Critically Endangered Plants I Have Found

This blog post serves mainly as a record of the critically endangered plants I discovered during my various exploratory trips, and actions I have done to ensure that they are protected.

1. Xylocarpus rumphii at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
I spotted 2 mature and 1 young Xylocarpus rumphii at Sungei Buloh in 2009. Initially I had thought that they were common enough, until I was informed by Jean Yong that he had previously only found 1 young plant there. I managed to find this other young plant Jean spotted previously as well eventually. Unfortunately, one of the mature trees was chopped down by NParks contractors who were clearing the area to plant some other endangered species, which left me rather shocked that they did not send anyone to check for rare plants before they clear an area (or perhaps they did but no one can recognise it).

After this incident, I decided to inform NParks the locations of the critically endangered plants I came across just to ensure that they get the necessary protection. In this case, I eventually informed NParks staff, Hui Ping, the location of the remaining plants, and she had tagged the plants to ensure that they won't be removed unintentionally.

2. Merope angulata along boardwalk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Found 2 young Merope angulata growing near the boardwalk in 2010, and have informed the NParks staff, Hui Ping, of the location.

3. Intsia bijuga near boardwalk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Found 2 Intsia bijuga growing near the boardwalk in 2010, and have informed the NParks staff, Hui Ping, of the location.

4. Sonneratia caseolaris at Kranji
Found a huge Sonneratia caseolaris near the back mangrove at Kranji Nature Trail in late 2010, and showed it to Brandon Chia who was with me. Brandon eventually showed the plant to other nature lovers, who in turn informed NParks.

5. Merope angulata at Kranji
Found a huge patch of Merope angulata with at least 20 mature plants at Kranji Nature Trail at the back mangrove in 2011. Have taken the GPS and given it to NParks staff, Hui Ping.

6. Intsia bijuga at Kranji
Found 1 Intsia bijuga along the main trail, and several at the back mangrove in 2011. Have taken the GPS and given it to NParks staff, Hui Ping.

7. Aegiceras corniculatum at Kranji
Found several Aegiceras corniculatum at Kranji in 2011. Have brought NParks staff, Hui Ping, to search for them and got the GPS for a few. Found several more recently, and have spoken to the Assistant Director, Sharon Chan, about the find.

8. Smythea lanceata at Kranji
Found 1 Smythea lanceata at the back mangrove in 2011. Have taken the GPS and a sample, and given them to NParks staff, Hui Ping.

9. Caesalpinia bonduc at Punggol
Found 1 Caesalpinia bonduc at Punggol, which was chopped down by NParks contractors about the same time I informed NParks staff, Shufen. Fortunately, the plant was very hardy and regenerated very well. NParks had since done a few cuttings and several were planted at HortParks.

9. Xylocarpus rumphii at Semakau
Found 1 young plant in 2011 while doing a survey with Siyang and his colleagues. We have since written a paper on the flora of Semakau.

10. Cynometra ramiflora at Semakau
Found several plants in 2011 while doing a survey with Siyang and his colleagues. We have since written a paper on the flora of Semakau.

11. Smythea lanceata at Semakau
Was already recorded in previous surveys, but we found a few and now knows the location during a survey in 2011 with Siyang and his colleagues. I have no idea what it was when we spotted it. The identity was later confirmed the Botanic Gardens.

12. Tacca leontopetaloides at Semakau
Was already recorded in previous surveys, but I found a location with a huge population in 2011 and informed NParks staff, Shufen. NParks had sent a staff to collect some samples and cuttings for propagation.

13. Intsia bijuga at Seletar
Found 1 tree in 2011, and have blogged about it. Unfortunately, this area is not managed by NParks.

14. Intsia bijuga at Mandai
Found several plants there in 2009 and 2010 and have blogged about it. Unfortunately, this area is not managed by NParks. Have sent Siva the GPS in case they need the info for submissions to protect the area.

15. Merope angulata at Mandai
Found many plants there in 2009 and have blogged about it. Unfortunately, this area is not managed by NParks. Have sent Siva the GPS in case they need the info for submissions to protect the area.

16. Finlaysonia obovata at various locations
While this plant is stated to be critically endangered, I have seen too many of them at various locations, and hence I just blogged about them but did not inform the authorities.

17. Sonnertia ovata at various locations
While this plant is stated to be critically endangered, I have seen too many of them at various locations, and hence I just blogged about them but did not inform the authorities.

