Barat-barat (Cassine viburnifolia)

The Barat-barat (Cassine viburnifolia) is a nationally critically endangered mangrove associate from the family Celastraceae.


I have personally only seen this species at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Nature Trail's mangrove. Not sure if it can be found at our other northern mangroves. It usually occurs at the borders of mangrove forests and along tidal rivers.


It occurs as a small tree or shrub, with no obvious buttress or pneumatophores. The bark is greyish-brown in colour.


It has simple, opposite, glossy and obovate leaves. The leaf edge appears wavy due to the many notches lining it. Each notch has a gland.


The small, white flowers occur in clusters.


The petals remain even as the fruits develop, but eventually drop off as the fruits mature.


The fruits are small and corky, turning brownish with age. They are dispersed by water.

It is used for firewood, and the husk of the fruit is said to be used to stun fish.

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.
• http://www.mangrove.my/page.php?pageid=mangrove