Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk

The Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk is located in a 6-hectare mangrove forest in Pasir Ris Park, a park managed by the National Parks Board (NParks) in the northeastern part of Singapore. In Malay, "Pasir" means "beach", while "Ris" means "bolt-rope", refering to the narrow beach.



Do take a look at the map provided at the NParks Website to find out how you can get to the boardwalk, and also where are the various entrances.


Dos & Don'ts

1. Stay on the trail! Wandering off the trail may result in trampling of the flora and fauna.
2. Bring water and some light snacks, but avoid eating or drinking when there are monkeys around.
3. Do not feed any animals, as they may become very dependent on human to feed them, and forget how to find food on their own. Some animals, such as the macaques, may even learn to snatch food from human.
4. Keep your volume down, or you may disturb the very animals you want to see, and they may hide away from you.
5. Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but foot prints. Bring your litter out with you, and never take anything from the forest. Poaching has resulted in severe reduction in the population of much wildlife in many places.
6. You may want to consider wearing long pants, e.g. light track pants etc. There could be mosquitoes.
7. Please bring insect repellent. Mosquito pads are usually not very useful for such outdoor activities as the mosquitoes can be quite aggressive.
8. Please bring a cap/hat in case of sunny weather, and raincoat/poncho in case of wet weather. I would also recommend bringing a few plastic bags to keep your electronic products in case it rains.
9. Bring a camera along, but remember to have a plastic bag to keep it dry in case it rains.

What to Expect at the Boardwalk

The mangrove forest at Pasir Ris is surprisingly diverse despite its small size, and a good number of nationally endangered or critically endangered plant species can be found here. On top of that, NParks has also done a good job of replanting more mangrove plants to increase the gene pool. Unfortunately, the area no longer receives the much needed mud from the rivers as they have been canalised, and hence the substrate is slowly firming up as the incoming tides deposit more and more sand. As a result, NParks had to resort to digging trenches into the back mangroves so that the plants will get the sea water. In the meantime, the front mangroves are slowly being eroded by the waves and receding tides, and several coastal protection measures such as reforestation and beach nourishment (using sand bags) are implemented. The Pasir Ris Mangrove hence does not only provide outdoor learning opportunities on mangrove ecology, biodiversity and conservation, but coastal protection as well.

At the Back Mangrove

The boardwalk at Pasir Ris Mangroves makes a good loop around the true mangrove and back mangrove zones. As the name implies, the back mangrove occurs at the back of the mangrove forest further away from salt water sources, which can be the sea or tidal rivers. The back mangrove is seldom inundated with sea water, and hence the species found here (i.e. the coastal plants) are not as tolerant of soaking their roots in salt water compared to the true mangrove species. However, the coastal plants here will still have to tolerate salt sprays brought by the waves and wind. As a result, many coastal plants have smooth leaves to allow the salt formed on them to be easily swept away by the wind and rain.

Coastal plants also have to adapt to the dry conditions in the windy coastal environment, being caught in the middle of land and sea breezes which increase the rate of evaporation. The dry conditions are especially acute at sandy areas which could not trap much water due to the porous nature of the substrate. Hence, many coastal plants go either extremes of having thick leathery leaves to retain water, or thin and narrow leaves to reduce the rate of evaporation.

Those growing on more exposed areas will have to tolerate the heat and radiation from the sun, and thus the leaves of many coastal plants come with a glossy surface to help reflect the heat and radiation.

Some of the back mangrove plants occuring naturally (not planted) and animals found along the Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk are highlighted here:


Once you get under the vegetation, you will probably hear the distinctive and continuous cicada song made by the cicadas (Family Cicadidae). The males "sing" by vibrating special structures called "timbals" on the sides of the male cicada's abdomen, in order to attract female cicadas. In addition to the mating song, some cicadas are known to be able to produce distress call (when they are caught) or courtship songs.


In the secondary forest and edge of the back mangrove here, the Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis) can be commonly seen. Interestingly, the plant starts bearing flowers from the top of the trunk, and subsequent bunches will appear below the previous bunch near the base of a leaf stalk. The leaves and fruits contain oxalate crystals and are toxic, and may cause burns on the skin when touched.


