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| coastal plants |
| Mempari Pongamia pinnata Family Fabaceae updated Nov 10 Where seen? This beautiful tree was formerly common on the coast including Changi, Siglap, Jurong and Pulau Ubin. Elsewhere, the tree is found in non-swampy beaches and occasionally on the landward side of mangroves. It is also found in sandy or rocky coasts of Malaya. It is now planted in some of our beach parks and as a roadside tree. Features: The tree grows to 6-15m tall. The compound leaves appear in two rows, each heart-shaped leaflet is shiny, dark green and thinly leathery. The flowers look like those of bean plants, and are lilac, appearing in bunches on a stalk. Tiny insects seem attracted to the flowers. Fruits are flat bean-like pods that are somewhat oval with a little beak at the tip, appearing in bunches. Each pod contains one seed. Human uses: The leaves are fed to livestock. The bark is used to make string and rope. Although the seeds are poisonous, an oil extracted from them (called Pongamol or hongay oil) is used for lighting, to manufacture soap and candles, and in medicinal uses. The roots and seeds are used as a fish poison in Australia and Indonesia. Various parts of the trees are also used in traditional medicine.. According to Tomlinson and Giesen, the tree is often planted as a shade tree along roads, but Corners says it is rarely planted in Malaya. Status and threats: This tree is listed as 'Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. |
 Tree planted in a park. Changi, Apr 09 |
 Changi, Apr 09 |
 Changi, Apr 09 |
 Changi, Apr 09 |
 Changi, Apr 09  |
 Changi, Apr 09  |
 Changi, Apr 09  |
 Changi, May 09  |
 Changi, May 09  |
 Wild tree on coastal cliff. Changi, May 09 |
 Chek Jawa, Aug 09  |
 Chek Jawa, Aug 09  |
 Possibly planted, not sure. Chek Jawa, Aug 09 |
 St. John's Island, Aug 09 |
 Planted tree. |
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 Planted tree. East Coast Park, Jul 10 |
 Flowers.  |
 Flowers.  |
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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