MEDIA FACTSHEET A
Native Garden
The Native Garden is located at the western end of HortPark.
Layout of the Native Garden (Picture credit: NParks)
Page 1 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
The Habitat Collection, where visitors can observe the plants in their native landscapes, is divided based on the type of habitat - coastal vegetation, lowland evergreen rainforest and freshwater swamp forest, and mangrove. In the rainforest area, with the lush planting, undulating terrain and man-made stream, visitors can feel as if they are wandering through a real rainforest. The mangrove area showcases how mangrove plant species can be used in an urban setting, especially along freshwater waterways or waterbodies in Singapore.
Habitat Collection (Picture credit: NParks)
Page 2 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Visitors will also be able to learn about the various local and cultural uses of different native plants at the five new zones.
Native plants categorised based on how they are used – as medicine, food, timber or to enhance habitats for birds and butterflies. (Picture credit: NParks)
Food Zone
The Food Zone features a variety of edible native plant species that are often used in our local cuisine and traditional dishes. These plants form an important part of our heritage. Much of our food comes from plants, and we can prepare different parts of a plant in many ways. For example, fruits and flowers can be made into jams and syrups, while stems and roots can be used in soups and stews. Seeds may be used in desserts as well.
Medicine Zone
The Medicine Zone showcases native plants that are used in traditional medicine for treating illnesses and improving overall health. Some of these plants are said to be able to boost our immune system, alleviate digestive problems, and relieve pain, among other things. A few are known to have antiseptic properties, and may be used to treat infection.
Page 3 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Timber Zone
The Timber Zone displays native plants that are common sources of timber, valued for their hardness and durability, as material for building boats and boats, as well as making furniture and other wooden products. The wood may also be used as insect repellent and in making perfumes. Other parts of these plants could also made into products such as perfumed oils, and natural dyes may be extracted from the bark, flowers and leaves.
Bird Zone
The Bird Zone consists of native plant species that attract birds. These plants bear fruits and seeds that are food for some bird species. Their flowers also provide nectar for nectar-feeding birds. Native trees and shrubs also supply nest-making materials for birds, namely twigs, dead leaves or bark.
Butterfly Zone
The Butterfly Zone shows how native plant species form a vital part of our ecosystems by providing habitats for butterflies. It comprises a variety of native flowering plants that are food for the butterflies and their caterpillars. As a result of habitat destruction and fragmentation, some native butterfly species have become less abundant. Having these plants in a garden help attract rare or threatened species that feed on them. Butterflies would feed on the nectar and lay their eggs on the plants whose leaves are food for their caterpillars.
Flora seen in Native Garden
Spiny Lasia (Lasia spinosa)
The Spiny Lasia is a large and spiny marsh plant that grows up to 1.5 metres tall. It grows best in waterlogged soil that is rich in nutrients. Its leaf stalks are used as curry flavouring after the spines are removed. The plant is classified as Vulnerable.
(Habitat Collection)
Photo credit: National Parks Board
Page 4 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii)
The Chengal tree is well known for its good quality timber which is used to make furniture. It can grow up to 18 m tall in forests on well-drained soil up to 1,000 m altitude.
(Timber Zone)
Photo credit: Ang Wee Foong, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
White Gutta (Palaquium obovatum)
Also called the Singapore Rubber Tree, the White Gutta occurs naturally in limestone forests and other lowland forests. Its timber is durable under water, and is used in building houses and planking boats. It produces a white latex which is used for tooth filling in dentistry.
It is also the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the butterfly, the Malay Viscount (Tanaecia pelea pelea), the adult of which usually lays its eggs at the centre of the underside of the mature leaf blade.
(Timber Zone)
Photo credit: Jessica Teo, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 5 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Kuini (Mangifera odorata)
A tree from the mango family, it can grow up to 15 m tall. It has fragrant flowers and its ripe fruits are yellowish green and smell like mangoes. The yellow-orange flesh is sweet and juicy. The fruits are sometimes eaten unripe or added to smoothies.
(Food Zone)
Photo credit: Ang Wee Foong, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 6 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Jering (Archidendron jiringa)
Naturally occuring in Pulau Ubin, the Jering is a medium-sized tree which can grow up to 24m tall with a large, round crown. The fresh shoots are eaten as a salad with sambal belacan in Malay culture, while its seeds can be eaten or used as flavouring for food.
(Food Zone)
Photo credit: Hamzah Bin Osman, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 7 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Aquatic Alpinia (Alpinia aquatic)
The Aquatic Alpinia is a herbaceous shrub from the ginger family. It grows on sandy beaches and in swamp forests. Its flowers are pollinated by bees and the fruits are eaten by birds. It is also the host plant for the Chocolate Demon butterfly (Ancistroides nigrita maura).
(Butterfly Zone)
Photo credit: Vicky Lim Yen Ngoh, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Small-leaved Nutmeg (Knema globularia)
The Small-leaved Nutmeg is a tree that can grow up to 24 m tall in lowland primary and secondary rainforests, and coastal areas. It is a critically endangered native species and it bears fruits which are eaten by the Oriental Pied Hornbill.
