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.