mangroves
Kempudang baran
Cassine viburnifolia

Family Celastraceae

updated Aug 09
Where seen? This very rare plant can be seen from the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve mangrove boardwalk. According to Hsuan Keng, it was found on sandy beaches including Kranji, Katong and Pulau Brani. Elsewhere it is also uncommon or rare, and was found in wet coastal communities and has been recorded in mangroves, back mangroves and along tidal rivers. From the Andaman Islands through the Malay Peninsula to northern Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi. It was known as Elaeodendron subrotundum.

Features: A shrub or small tree (to 8m tall).
Leaves (5-7cm) with wavy margins, arranged opposite one another. Flowers tiny (less than 1cm), in clusters. Fruit (about 1cm) with one seed, ripening yellow. The corky berry is adapted to water dispersal.

Human uses: According to Giersen, the husk of the fruit is said to be used to stupefy fish. It is also used as firewood.

Status and threats: This plant is listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. It is threatened by habitat loss and oil spills.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Aug 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Aug 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Aug 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Aug 09


Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Aug 09


Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Feb 09

Leaf with wavy margins.


Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Sep 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Sep 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Sep 09


Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Sep 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Sep 09

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Sep 09


Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Mar 11

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Mar 11

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Mar 11

Links

  • Giesen, Wim and Stephan Wulffraat, Max Zieren and Liesbeth Scholten. 2006. Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia (PDF online downloadable). RAP publication 2006/07 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok.

References

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