KNOW YOUR DILLENIA

A wild and wacky introduction to the flora of

Singapore
Jun 2009
Compiled and edited by Dikee Ho
This compilation of notes is not an original written from scratch…however it is
probably the best compilation of notes there is on Singapore plants at this moment.
Simple reason being that it was originally compiled for my own use and
consumption.

I have always been interested in the plants that I encounter during my treks in
Singapore. However when I wanted to find out more information on trees and
plants, I discover that there is no one individual book in the market that I could use
and be truly happy with. There were snippets of interesting information all over the
place, contained across a wide variety of sources. So, through the years, I have
compiled all these information in one place, and there lies the humble beginning of
this compilation.

Happy dillenia…ing.

Dikee
 “How to remember so many plants?”
Nothing beats interest. Without that, no amount of books, courses, training or
teaching will make you remember them.
Be interactive. The best way to know plants is to get INTIMATE with them. Don’t learn
plants from just looking at pictures. Get out there to see them, touch them, feel
them, stroke them, smell them and if possible, munch on them….. you never forget
what you eat.
Start small. Attempting to remember 50 plants at one go will make you potty. Start
with your first plant, learn how to identify it distinctly and whenever possible,
associate an interesting fact with it. When you first get to see it, go ahead and touch
it, smell it, feel the texture of its leaves, flower, fruits … After that, whenever possible,
try to spot it everywhere you go.
You will be surprise at how suddenly this plant will keep on appearing everywhere.

Than, move on to your next

plant…and next…and next…and
next…and before you know it, you
would find yourself to be a
‘sensei’ of plants.

Eurycoma Longifolia or Tongkat Ali tree

Following is a selection of plants commonly encountered when trekking in
Singapore and the write-ups provided.

ACACIA Acacia Auriculiformis

AFRICAN TULIP Spathodea campunalata

ALBIZZIA FALCATARIA Leguminosae

BIRD’S NEST FERN Asplenium Nidus

CURRY LEAF TREE Murraya Koenigil

FIG Ficus Spp.

FISHTAIL PALM Caryota Mitis

HAIRY CLIDEMIA Clidemia Hirta

HELICONIA Heliconia Spp

JACKFRUIT Artocarpus Heterophyllus

LANTANA Lantane Camara

RAIN TREE Samanea Saman

RATTAN Daemonorops Oblonga

RESAM Dicranopteris Linearis

SEA ALMOND Terminalia Catappa

SIMPOH AIR Dillenia Suffruticosa

SINGAPORE RHODODENDRON Melastoma Malabathricum

TAPIOCA Manihot Esculenta

TEMBUSU Fagraea Fragrans

WILD CINNAMON Cinnamomum Iners.

WILD PEPPER Piper Sarmentosum

WILD WATERMELON Passiflora Foetida

Fruit of the Noni Plant

 CHECK OUT THESE PLANT BOOKS

Growing At Your Doorstep (35 Native Plants of Singapore) – Hugh Tan & Chua
Keng Soon

The Exotic Fruits of Malaysia – N Sahadevan

Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Trees – Paola Lanzara & Mariella Pizzetti

Trees Commonly Cultivated in Southeast Asia – Michael Jensen

Singapore Trees – A N Rao & Y C Wee

A guide to Toxic Plants of Singapore – Singapore Science Centre

A guide to the Wildflowers of Singapore – Singapore Science Centre

A guide to Common Vegetables – Singapore Science Centre

Plants and Flower of Singapore – Ivan Polunin

Plants and Flower of Malaysia – Ivan Polunin

Tropical Vegetables of Malaysia & Singapore – Wendy Hutton

Tropical Fruit – Desmond Tate

The City and the Forest (Plant Life in Urban Singapore) – Wee Yeow Chin &
Richard Corlett

Guide To Wild Foods & Useful Plants – Christopher Nyerges

What’s That Tree – David H Engel / Suchart Phummai

Tropical Plants of Malaysia & Singapore – Elisabeth Chan

CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION

~ http://www.wildsingapore.com/links.htm

~ http://www.wildsingapore.com/

~ http://www.simplygreen.com.sg/main.html

~ http://www.rain-tree.com/

~ http://www.theoutdoorlodge.com/survival/edible_and_medicinal_plants.html

And YES, I also do the following:

KNOW YOUR DILLENIA TREK

This trek introduces participants to the wonderful flora of Singapore. Suitable for all who have always been wanting to
find out more about nature in Singapore, participants get an interactive introduction to the various native plants of
Singapore. We will try to select location that encompasses jungle, secondary forest, grasslands as well as mangrove
forests. Participants can expect a 3 ~ 4 hour leisurely trek trying to locate various types of plants themselves under the
eyes of an experienced guide. “ KNOW YOUR DILLENIA” notes may be given to participants and they will be required to
locate the various plants that are listed inside. Upon locating the plant, participants may be asked to taste, feel or
even make use of the plant in imaginative manner. This interaction is important to make a lasting impression on the
trekkers. A sampler of what are the interesting tales & activities to be expected includes:

Why is the Simpoh Air known by the obnoxious name of CB Leaf ? What has the Singapore rhododendron have in
common with the Poh Chai pill? Do you know what the yellow robe of Thai monks have in common with the jackfruit
tree? Ever wonder how the fig tree gets pollinated? Banyan Tree may be a club but it is also a revered plant ….why?
Ever tasted the wild pepper leaf & what has otah got to do with it? Make a necklace out of Job’s Tears for your loved
ones ? Taste the hog plum if you can figure out how to get it down from the tree ? Heard all this hype about Noni
juice…why don’t you get a taste of the real fruit ?