Nonetheless, some animals such as civets and hornbills are known to consume the fruits and help disperse the seeds, and the Oriental Pied-hornbills (Anthracoceros albirostris) is one of them. They are sometimes seen feeding on the fruits of the various species of palms here. Believed to have gone extinct in the early 1900s in Singapore, the current population is thought to be the descendants of those which have flown over from Johor to settle down on Pulau Ubin in the 1990s. Breeding was first recorded in 1997 on Pulau Ubin, and since then, several of them have flown over to settle down in Changi. Several pairs have also been released at various parks by NParks.


At the landward side of the back mangrove, the Sea Apple (Syzygium grande) also occurs naturally. It is commonly planted as a roadside tree for its shade, and previously it is also planted as fire breaks as it is quite fire-resistant (being a coastal plant, it has adapted to survive in the dry environment by retaining water in its trunk and leathery leaves). The wood is used for building boat and houses.


The Pong Pong (Cerbera odollam) occurs more on the landward side of the back mangrove as well. has pretty white flowers with a yellow centre, while the fruit is round, turning red to dark purple with age. The fruits are dispersed by water. The seed, sap and leaf are very poisonous. It is sometimes planted as a wayside tree, and the dried fibre mesh of the fruit is sometimes used in flower arrangement.


The Maunaloa (Canavalia cathartica), a common seashore creeper/climber, is also found here. Studies shown the beans to be highly nutritional, and scientists are exploring the possibility of exploiting it as a solution for food scarcity in developing countries. However, it is mildly toxic, and hence for it to be safely consumed, they are usually soaked overnight to support microbial fermentation to break down the toxins, and then boiled or roasted.


The Senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum) is a very common shrub in our forests and open areas, and they can be found on the landward side of the back mangrove too. The ripe fruits can be eaten but stain the mouth black, hence the genus name Melastoma, which means "black mouth". The young leaves are edible as well, and are used to treat stomach complains.


The Sea Daisy (Melanthera biflora) is a straggling to climbing herb with lovely yellow composite flowers, and usually occurs on sandy beaches, mangrove edge and sometimes inland open area. The leaves have lots of medicinal properties, and are used to treat cuts, stings and ulcer. It can be consumed to treat stomach pains and to improve healing after childbirth.


It is around here at the edge of the back mangrove on the landward side, families of Red Jungle Fowls (Gallus gallus) can be regularly seen. This species of wild chicken is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic chicken. The former, however, can be differentiated from the latter by the white cheek, white rump, grey legs, and the calls of the male which have an abrupt ending. They are usually found in wooded areas, forest edges and open areas near forests.


The Sea Almond (Terminalia catappa) is commonly found along beaches and at the back mangrove. It is deciduous, shedding its leaves twice a year, and the leaves turn orange or red before they are shed. The branching is somewhat layered horizontally, and hence they are also called pagoda tree. The kernel of the fruit is edible, and taste somewhat like almond, hence the common name.


Plantain Squirrels (Callosciurus notatus) can be seen feeding on the Sea Almond or Sea Apple fruits sometimes, or jumping from branch to branch, or even tree to tree! They eat mainly fruit and nuts, but are also known to feed on small insects.


The Kacang Kayu Laut (Pongamia pinnata) is a common seashore tree with pretty pinkish-white to purplish flowers and thick leathery seed pods. The oil from the seeds are used for illumination and for medicinal purposes. Recently, there were suggestions to use the oil as biofuel as well. The seeds and roots are used to make fish poison.


Sometimes, you can find Bird's-nest Ferns (Asplenium nidus) growing on some of the trees, which got its common name from its resemblance to bird's nest (with some imagination). The rosette of leaves traps dead leaves, resulting in a spongy humus that traps rain water, useful for the plant especially in the dry coastal environment.


Occuring nearer to the true mangrove area, the Sea Hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum), with its pretty heart-shaped leaves, is also commonly seen in Singapore. Interestingly, the flowers are yellow in the morning, but turn orange or red towards the end of the day, and will be shed usually by the next day. The fibre from the bark is used to make ropes and caulk boats.


And when there are Sea Hibiscus trees, you will often find Cotton Stainer Bugs (Dysdercus decussatus) which feed on the seeds. They got their common name from a related species which feeds on cotton seeds, and introduce a fungus which stains the cotton.


Appearing rather similar to the Sea Hibiscus, the Portia Tree (Thespesia populnea) has narrowly heart-shaped leaves.


