media factsheet - national parks board · 2015-04-02 · tanjong rhu was named after the “pokok...

Updated as of 4 April 2015

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Information accurate as of 4 April 2015.

MEDIA FACTSHEET Streets of Singapore “Streets of Singapore” is a one kilometre stretch at HortPark which will showcase 16 different species of trees that are associated with road names. As one of NParks’ initiatives to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday, it will enable Singaporeans to learn more about trees along our streetscape and relate them to familiar road names. The trees that will be planted along this stretch include the Keranji tree (Dialium indum), Tempines tree (Streblus elongatus) and Changi tree (Sindora wallichii). The showcase will also include rare species that are not commonly found or planted in Singapore such as the Sembawang tree (Mesua ferruginea) and Wild Yellow Kandis (Garcinia parvifolia). Minister of State for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, planted a Keranji tree to kickstart “Streets of Singapore” on 4 April 2015. The public will have the opportunity to view “Streets of Singapore” during the Community Garden Festival at HortPark in September 2015. Guide to the trees in “Streets of Singapore”

1

Keranji (Dialium indum) The Keranji is a tall, tropical fruit-bearing tree that can grow up to 40m. It has small, grape-sized edible fruits with brown hard inedible shells. The bark and leaves have medicinal properties and are used to treat several diseases. Kranji Road got its name from this local tree, the Kranji or Keranji tree, which was found in abundance all over Singapore in the first half of the 19th century. Associated Street: Kranji Photo credit: National Parks Board




2

Katong Laut (Cynometra ramiflora) The leaves of this tree are pale pink when new and turn dark green with maturity. The dark-brown, heavy and hard timber is used to make door-posts or used in construction locally. Associated Street: Katong Photo credit: National Parks Board

3

Sembawang (Mesua ferruginea) This tree grows along streams and flowing rivers in forests in its natural habitat. The flowers are pollinated by insects. Sembawang area is named after this tree. Associated Street: Sembawang Photo credit: National Parks Board




4

Tempines Tree (Streblus elongatus) It is a big, bushy evergreen tree that grows to about 12m and can reach 30m in the forest. Ripe fruits of the tree are sweet and eaten by squirrels and monkeys. It has a dark brown heart wood that is very durable and is used to make flooring and furniture. Tampines town is named after this tree probably due to the abundance of this tree species at that area in the past. Associated Street: Tampines Photo credit: National Parks Board

5

False Lime (Suregada multiflora) This small tree has a dense, compact and conical form and is native to Singapore’s coastal areas. Its flowers are small and form clusters. “Limau” is the Malay word for lime. The fruits resemble small limes hence the name False Lime or Merlimau (‘mer’ means similar to). The fruit turns orange and splits open when ripe. Associated Street: Jalan Merlimau Photo credit: National Parks Board




6

Tembusu (Cyrtophyllum fragrans) Its flowers are cream-white which turn yellow, and fragrant. The fruits and seeds are eaten and dispersed by bats and birds. The hard wood of the Tembusu is often used to make chopping boards. The famous Tembusu Heritage Tree in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is featured on the back of the Singapore five-dollar note. Associated Street: Jalan Tembusu Photo credit: National Parks Board

7

Sepetir (Sindora wallichii) This large tree, which belongs to the bean family, has a massive crown when matured. The distinct characteristic of this species are the disc-shaped spiny pods. This species is widely known as the Changi tree. It has been said that there was a tall and majestic tree at Changi that once stood as a landmark in this area. It was also featured on pre-war navigational charts for over a century. The British cut down this tree in 1942 (during WWII) after they discovered that the Japanese used the tree as a marker to aim their guns. Associated Street: Changi Photo credit: National Parks Board




8

Paper Bark (Melaleuca cajuputi) This native tree bears tiny, white to creamy-yellow flowers borne on a long spike in the shape of a bottle-brush. In Malay, "putih", which means white, refers to the white papery bark which may peel off in large flakes like sheets of paper. This species was commonly found in the area in the past. The leaves are used to distill cajeputi oil or tea tree oil which has medicinal and antiseptic uses such as medical ointments. The timber is hard and has a uniform texture and is popular for use in carving, cabinet work, boat building and fire wood. Associated Street: Kampong Glam Photo credit: National Parks Board




9

Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia) It grows along sandy coasts and coastal forests. The wood of this tree is extremely hard and dense, and has been used for construction of stilts, poles and fences in coastal areas. It is also an excellent fuel wood and is among the hottest burning fuel woods in the world. It is also frequently planted as a windbreak and to stabilise coastal sand dunes. This species was grown along the beach. Thus, Tanjong Rhu was named after the “pokok rhu”, the Malay name for Casuarina equisetifolia. Associated Street: Tanjung Rhu Road Photo credit: National Parks Board

10

Wild Yellow Kandis (Garcinia parvifolia) Garcinia parvifolia belongs to the same family as the mangosteen. Its fruits are edible but sour. The fruits are very popular in Brunei, where it is commonly gathered from the wild. The tree is also cultivated, mainly in gardens and especially in South East Asia, as a fruit crop. Its strong timber is used for constructing houses. Associated Street: Jalan Kandis Photo credit: National Parks Board




11

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) Tamarind is a slow-growing tree which can attain a height of 30m in the wild. The flowers, leaves, seedlings and pulp of the ripe fruits are edible. The fruit pulp is used in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking to achieve a sour taste. It is also an essential ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. Associated Street: Tamarind Road Photo credit: National Parks Board




12

Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale) The Cashew Nut is a medium-sized tree, spreading, evergreen, and grows to a height of 12m. This species do well in drier climates so they are drought tolerant. It is cultivated for its nuts, which is a highly nutritive snack. Associated Street(s): Cashew Crescent/ Link/ Road/ Terrace Photo credit: National Parks Board

13

Saraca (Saraca thaipingensis) Young leaves of this tree are cream coloured and hang from the branches for a few days before they turn green. Its attractive flowers are produced from branches and trunks in clusters. Associated Street(s): Saraca Drive/ Hill/ Place/ Road/ Terrace/ View/ Walk Photo credit: National Parks Board




14

Cassia (Cassia fistula) The tree is planted throughout the tropics for its ornamental and medicinal properties. In full bloom, the bright yellow flowers are produced in long pendulous clusters, 30 to 50cm in length, which are attractive to insects and butterflies. Associated Street(s): Cassia Crescent, Cassia Drive, Cassia Link Photo credit: National Parks Board

15

Kasai (Pometia pinnata) The dense foliage of this tree provides good shade and the wood can be used for construction, furniture and flooring. The fruit is edible and hard to define, with a taste between lychee and rambutan fruit. Associated Street: Kasai Road Photo credit: National Parks Board




16

Langsat (Lansium domesticum) Lansium domesticum is a short-trunked tree with a spreading crown that can reach 10 to 15 m in height. Its fruits are edible and have a flavour reminiscent of sweet grapefruit. A decoction of the bark or leaves is used to treat dysentery and the bark is also used for scorpion stings. Associated Street: Langsat Road Photo credit: National Parks Board

Reference Savage, Victor R, and Brenda S. A Yeoh. (2013). Singapore Street Names: A Study of Toponymics. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.

media factsheet - national parks board · 2015-04-02 · tanjong rhu was named after the “pokok...

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