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plants text index | photo
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| coastal plants |
| Rambut
putri Cassytha filiformis Family Lauraceae updated Aug 09 Where seen? This long hair-like plant is often seen draped on seaside shrubs and small trees. 'Rambut putri' means 'Hair of the Princess' in Malay. According to Giesen, It can sometimes smother the host so densely that the latter is scarcely visible. More rarely seen inland, for example in dwarf swamp forests. It is found on all tropical shores and common throughout Southeast Asia. Sometimes recognised as a separate family, the Cassythaceae. According to Hsuan Keng, it is common in open bushes by the sea including Changi. Features: A semi-parasitic plant, it has long thread-like stems (3-8m) that grows in a tangle on host plants. The thin smooth stems do not root, they attach to the host by suckers. They are hollow, cylindrical and dark green to reddish-or yellowish-brown. There are no visible leaves. The flowers are tiny (1.5-2mm). Fruits are small, round, juicy white berries (7mm) that are eaten and dispersed by birds. Human uses: According to Burkill, the dried, powdered stems are used in hair tonic. While it may not do any good, the use is possibly because the plant is hair-like and luxuriant. In India, it is used in cleaning ulcers and in an eye-wash. In Java, the pounded stems are used for intestinal ailments. According to Giersen, the plant is sometimes cultivated for its medicinal uses in parts of Indonesia. |
 Pulau Semakau, Dec 08  |
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 Pulau Hantu, Apr 09  |
 Admiralty Park, Apr 09  |
 Lazarus Island, Feb 11 |
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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