And the Portia Tree is also the host for a closely related but much rarer cotton stainer species, the Thespesia Firebug (Dysdercus simon). They can be differentiated from the Sea Hibiscus' Cotton Stainer Bug by the black head.


Various species of Sea Holly (Acanthus spp.) can also be seen here. They got their common name from their resemblance with the Christmas holly. These plants can be found growing in saline conditions, and they are able to excrete the excess salt through glands on the top surface of their leaves.


The Mangrove Derris (Derris trifoliata) is a very common woody climber in the mangroves. This plant is poisonous, and pounded leaves and roots are used to stun fish, and also as an insecticide. The poison will be broken down after cooking. This fishing method, however, is not encouraged as it harms not just the fish the fishermen want, but other animals in the area as well.


Pasir Ris houses a few critically endangered mangrove climbers, and the Sea Rubber Vine (Gymnanthera oblonga) is one of them. The fruits of this plant usually occur in pairs, and are eaten in Papua New Guinea.


The Kalak Kambing (Finlaysonia obovata) is another critically endangered climber found here. The fruits appear like a pair of horns, and hence the common name "kalak kambing", which means goat's horn. The young leaves are apparently eaten by some as a vegetable.

At the Front Mangrove

True mangrove species refer to those that grow only in mangrove environment. They are adapted to survive in waterlogged and anaerobic conditions. The substrate they are growing on are usually muddy and unstable as well. That is why many of the trees have roots exposed to the air to take in more oxygen, and the roots often spread over a wide area to allow the trees to stabilise themselves on the soft mud. The roots also have to be adapted to survive in the saline conditions. Here are some of the animals and true mangrove species found at the front mangrove area:


The Nyireh Batu (Xylocarpus moluccensis), a rarer relative of the more commonly seen Nyireh Bunga (Xylocarpus granatum) which is also found here, is doing surprisingly well along the boardwalk. The various Xylocarpus species are usually called Mangrove Cannonball for their round fruits, which break upon drying or when they hit the ground, and the seeds are dispersed by water.


The Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) appear to like feeding on the leaves of the Niyreh Batu (and various other true and back mangrove plant species). This moth is the biggest moth in the world in terms of total wing surface area, and its wingspan is also one of the widest, up to 30cm.


The Buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha) usually occurs towards the landward side of the true mangrove habitat. It is also called "Blind-your-eyes", has poisonous white sap which can cause blistering and blindness. The tree is also deciduous, and the leaves turn yellow, orange or even reddish before they are shed.


The blind-your-eyes tree can often be found growing on mud lobster mounds, which appears like little volcanoes among the mud. Mud Lobsters (Thalassina sp.) eat tiny organic particles in the mud, and as they process the huge amounts of mud and sand to seek food, the processed mud is piled around their burrows, forming the little "volcano-like" structures. Mud lobsters play an important role of bringing nutrient-rich soil to the surface. Many other plants and animals live in or on mud lobster mounds too, attracted by the nutrients, and also, higher ground and free lodging (burrow made by the mud lobster) to get away from the sea water.


The Teruntum Merah (Lumnitzera littorea) also occurs here. It has pretty red flowers, and even the young branches are reddish in colour. The wood is hard and extremely durable, and is used for the building of bridges, wharves, cart axles, flooring and sleepers. It has a rose-like scent, making it popular as a cabinet timber.


An animal commonly seen on mud lobster mounds is the Tree-climbing Crab (Episesarma sp.), which usually dig burrows into the mounds or at the base of trees. During high tide, you may encounter many of them climbing up to trees to avoid the predatory fishes in the water. Tree-climbing crabs are primarily leaf-eaters. They are also called vinegar crabs, because the Teochews are known to pickle this crab in black sauce with vinegar.


The Mangrove Pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) can occasionally be seen foraging among the mud lobster mounds, in both the true and back mangrove habitats. It has been observed to feed on slugs, snails and small crabs. It is a rare resident in Singapore, and globally near-threatened due to loss of habitat.


Moving seaward, the Nipah Palm (Nypa fruticans) is the only true mangrove palm in Singapore. Also called the Attap Palm, its seed (called "attap chee") is edible is added to several local desserts, such as the ice kacang. The leaves are used for thatching. A sweet syrup can be extracted from the flower stalk in large quantities and made into palm sugar, or used in the production of alcohol (including ‘toddy’), sugar and vinegar.


