Khaya senegalensis

Khaya senegalensis which is also known as African mahogany is native to Tropical West Africa and from the family Meliaceae.

This large and tall tree is semi-deciduous. With a large rounded bushy dark green crown, it reaches a height of 30m.

The compound leaves are alternate and are about 50-70cm long. Each compound leaf consists of 3-7 leaflets. The leaflets are usually in opposite pairs, oblong in shape, at about 4-12cm in length and 2-5 cm in width. They are dark green and glossy on the upper side and light green on the underside.

The flowers are very small they measure up to less than 1cm in width and are pollinated by insects. Born in clusters known as lax (loosely arranged parts), they are pale white or cream in colour. Each flower has 5 small petals and measure about 4mm in length and 2.5mm in width. This tree flowers irregularly in Singapore, possibly because flowering is triggered by the onset of the rainy season in its native habitat, but there is no distinct rainy season in Singapore.

The fruit is an upright, almost spherical, woody capsule. It measures from 4-6 cm in diameter, opening by 4 valves from the apex (pointed end of an object). The fruit colour changes from grey to black as it ripens and begins to bear seeds once the tree reaches 20 to 25 years old.

The seeds have brown wings at two ends that are arranged horizontally. Each fruit contains numerous seeds from 6 or more per cell. They are flat and oval, about 25mm in length and 18mm in width.

The Khaya is one of the hardest African mahoganies and the hardest of the Khaya species. Because of its decorative appearance, the wood is a very popular timber, sapwood is pinkish-tan in colour while the heartwood an attractive dark red-brown. The seeds and leaves are used for treating fever and headache.

Tabebuia rosea

Tabebuia rosea, common known as Trumpet Tree is native from Mexico to Venezuela. It is from the family Bignoniaceae.

Reaching a height of 35m, this medium to big tree which has a broadly conical and shady crown is deciduous.

Its leaves are oppositely arranged, palmately compound with 5 leaflets on each stalk. Each leaflet is about 5 - 22 cm in length and 2 - 11 cm in width. Frequently, leaves in the upper part of the tree crown fall earlier than those in the lower part.

The tree’s name comes from its large trumpet-shaped flowers, which ranges in colour from pink to white. The 5 petal flowers that measures 5 - 8 cm in length, are large and showy. The flowering of the Tabebuia is induced by a dry period, which is the period in April and August in Singapore. Blooms last for several days then wilt.

When they flowers fall, they retain their colour for a couple of days, forming a beautiful carpet of flowers around the tree. Pollination occurs probably by insects, although the flowers are visited by many birds such as tanagers, hummingbirds and orioles.

The fruits yellowish-golden in colour are elongated pods, which split open to released winged seeds. It is about 35cm in length. 

Seeds have winged features and are dispersed by wind. 

Bark is found to be anti-cancer.

Timber can be used for construction and furniture. Tea made from the leaves and bark is known to have a fever-reducing effect.

Alstonia scholaris

Alstonia scholaris, or commonly known as devil tree is native to Indochina and is part of the family Apocynaceae.

 

The medium to large size tree reaches a height of 40m in its native habitat, however in urban areas it has only managed to reach half the height. The pagoda shape crown is filled with its leathery leaves.

Glossy, dark green on the upper side and paler greyish-green on the underside, they measure about 8-22cm long and are arranged in whorls of 4-8 leaflets.

Flowers are small, creamy-greenish white and are twisted like propellers. Individual flowers are lightly-scented, but when the whole tree blooms, it emits a strong heady fragrance. It has a rich source of nectar and is pollinated by insects like various types of butterflies and bees, which often surround flowering trees.

The fruits are skinny and long at 30-60cm in length and 3-5mm wide. They are produced in hanging pairs, ripening from green to brown. Seeds are numerous, small, flat, tufted at ends, and dispersed by wind.

The species name ‘Scholaris’ refers to the fact that the timber of this tree has traditionally been used to make wooden slates for school children. The wood of the Alstonia is too soft for making anything, thus it is usually used in making packing boxes, blackboards etc. Its bark, known as Dita Bark, is used in traditional medicine to treat fever. On the Western Ghats, tribal people are reluctant to sit or pass under this tree, for the fear of the devil.

Samanea saman

Samanea saman, more commonly known as the Rain Tree is from the Fabaceae family. It is native to Northern South America.

The medium sized tree with its distinct umbrella shaped crown is capable of reaching a height of 20m.

