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| mangroves |
| Ipil Intsia bijuga Family Fabaceae updated Mar 11 Where seen? This tree is sometimes seen in our back mangroves. According to Hsuan Keng, it was commonly found along the sea coast including Changi and Kranji. According to Corners, it is common and found along the coasts, mangroves and river banks within tidal and brackish reaches. According to Giesen, it is also often found on coral. It was also known as Afzelia bijuga and Afzelia retusa. Features: A tree up to 40m tall. Pinnate leaves with leaflets in one or less commonly two, pairs opposite to one another, no terminal leaflet. Leaflets oval (10-12cm long) leathery, the tree may drop off all its leaves at the same time (deciduous). Flowers in dense bunches (5-18cm long) at the tips of branches. The flower has a single petal which is at first white but turning red or orange. Pods oblong (20cm long), woody, slightly flat. Contains several seeds. Bark light grey, slightly scaly in large, thin roundish pieces, slightly pimply with lenticels (bumps), buttress roots. Human uses: According to Giesen, it produces very hard, good quality timber which does not shrink or warp and is resistant to insects and weather. The timber is used for making houses, house posts and bridges. The timber is called 'merbau' and the tree is sometimes called 'Merbau ipil'. The bark and leaves are used to treat diarrhoea. Seeds can be eaten after they fried, soaked for 3-4 days, then boiled. Status and threats: It is listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. |
 Admiralty Park, Mar 11 |
 Admiralty Park, Mar 11 
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 Admiralty Park, Mar 11 
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 Admiralty Park, Jan 11 |
 Mandai, Mar 11 |
 Mandai, Mar 11 |
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 215 pp.|
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