The Bakau Minyak (Rhizophora apiculata), like other Rhizophora species, has prop roots and stilt roots at the lower part of the tree. The wood is hard and heavy, and is used for making scaffolding and furniture. It is widely used for making charcoal. This tree is often planted along fish ponds to protect the bunds. It can occur quite close to the sea.


Among the roots and in the mud, the Orange Mud Crab (Scylla olivacea), which is the mud crab often used in the popular "Chilli Crab" dish. These crabs usually feed on clams which they crush with their powerful claws. They are very valuable in the local market, and are used in various popular local dishes.


The Lenggadai (Bruguiera parviflora) is rather uncommon in other mangroves, but there is a good population at Pasir Ris along the boardwalk. The wood from this tree produces good charcoal and pulp. It is usually used as firewood or for mining and making fishing-stakes. The germinating seedling is sometimes eaten as a vegetable.


Another common mangrove tree here nearer to the seaward side is the Perepat (Sonneratia alba). Like other Sonneratia species, it has conical roots protruding from the ground. The fruits and leaves are edible, while the wood is used for various construction purposes, such as the construction of buildings, bridges, boats, wooden tools and furniture.


There is a nesting colony of Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) on some of the Perepat trees along Sungei Tampines. One of the biggest bird in Singapore, it can reach heights of about 1m, and has a light grey plumage. The long legs enable it to wade in shallow water or among tall grasses to hunt small animals, such as fishes, amphibians, reptiles, insects, crustaceans and even small mammals and birds.


The Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is often seen here too. This is a nocturnal bird, and usually roost in trees in the day. It has gotten its common name from its black crown. This heron lacks the long neck of the previous species (though the neck can stretch quite far out), but is still fairly tall (about 65cm). Like the other herons, it feeds on small animals.


Another rather common mangrove tree here is the Ceriops zippeliana, which was only discovered to be a new species in recent studies. The Ceriops, Rhizophora and Bruguiera mangrove trees demonstrate vivipary, a condition whereby the young plant within the seed grows first to break through the seed coat then out of the fruit wall while still attached to the parent plant. Since the mangrove habitat is a very harsh environment, these plants have adapted such that the parent plants prepare their young as much as possible to increase their chances of survival. The seedlings are dispersed by water. They float horizontally for a few weeks, during which the root (lower part) will absorb water and become heavier, eventually causing the seedlings to tip and float vertically. As the tide goes down, the vertically-oriented seedling will sink into the mud or other suitable substrates. Most of the seedlings, however, end up being washed ashore or eaten by animals.

The Rhizophora, Bruguiera and Ceriops, together with the Perepet also deal with the saline conditions in a similar manner. They can selectively absorb only certain ions from the sea water through a process called ultrafiltration. But this process is not 100% effective, and some salt still gets into the trees, and will be removed by transpiration of the leaf surfaces or accumulated in old leaves.


The Api-api Putih (Avicennia alba) and other Avicennia species, on the other hand, not only exclude salt from entering the plant, but has salt glands on the leaves to excrete part of the remaining quantity of salt. "Api-api" means "fire-fire" or "firefly" in Malay, as some Avicennia species are noted to attract fireflies.


On the trunks of these mangrove trees, various snails, such as the conical Chut-chut (Cerithidea spp.) and the round Articulate Nerites (Nerita articulata) above. The Chut-chut got its name from the way the cooked snails are eaten - by sucking the content out from the shell, making a "chut-chut" sound. The Articulate Nerites got their names from their shells' appearance - the shell looks as if it consists of sections united by joints (meaning of articulate in anatomy). Both feed on algae.


Many fishes occurs in the mangroves, and the Giant Mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) is one of them. This is the largest mudskipper species in Singapore. It is able to survive out of water by holding water in its mouth and gill chambers. It can breathe through its skin when it is wet too. Being a rather aggressive fish, it feeds on other small animals, such as crabs or worms.


The Spotted Archerfish (Toxotes chatareus) is yet another fish that can be seen here. This fish feeds on insects by shooting them down with water. They may also jump out of the water to get their prey if they are near enough.


