 |
|
|
plants text index | photo
index
|
| coastal plants |
| Merambong
or Sea
lettuce Scaevola taccada Family Goodeniaceae updated Nov 10 Where seen? This bush with fleshy green leaves and a 'split' flower is often seen on our natural shores. Elsewhere, it is found on beaches and sand dunes, and in mangroves only in sandy, well-drained areas. It is considered among the most common seashore shrubs in our part of the world. It has also been introduced to the New World. Previously known as S. frutescens and S. sericea. It is also called 'Ambong-ambong'. Features: A shrub that can grow to a small tree to 3m tall. Leaves thick and succulent (15-25cm long) hairy on the underside, arranged in a spiral. Flowers (about 2cm) distinctive with the style curving over the split petals, emerging in clusters. Petals white, but sometimes with violet stripes. Fruit small (1-1.5cm) fleshy, green with 1-2 corky seeds, turning white when ripe. According to Giersen, large bees pollinate the flowers, although self-pollination also seems to occur. The fruits float in the sea and may be dispersed by water, as well as by birds. The plant can form extensive colonies by underground branching of its stems. Human uses: According to Corners, the leaves are bitter and "scarcely edible" but the juice of the fruits are soothing and refreshing for inflamed eyes. The large pith of the young twigs are sometimes used by Malays to cut into fancy flowers and other objects. According to Burkill, medicinal uses including the bitter leaves in indigestion, pith for diarrhoea, poultice of leaves for headaches and on swollen legs, juice of berries for sore eyes. According to Wee, in Indonesia the roots are used as an antidote to eating poisonous fish and crabs. According to Giersen, the wood is resistant to sea water but found in small quantities so it is used for making nails for canoes. |
 Pulau Semakau, Jan 09  Pulau Semakau, Mar 09  Flower is 'split'. |
 Pulau Semakau, Jan 09 |
 |
 Fruit ripens to white. |
 Pulau Semakau, Mar 09 |
 Sometimes with violet markings. |
 |
 Sentosa, Jul 11 |
 Sentosa, Jul 11 |
 Sentosa, Jul 11 |
|
Links
References
|
.
Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
|