 |
|
|
plants text index | photo
index
|
| coastal plants |
| Gambir
laut or
Wild jasmine Clerodendrum inerme Family Verbenaceae updated Jan 13 Where seen? This small shrub with pretty whiskery flowers is sometimes seen among the shore vegetation and in back mangroves. According to Hsuan Keng, it is common near the sea in tidal mud including Rochore, Changi, Seletar and Pulau Ubin. According to Giesen, it is found along coasts including mangroves. Found from India to Sri Lanka, throughout Southeast Asia to southern China, Australia and Polynesia. Also known as Volkameria inermis. Features: A shrub (1-4m) with drooping stems (0.5-3m), sometimes a small tree (up to 10m). Stems woody and smooth. Leaves eye-shaped (1.5-4cm) thinly fleshy, smooth, arranged opposite one another. The underside has dark green dots. Flower trumpet-shaped (1.5-4cm long) white with long purple stamens, in clusters of 3 to 7 flowers joined at the base. Fruit round or egg-shaped (1cm), green ripening to black. The dry fruit then breaks into 4 lobes, each with a thick corky wall. Human uses: According to Giesen, the seeds and roots are used to treat poisoning from fish and other marine animals. The leaves are used to treat wounds, and fruits to dysentery. The leaves are used in an appetizer dish in Indonesia. |
 Lim Chu Kang, Apr 09 |
 Pulau Ubin, May 09 |
 Mandai, Mar 11 |
 Lim Chu Kang, Apr 09 |
Gambir
laut on Singapore shores
| Photos for free download from wildsingapore flickr |
|
Links
References
|
.
Singapore University Press. 222 pp..
|
|