And if there are fishes, there will be kingfishers! The Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) is one of the commonest kingfisher in Singapore. Most of the time, they could be well-hidden among the foliage, but you could often still hear the distinctive cackling call. They do not just feed on fish though, but insects as well.


Towards the end and beginning of the year, migratory waders can also be seen here. The photo above shows two Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus). They feed on worms in the mud by digging them out with their long beaks.


Pasir Ris Mangrove is perhaps also one of the most convenient place on mainland Singapore to see the Dog-faced Water Snake (Cerberus rynchops). This snake is mildly venomous and feed on small fishes. It sometimes hunt other small animals too. It is usually easier to see them at night, in the early morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and darker.


Conserving Pasir Ris Mangrove Forest

The entire Pasir Ris Park is currently managed by NParks, but it is still very vulnerable to possible development plans in future. There are also problems of poachers who collect plants and animals without an NParks permit, and anglers not disposing disused fishing lines properly. The latter is especially an issue and many animals got entangled in the lines and either starve to death or get badly wounded. There is also the rubbish issue, as the park users may not have disposed their waste properly and animals may end up eating or getting trapped in them.

As such, it is important that Singaporeans visiting this park should behave in a more responsible manner. It is important for Singaporeans to learn more about our various nature spots, the issues they face, so that we can better protect what is left. Hence, I always encourage those who visit my blog to read up more about our natural heritage from books or online resources.

It is also important that nature lovers do share your experience with their friends so that more people get to know and visit Chek Jawa. And if time permits, become a volunteer to help with conducting guided walks here!

At the end of the day, we also hope that more Singaporeans can feedback to the government if they enjoy visiting our nature spots and hope to preserve them as they are, so that the authorities will know that we do value our natural heritage and these nature spots will be protected.

Sensory Trail on Pulau Ubin

The Sensory Trail is a 1.5km nature trail at the southern part of Pulau Ubin, an island off the northeastern coast of Singapore. This trail allows visitors to uses their five senses - to see, touch, smell, and taste some of the plants along the trail, and also listen to the animal and bird calls. It was initially designed for the visually handicapped, was specially tailored to meet their needs - there was a guiding rope at the initial part of the trail; the authorities also ensured that the trail was leveled; and visitors can experience the trail using their various senses, and not just the sense of sight. And while the trail was designed for the visually handicapped, there is no doubt that other members of the public will enjoy a walk along the trail experiencing nature with all their five senses as well!


The Sensory Trail was eventually adopted by the Singapore American School and the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped under the National Parks Board's Adopt-a-Park Scheme in April 2000.


To visit the Sensory Trail, you will need to take a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to reach Pulau Ubin, and then towards the eastern side of the island from the jetty towards the coast guard's office. More details and the map of the island can be found at National Parks Board Website.


Dos & Don'ts

1. You may want to consider wearing long pants, e.g. light track pants etc. There could be mosquitoes.
2. Please bring insect repellent. Mosquito pads are usually not very useful for such outdoor activities as the mosquitoes can be quite aggressive.
3. Please bring a cap/hat in case of sunny weather, and raincoat/poncho in case of wet weather. Do not use umbrellas, as you will be a walking lightning conductor in the open seashore area. I would also recommend bringing a few plastic bags to keep your electronic products in case it rains.
4. Bring water and some light snacks, as the trail is rather long.
5. If you are prone to motion-sickness, remember to bring and take the medication before you board the boat.
6. Bring a camera along, but remember to have a plastic bag to keep it dry in case it rains.
7. Do not feed any animals, as they may become very dependent on human to feed them, and forget how to find food on their own. Some animals, such as the macaques, may even learn to snatch food from human.
8. Keep your volume down, or you may disturb the very animals you want to see, and they may hide away from you.
9. Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but foot prints. Bring your litter out with you, and never take anything from the forest. Poaching has resulted in severe reduction in the population of much wildlife in many places.

What to Expect at the Sensory Trail

The highlights of the Sensory Trails are the numerous interesting medicinal herbs, fruits trees, vegetables, ornamental plants and other useful plants planted or growing naturally along the trail. But more often than not, animals like insects, reptiles and birds are commonly seen too. Over here, I will just introduce a few of the many interesting plants and animals that can be seen along the trail.


