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mangrove
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| coastal plants |
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teak Podocarpus polystachyus Family Podocarpaceae updated Nov 10 Where seen? These hardy pines with refreshingly bright green leaves are still found on the natural cliffs of Sentosa. But as suitable habitats are becoming increasingly rare, so too are the trees. According to Hsuan Keng, the tree is considered a species native to Singapore and found in Labrador, Kranji and other parts of the island, usually near the sea or at the back of mangroves. It was also recorded growing in gardens. According to Giersen, it is endemic to Southeast Asia and mainly found on sandy beaches where it is found in groups at the high water mark, as well as on coastal cliff, swampy forests, and back mangroves. Inland, it is found on limestone hills. Its Malay name is 'Jati bukit' which means 'hillside teak'. Features: A shrub or small tree (1-20m tall). The trunk is sometimes fluted and sometimes has buttress roots. Leaves long, narrow and pointed (3-10cm), bright green. The Sea teak is a conifer. That is, it produces seeds but no flowers. Instead, it has reproductive structures called cones or strobili. Female plants produce a highly modified cone. According to Corners, the ripe seed is a swollen part of the stalk about 1cm long. Male plants produce clusters of cream-coloured cones which shed whitish, powdery pollen. From Corners, the scientific name refers to 'many (poly) ears of corn (stachys)' which is what the male cones resemble. Human uses: According to Burkill, the timber is small but still used for house building, carts and various other uses. Indeed, the Malay name for the tree is Jati Laut (translating to Sea teak) as well as Setada or Sentada. Burkill notes that medicinal uses possibly ascribed to it include the use of the leaves as an alternative to treat rheumatism and painful joints. Status and threats: It is listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. With the loss of our natural coastal habitats and mangroves, this once common plant is also becoming increasingly rare. Joseph Lai has recently recorded Sea teak at Sisters Island, Lazarus Island, Pulau Jong and Pulau Sarimbun. It is also found in abundance on Sentosa's natural cliffs at the Tanjung Rimau natural shore. According to the Red Data Book, it is also found at St. John's Island. On the mainland, it is only found in the Sungei Mandai area. But the tree is now widely planted in many of our coastal parks. |
 Growing wild on a natural cliff. Sentosa, Apr 09  Sentosa, Apr 09 |
 Female cones Sentosa, Apr 09 |
 Swollen part is the 'seed'. Sentosa, Apr 09 |
 Ripe 'seed'. Labrador Park, Apr 09 |
 Male cones. Sentosa, Aug 07 |
 Sentosa, Apr 09 |
 Ripe 'seed'. Sentosa, Apr 10 |
 Labrador Park, Apr 09  Male cones. |
 Labrador Park, Apr 09  |
 Planted tree in a park. Labrador Park, Apr 09 |
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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