18. Gymnanthera oblonga at Semakau
Found 1 plant during a survey in 2008, but unfortunately the students lost the specimen and I was not able to locate the plant again.

19. Gymnanthera oblonga at Pasir Ris
Saw several plants at Pasir Ris Park in 2011, but the area is not understand the conservation division of NParks. Understand that there are a number of plant experts there, so I have only blogged about it.

20. Xylocarpus rumphii at Sentosa
Most people are aware of 2 huge trees at Tanjong Rimau, but I wonder if any are aware of a much smaller one further away. Spotted this in 2007.

21. Sonneratia caseolaris at Berlayar Creek
Spotted 1 tall tree in 2012, and had informed NParks staff, Shufen and Benjamin, about it. Will be going back to check for fireflies at night...

Sea Holly (Acanthus spp.)

Singapore has 3 species of Sea Hollies (Acanthus spp.) from the family Acanthaceae in our mangrove forests - Acanthus volubilis, Acanthus ebracteatus and Acanthus ilicifolius. The former 2 have the status of "vulnerable" while A. ilicifolius is a common species.

They generally occur along tidal rivers, in the mangrove forest or nearby, especially in areas with freshwater inputs or on mud lobster mounds.


Acanthus volubilis occurs as a bush-like, sprawling herb, or when there are other taller structures around, as a climber.


It has simple opposite leaves that has pointed tips when they are growing in areas exposed to the sun, but become more rounded when they are growing in the shade. The flowers are white.


Acanthus ilicifolius and Acanthus ebracteatus occur as low, sprawling herbs and seldom climb. Young plants generally have erect stems, but lean and sprawl as they mature.


Plants growing in areas exposed to the sun tend to have spiny leaves. The 2 species can be differentiated by the colour of their flowers. Acanthus ebracteatus has white flowers.


Meanwhile, Acanthus ilicifolius has purple flowers. For both species, the leaves have smaller spines or no spines when the plants are growing in the shade.

The leaves often appear moist, especially in the morning before it got too hot, as Acanthus spp. excrete excess salt through their leaves. Sometimes, tiny salt crystals can be seen on the leaf surfaces.


Sea Holly fruits are small nut-like capsules.

Leaves of Acanthus ilicifolius and Acanthus ebracteatus are used to treat rheumatism, while the fruit and roots are used to treat snake bites and as poisons for arrows. The seeds are used to treat internal worms. Seeds of Acanthus volubilis are used for blood cleansing medicine and against ulcers.

References

• Chong, K. Y., H. T. W. Tan & R. T. Corlett, 2009. A Checklist of the Total Vascular Plant Flora of Singapore: Native, Naturalised and Cultivated Species. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore. Singapore. 273 pp.
• Giesen, W., S. Wulffraat, M. Zieren & L. Scholten. 2006. Mangrove guidebook for Southeast Asia. RAP Publication 2006/07. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific & Wetlands International. Bangkok. 769 pp.
• Ng, P. K. L. & N. Sivasothi. 1999. A guide to the mangroves of Singapore 1 : the ecosystem & plant diversity. Singapore Science Centre. Singapore. 168 pp.

Dungun Air (Brownlowia tersa)

The Dungun Air (Brownlowia tersa) is a nationally endangered mangrove associate from the family Malvaceae.


This shrub can be seen at several of our mangrove forests, including Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji, Mandai, Woodlands Town Garden and Lim Chu Kang.


It usually occurs in areas with sand or firm mud on the landward side of mangrove forests.


The branches are smooth and greyish brown. The simple, alternate leaves are lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate with a pointed tip. The upperside is dark greeen, while the underside is densely covered with a layer of coppery scales.


The small flowers are pink with numerous yellow stamens, usually open in the afternoon in small clusters.


The greyish-green fruits are woody capsules, and somewhat heart-shaped.

This plant is sometimes used for fencing or as firewood.

References

• Chong, K. Y., H. T. W. Tan & R. T. Corlett, 2009. A Checklist of the Total Vascular Plant Flora of Singapore: Native, Naturalised and Cultivated Species. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore. Singapore. 273 pp.
• Giesen, W., S. Wulffraat, M. Zieren & L. Scholten. 2006. Mangrove guidebook for Southeast Asia. RAP Publication 2006/07. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific & Wetlands International. Bangkok. 769 pp.