Once you turn right out of the jetty, you will see a Collared Fig (Ficus crassiramea) growing near the beach. This extremely rare fig got its name from the stiff yellow bracts (modified leaves) wrapping around the base of the figs, like collars. The figs apparently take about half a year to ripen! Figs are often called the "no-flower fruits" by the Chinese, but in actual fact, they do flower. The fruit-like figs on the trees are basically a "container" for the flowers and the seeds. The flowers are pollinated by tiny fig wasp which will squeeze into the fig from a tiny hole at the bottom.


Near the entrance to the trail was this little shed used for storing the dynamite for blasting the granite at Ubin last time, with a beautiful fig tree (but somewhat eerie) growing over it. It was believed that before it was used to store dynamite, this shed was a breadmaking oven owned by a French family that lived and sold bread on Ubin like 100 years ago.


And here's the entrance to the trail. You can see that there is a rope on the left side of the trail. The right side of the trail here is basically a natural granite rock wall. Much of Pulau Ubin is made up of granite. Even the name of the island, "Ubin", means "tile" or "squared stone", as refering to the granite on the island which was used to make floor tiles.


There are a few Banana (Musa sp.) plants along the trail. Note that banana plants are not trees, since they do not have a woody tree trunk. The so-called "trunk" is actually made from leaves stack upon one another, and hence botanically it is a herb rather than a tree. This is a very useful plant - the fruits can be eaten raw or cooked; the flowers can be cooked; and the leaves can be used for wrapping food.


Up next is what was named the Pandan Valley, as the Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) planted on both sides of the trail created some kind of a "valley" in the middle! The fresh leaves are used to add flavour to many local delicacies, such as pandan cake, various local desserts, and pandan rice. Fresh pandan leaves (not dried ones) are said to repel insects as well, especially cockroaches.


Leaving the Pandan Valley will bring you to a little herbal garden, where lots of medicinal plants are planted.


The Creat (Andrographis paniculata) is a herb commonly planted by villagers last time. Also known as 穿心莲 ("heart-piercing lotus") or 苦草 ("bitter grass") in Chinese, this herb is used to treat sore throats by chewing the very bitter leaves.


The Fishwort (Houttuynia cordata), called 鱼腥草 ("fishy smell grass") in Chinese, has a strong fishy smell and taste. It is used traditionally as a tonic tea for detoxification and to treat pneumonia.


The Moses-in-the-Cradle (Tradescantia spathacea), called 紫背万年青 ("purple-backed evergreen") in Chinese, got its English name from the little flowers within the cradle-like bracts. When I was a small boy, my mum used to make herbal tea with this, believed to help reduce heatiness, relief sore throat and cough.


The White Mulberry (Morus alba), directly translated as 白桑 in Chinese, is used to feed silkworms in China. But it is medicinal uses for human too! The fruit does not only taste good, but contains antioxidants as well. The leaves are traditionally used to treat reduce heatiness and used to treat liver problems.


A few Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), a native tree, has also been planted here. This tree is well-known for the medicinal uses of its roots, said to improve blood circulation, increase testosterone levels and enhance sexual characteristics and performance. Studies have also shown that this plant has anti-malarial and anti-cancer properties.


The Aloe vera is a very popular herb as it is believed to have very good healing properties when applied over cuts, burns and other wounds. Recent studies have shown it to be toxic though, and may be cancer-causing. More studies need to be done on how badly it can affect human though.


The Cat's Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) is used in traditional medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and has been used to treat kidney problems, bladder stone and urinary tract infection.


The Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) can also be found here. The essential oil extracted from this plant is often used as an insect repellent, and also applied externally for its anti-fungal properties.


The Cotton Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) is a type of hibiscus, which interesting has white flowers in the morning, but the colour slowly changes to pink in the late morning, and eventually to red in the evening and the next day. The flowers and leaves are used in Chinese medicine to expel phlegm and treat inflammation and snakebites.


Within the compound is a small gateway, which leads to what we call the "Secret Garden". Unlike the Herbal Garden which has medicinal plants, this garden showcases food plants instead.


By the sides of the gate way are several Garlic Vines (Mansoa alliacea) with showy purple flowers. The leaves have a garlic-like small and taste, and powdered leaves are used in cooking and also made into a tea.