(Bird Zone)
Photo credit: Ang Wee Foong, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 8 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Bamboo Orchid (Arundina graminifolia)
The Bamboo Orchid is a terrestrial species from the orchid family. Its natural habitats include open areas, grassland, mountains and rock places by streams. It is commonly used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes. Its flowers can be stir-fried and eaten, and is said to have a bitter taste, like bittergourd. It apparently helps to manage high blood pressure.
(Medicine Zone)
Photo credit: Boo Chih Min (top), Joyce Foo Ming Yen (bottom), florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 9 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Guided Tours
From 20 to 28 May, visitors interested in joining a free guided tour of the Native Garden can do so by registering for the session at the Visitor Services Centre @ HortPark. Please refer to the table below for more details.
After Biodiversity Week, the guided tours will be available at each Gardeners’ Day Out at HortPark, held every third Saturday of the month.
Date Session Start Time Registration
(On a first-come, first-served basis)
20 May, Saturday 1 10am At Visitor Services Centre @ HortPark 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
21 May, Sunday 1 9am
2 10am
22 May, Monday 1 9am
2 10am
23 May, Tuesday 1 9am
2 10am
24 May, Wednesday 1 9am
2 10am At Visitor Services Centre @ HortPark 15 minutes before the 25 May, Thursday 1 9am scheduled start time.
2 10am
26 May, Friday 1 9am
2 10am
27 May, Saturday 1 9am
2 10am
28 May, Sunday 1 9am
2 10am
Page 10 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Native Plant Sale
From 9am to 3pm on 20 May, the following native plants will be on sale at the NParks Pasir Panjang Nursery Booth at Gardeners’ Day Out at HortPark, whilst stocks last.
Biodiversity attracting Ornamental Edibles Lipstick plant Bamboo Orchid Mistletoe Fig (Aeschynanthus pulcher) (Arundina graminifolia) (Ficus deltoidea)
Seashore Ardisia Singapore Kopsia Kacip Fatimah (Ardisia elliptica) (Kopsia singapurensis) (Labisia pumila)
Long Leaved Beauty Berry Mangrove Fan Palm Singapore Rhododendron (Callicarpa longifolia) (Licuala spinosa) (Melastoma malabathricum)
Purple Simpoh Seashore Purslane Rambutan (Dillenia excelsa) (Portulaca pilosa ssp. pilosa (Nephelium lappaceum) (race pilosa))
Shaggy-Leaved Fig Blue Spike Moss Fijian Longan (Ficus villosa) (Selaginella willdenowii) (Pometia pinnata)
Malayan Ixora Silver Bush Cekur Manis (Ixora congesta) (Sophora tomentosa) (Sauropus androgynus)
Red Tree Shrub Red Hot Poker (Leea rubra) (Uvaria grandiflora)
Indian Camphorweed (Pluchea indica)
Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa)
Kelat Oil (Syzygium myrtifolium)
River Tarenna (Tarenna fragrans)
Page 11 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Singapore Kopsia (Kopsia singapurensis)
Bearing white flowers with a dainty red eye in the centre, this critically endangered native shrub grows well on waterlogged soils, and can be found in the freshwater swamps of Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Broken leaves and stems produce a milky plant sap, characteristic of the family Apocynaceae. This sap helps to deter pest attacks, but may cause allergic reactions in some Photo credit: Boo Chih Min, people. florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum)
The Singapore Rhododendron is a free-flowering shrub that can be found growing in the wild all over Singapore. Its large pink to purple flowers are pollinated by bees, producing edible sweet berries. These berries contain many tiny seeds in a dark purple pulp enjoyed by birds and other animals. Young leaves can also be eat either raw or cooked and tastes tart.
Despite its common name, the Singapore Rhododendron is not a true Rhododendron. It is also known by the Malay name Sendudok.
Photo credit: Ang Wee Foong (top) and Gary Chua (bottom), florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 12 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Seashore Purslane (Portulaca pilosa ssp. pilosa (race pilosa))
Found on Pulau Ubin, the critically endangered native Seashore Purslane has evolved brilliant magenta-pink flowers that attract butterfly pollinators. Its fleshy leaves help to retain moisture in its natural dry seashore habitat and the seeds are a food source for birds like the Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata). In addition to being an attractive groundcover, it is easy to care for, grows well in full sun and is quite drought tolerant.
Photo credit: Vicky Lim, florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Cekur Manis (Sauropus androgynous)
Native to Singapore, the Cekur Manis grows naturally as an understory forest herb and can be found on Pulau Ubin. Its slender, upright growth habit makes it great as a short hedge. In contrast to the small inconspicuous flowers, the red- capped, white fruit look like tiny, Christmas ornaments.
The flowers, fruit, stems and leaves are all edible. In Malay culture, the leaves and young shoots are cooked in soups or with beansprouts or eggs.
Page 13 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.
Photo credit: Jennie Tang (top) and Joyce Foo (bottom), florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Purple Simpoh (Dillenia excelsa)
This critically endangered, medium-sized tree bears large, bright yellow flowers with a dark to purplish-red centre of stamens. Rich in nectar, the flowers attract honey bees while the seeds and surrounding red aril are eaten by birds.
It is found naturally growing along riverbanks and freshwater swamps of Singapore, and has been planted along our roadsides as well.
Photo credit: florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg
Page 14 of 14 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as of 18 May 2017.