers can be seen with flowers frequently either a single color or with a yellow or pink splash of color in the center. The flowers produce nectar which has a strong lemon scent. The fruit of this species is a dry follicle which splits along one side to release many winged seeds.

Uses

A popular ornamental, particularly in tropical climates---often planted as a street tree. Plumeria is also a popular plant for container culture in colder areas.