There is a small patch of Toothache Plants (Acmella oleracea) here. This plant got its name from its numbing effect when the flowers or leaves are chewed, due to an analgesic agent in the plant. Not only is it used to treat toothache, it has some antibacterial properties as well. The leaves are used to add flavours salads, or eaten on its own as a vegetable when they lose the numbing effect after cooking.


There are a few Pomelo (Citrus maxima) trees, and emit a lovely fragrance when they are flowering. The fruits are eaten raw, after the thick skins are removed.


Climbing on a shelter over a well are some vines of the Passion Fruit (Passiflora laurifolia), also known as Buah Susu ("millk fruit") in Malay. The fruits are eaten fresh, or used in drinks and desserts.


The Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a hibiscus with pretty pinkish flowers with bright red fleshy calyx. The calyx enlarges as the fruit matures, and can be collected and made into jam or boiled to be made into a red-coloured hibiscus tea. The leaves are sometimes eaten as a vegetable.


Some Lady's Fingers (Abelmoschus esculentus) are also planted here. And unfortunately, the grasshoppers love them too!


The Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior) is a huge species of ginger, and the flower buds are used in various local dishes, such as "Rojak", fried rice or fish curry.


The Lipstick Tree (Bixa orellana) bears rambutan-like fruits, but they are not edible. The seeds, on the other hand, can be made into a paste or powder (yellowish-orange in colour) for flavouring and colouring food. Extracts from the seeds have been used to dye cloths and even applied to the body and lips as body paints, and hence the common name "lipstick tree".


The Belimbing (Averrhoa bilimbi) is a small tree bearing sour fruits, which can be eaten fresh, cooked or dried.


The Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the biggest fruit in the world, with some fruits weighing as much as 50kg. The flesh wrapping the seeds can be eaten fresh, while the seeds can be eaten after boiling in saltwater. Young fruits can also be eaten as a vegetable.


Pulau Ubin used to have a few Coffee (Coffea arabica) plantations, and cuttings from the old trees have been planted along the Sensory Trail as well. The seeds are processed through several procedures before they are finally roasted, ground and brewed into the much-loved coffee beverage.


The Jasmine (Jasminium sambac) is another commercial crop that was planted on Pulau Ubin last time. The attractive and sweetly fragrant flowers are used ornamental purpose and for making perfumes and jasmine tea.


Together with the Jasmine, several other plants with fragrant flowers are planted around the same area along the trail, including the Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). The flowers open white in colour, but gradually turn yellow, and hence they were also called 金銀花 ("gold silver flower") in Chinese. This plant is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat fever, headache, cough, thirst, and sore throat.


The Nappy Plant (Claoxylon indicum) can be seen growing wildly along the trail. The large leaves were previously used by locals as nappies for their babies, while young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

If you have the time to spare, you can venture beyond the cultivated area and follow the trail into a small patch secondary forest. You will be walking under the canopy for this part of the trail.


The Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) can also be seen growing wildly along the trail. The seeds of this plant are used to produce a black dye, the roots, a pink dye. Both the fruits and the leaves of this plant can be eaten, though the fruits stain the tongue black (hence "melastoma", which means "black mouth"). While the leaves are edible, you should not eat too much, as they are also used to treat diarrhoea - in other words, there is the risk of getting constipation if too much is consumed.


The Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis), a native secondary forest palm, is also common here. It got its name from the shape of its leaflets, which resemble fishtails with some imagination. Interestingly, this palm starts fruiting near the top of the tree, and then subsequently fruits lower down. Eventually, it will start fruiting near the base of the tree, after which it will die. Most parts of the palm contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals though, and can cause severe swelling when touched.


The Great Morinda (Morinda citrifolia) was previously cultivated by the villagers here, and many of them can still be found along the trail. Also called noni, the fruit has a strong smell and bitter taste, and is consumed either cooked or raw. Some people believe the juice to be highly nutritious, but so far studies done on the fruit have not produced any conclusive results on its health benefits. A yellowish dye can extracted from its roots.


There used to be a small Coconut (Cocos nucifera) plantation along the trail and many of them are still growing well. The Coconut Palm is a plant of numerous uses. The coconut meat in the fruit can be eaten, while the coconut milk squeezed from the meat can be used in curries and various cuisines. Coconut water, from the fruit, is a refreshing drink and coconut oil extracted from the meat can be used for cooking. The sap derived from incising the flower clusters can be fermented and made into wine. The dried husk can be used for fuel and as a fire starter.