The bipinnate leaves of the rain tree are arranged alternately. Measuring 2-4 cm in length and 1-2 cm in width, each leaflet is shiny green above and of a lighter green with fine hair on the underside. The leaflets are light sensitive and hence close in the evening and on cloudy days, thus the name Rain Tree

The tiny flower strands are grouped together in pink and white. The cluster grows up to 5-6cm across and 4cm in height. On a whole, the cluster appears to be like a powder puff or feather duster. The flowers of the rain tree are usually pollinated by bees.

The mature seed pots are brownish-black in colour. It is lumpy and longish at about 10-20cm long. Straight or slightly curved, it cracks irregularly. Inside the legume is a sticky brownish pulp that is sweet and edible. Seeds are rounded, about 8–11.5 mm long, and 5–7.5 mm wide. It is slightly flattened from side to side, smooth and dark glossy brown. There are 15–20 seeds per pod.

There is a large Rain Tree at Singapore Botanical Gardens. Having a girth of 5m and standing at 32m tall, it is one of Singapore’s very own heritage tree.

Diospyros blancoi

Diospyros blancoi, or also known Butter Fruit, Velvet Persimmon, Mabola and Velvet Apple, originated Philippines. It belongs to the plant family of Ebenaceae.

An evergreen tree that grows up to 35 metres with black and furrowed trunk; it has dark-green leaves that are smooth on the upper surface and hairy underneath. New leaves are showy, pale-green or pink and silky-hairy. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees as Diospyros blancoi is a dioecious plant species. Its creamy white and fragrant inflorescence has four petals each, in clusters of 0.5 cm in diameter flowers for male and 1 cm in diameter for female. Fruiting occurs two to four months after flowering, each of 5-10 cm wide with velvety and brownish-orange skin which emanates a cheese-like odor.

The fruit’s flesh is used in meat dishes and desserts (jellies and salads etc.). The bark is utilized for handicrafts and furniture, especially for carvings. The tree is also cultivated for beliefs in its medicinal properties; its leaves and bark treat coughs, fevers, diarrhea, skin ailments, heart problems and wounds. Its fruit is a good source of vitamins A, C, and minerals.

Look out for them at the Canoe Shed.

Pictures

 (Diospyros blancoi found near the canoe shed)

(brownish-orange skin fruit)

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Lagerstroemia speciosa, or also known Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen's Crape-myrtle, Banaba Plant and Pride of India, originated from South East Asia, India and the Philippines. It belongs to the plant family of Lynthraceae.

A deciduous tropical flowering tree that grows up to 20 m tall, with smooth, flaky bark; its leathery leaves are elliptic/oval and about 8-15 cm long. Its inflorescence is panicles of pink and magenta flowers, each with six petals and a yellow center of stamens.  The fruit is oval, about one inch long which is dry at maturity and splits open to release small winged seeds.

Its bark is commercially used and is a valuable timber. A decoction of its dried leaves and fruits is therapeutic against ailments such as diabetes, cholesterol deduction, hypertension kidney- and urinary problems. The taste is pleasant and smooth; in Japan it is known as "slimming tea." Its fresh leaves are also an essential component for emergency tincture of wounds and for sanitizing the surface of the skin. The roots are used for stomach problems and as an astringent.

The information provided above is not intended to be used as a guide for treatment of medical conditions using plants.

Look out for them near the Zig-Zag Point.

Pictures 

 (Lagerstroemia speciosa found near the Zig-Zag Point)

 (Flaky bark)

 (Panicles of pink and magenta flowers)

 (Flower buds)

Saraca cauliflora

Saraca cauliflora, or also known as S. Thaipinensis, Yellow Saraca, Talan and Gapis, originated from Myanmar, Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia (Java) and much of Southeastern Asia. It belongs to the plant family of Fabaceae (Leguminosae).

Saraca cauliflora’s inflorescence consists of clusters of tiny yellow flowers with protruding stamens and pistil and has a habit of flowering on the trunk and branches, fragrant in the evening. A cluster can be up to a foot in diameter. New leaves are soft and in pale pink that slowly stiffen to green. This evergreen tree can grow up to 8 meters with a rounded canopy. It strives in partial to full sun with moderate amount of water.

Look out for them at the Canoe Shed.

Pictures 

(Saraca cauliflora found near the canoe shed)

 (Clusters of yellow inflorescence)

 (The buds before forming into flowers)