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plants text index | photo
index
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| mangroves | Xylocarpus in general |
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Nyireh Xylocarpus rumphii Family Meliaceae updated Aug 09 Where seen? This rare tree is found on our natural rocky shores at St. John's Island and Sentosa. According to Hsuan Keng, it has been recorded on rocky coasts of Singapore. Features: A tall tree (8-10m). Leaves are oval to nearly heart-shaped with prominent veins. The young fruits are small and appear in clusters. Unripe fruits are shiny green, turning brown and splitting when ripe to release 5-20 seeds. The seeds are irregularly angular. The bark is fissured and the tree doesn't have specialised roots (no buttress roots or pneumatophores). The roots clasp the boulders and rocks on the rocky shore. Human uses: According to Giesen, among its uses are the wood for handles of traditional knives (kris) and in building boats, the bark for tanning and dyeing cloth. The seeds are used to treat stomachache. Status and threats: The tree is listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. |
 Sentosa, Apr 09 |
 Sentosa, Apr 09  |
 St. John's Island, Feb 11  |
 St. John's Island, Feb 11 |
 Sentosa, Mar 10  |
 Sentosa, Mar 10  |
 Sentosa, Apr 09 |
more photos of Nyireh on Singapore shores
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Links
References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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