Eventually you will reach a more open area, where there is a mixture of mangrove, coastal and secondary forest plants along the trail.


The Sea Hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum) can be found here too. It is a common coastal tree with heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are yellow, turning orange or red towards the end of the day, and will be shed usually by the next day. The fibre from the bark is used to make ropes and caulk boats.


The Sea Gutta (Pouteria obovata) can also be found here. The leaves exude a white sap when broken. The wood is sometimes used to make furniture, but is not very durable.


Keep a lookout for the huge patches of Paku Midung (Stenochlaena palustris) though. This ground fern can form extensive cover over the ground or climb up trees. The stem can be made into a durable rope, and young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.


One of the most common mangrove trees in Singapore, Bakau Putih (Bruguiera cylindrica), can be seen here. Like the other Bruguiera species, it has exposed kneed roots. Bruguiera mangrove trees demonstrate vivipary, a condition whereby the young plant within the seed grows first to break through the seed coat then out of the fruit wall while still attached to the parent plant. Since the mangrove habitat is a very harsh environment, these plants have adapted such that the parent plants prepare their young as much as possible to increase their chances of survival.


The Api-api (Avicennia alba.), another common mangrove tree, is also found here. "Api-api" means "fire-fire" or "firefly" in Malay, as some Avicennia species are noted to attract fireflies.


The trail runs along the side of a tidal river, and more mangrove plants can be found here.


The Tumu Putih (Bruguiera sexangula), a critically endangered mangrove tree, can be seen here. The wood of this tree is used for firewood, poles and making charcoal, while the fruit is boiled and eaten as a vegetable.


The Gedabu (Sonneratia ovata), another rare mangrove tree, is also found here. The wood of this tree is used for firewood, and the fruit is eaten by locals, and hence the tree is often cultivated in Malay villages.


Other mangrove trees found here include the Bakau Pasir (Rhizophora stylosa) with its prop roots and stilt root. The seedlings are eaten fresh, while the wood can be made into charcoal.


Along the trail, there were also a few disused prawn ponds that were converted into fresh water ponds, and several water plants can be seen along the edges.


Here, you can see the Water Horn Fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides) growing among the other water plants. This plant is eaten as a vegetable in some places, and is also widely planted as an aquarium plant.


The Piai Raya (Acrostichum aureum), a fern found both in the mangroves and in fresh water marshes, can be seen at the edges of the pond too. This fern can grow as tall as 4m, and prefers sunny sites. Like other ferns, they reproduce from spores, and large sporangia cover the undersides of fertile fronds.


You will eventually reach the main road, Jalan Ubin, with kampong trees and kampong houses on both sides of the road.


You can find the Cacao (Theobroma cacao) tree here, and this is the tree that you get your chocolate from! The seeds of this plant are used to make cocoa powder and chocolate.


Many Durian (Durio spp.) trees are planted by the villagers here, though you would have already seen many in the Secret Garden earlier. If you come in the middle of the year or the beginning of the year, you may even see the fruits hanging from the branches!

As mentioned earlier, the plants are the highlights of this trail, but you can usually find a few animals as well.


Keep a lookout for the insects on the plants, including moths, dragonflies, butterflies, beetles and bugs.


There are usually several interesting spiders along the way as well!


On a sunny day, lizards, such as he Malayan Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) can be easily seen.


And not to forget the birds! If any of the trees are fruiting, keep a lookout for frugivorous birds like the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) above.


By the sides of the river, water birds, such as the Striated Heron (Butorides striata) may be seen.


And usually, raptors such as this White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) can be seen soaring above every now and then.


If you are lucky, you may even chance upon migratory birds, including some really rare visitors such as this Oriental Scops Owl (Otus sunia)!


Mammals wise, you can sometimes see the Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and Wild Boars (Sus scrofa). Please do not feed these animals as well if you see them. Once they have become more dependent on human for food, they may become more aggressive and even attack people for food. If we leave them alone, they will leave you alone too.



The trail eventually ends in Ubin Town, where you can get a cold drink, have some refreshing coconuts, or eat at one of the seafood restaurants.

The Sensory Trail indeed makes a very easy and enjoyable walk, and especially useful for introducing the original kampong lifestyle to children, or for adults to refresh their memories of their kampong days.