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| plants text index | photo index |
| mangroves |
| Nyireh Xylocarpus sp. Family Meliaceae updated Jan 2013 Where seen? The handsome Mangrove cannon-ball tree (Xylocarpus granatum) is still commonly seen in our mangroves. But other Xylocarpus species are not as frequently encountered. Features: Generally trees, the different species have tiny flowers that appear rather similar. The species are best distinguished by where they are growing, and structures of the leaves, bark, roots and fruits. Status and threats: Xylocarpus moluccensis is listed as 'Endangered', while Xylocarpus rumphii is listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. |
 Pulau Semakau, Jan 09 |
| Nyireh on Singapore shores |
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Nyireh
bunga
Xylocarpus granatum |
Nyireh
batu
Xylocarpus moluccensis |
Nyireh
laut
Xylocarpus rumphii |
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Found
on sandy shores near mangroves as well as in the back mangroves.
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Usually
found on sandy shores near mangroves.
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Usually
found on rocky shores, under natural cliffs.
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Fruit
globular and large
(10-25cm in diameter) |
Fruit
elliptical
(8-12cm in diameter). |
Fruits
small.
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Leaflets
spoon-shaped,
with rounded tips. |
Leaflets
eye-shaped,
with pointed tips. |
Leaflets
almost heart-shaped, with prominent pale veins.
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Bark
smooth, flaking off in patches.
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Bark
with longitudinal fissures.
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Bark
with longitudinal fissures.
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Well-developed
buttresses forming narrow ribbon-like undulations extending away
from the trunk.
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Small
or no buttress roots,
many peg-shaped pneumatophores (blunt-tipped, nearly cylindrical) |
No
specialised roots.
Roots usually cling to boulders on the rocky shore. |
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| Flowers of the Xylocarpus species appear similar |
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Links
References
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